The level of abuse is the fifth-highest in the OECD, with an average of one child being killed every five weeks and 150,000 cases reported every year by Oranga Tamariki, the national children's protection agency.
[7]: 10 There has been extensive research undertaken in New Zealand regarding the reasons behind child abuse and understanding the factors behind it is crucial to addressing this problem.
The court report stated that Nia had been subjected to violence for up to two months preceding while in the care of Wiremu Curtis.
Upon admission to the hospital her condition was upgraded to critical due to head injuries consistent with being hit with great force.
[11] Duwayne died on 2 July 2008, following 75 external injuries from assault by his stepfather Mr Joachim that left him paralyzed on one side and difficulty breathing.
Duwayne's injuries were the result of a Mr Joachim's assault on 24 June 2008 and his subsequent neglect to seek treatment for the boy after the attack.
They requested information on prevention measures, actions and policies taken by New Zealand as well as services and programs to help those who had suffered from abuse.
[14] Launched by the Plunket Society (a non profit organisation working in the development of families)[15] and Barnados New Zealand (provider of child and family services within New Zealand)[16] it was set up as an education tool to help young parents know what the consequences of shaking a baby at the early stages of development were.
The campaign also involved a first-response community-based child abuse prevention trial that followed up on those families in which domestic violence had been reported.
It was endorsed by many organisations such as Barnados New Zealand and the Plunket Society but met with considerable public and political opposition.