Children’s Safety Is Paramount
Tau Huirama, Jigsaw CEO, Strategic Relationships, says the safety of our children is paramount.
Mr Huirama’s statement follows news that two men have been convicted of murdering toddler Nia Glassie, while Nia’s
mother has been convicted of manslaughter.
Mr Huirama is pleased that a process has taken place and a result has been achieved.
“The many horrific acts of abuse: the clothes line, the clothes dryer and booting her across the room have shocked us
all. The children and neighbors witnessing this and the other unmentionable acts of torture and abuse would have found
this very difficult. In the many years of working in this field I never get used to, or stop getting emotional, about
horrific cases like this.
Mr Huirama thinks this is a time to be respectful of Nia’s death.
“This is a time that many people do come together in the memory of Nia Glassie and to think about our own children; to
motivate us to be part of a society to stop the flow of child abuse.”
Mr Huirama wants people to think what they can do to help children in their community.
“Challenge and intervene when you see or hear a baby howling. Make respectful enquiries, you never know it could be
alright, or you may just have interrupted a possibly flurry of abuse.”
“It’s not OK to be abusive, and it should be OK to respectfully enquire about a child’s wellbeing. We must make the life
of all New Zealand children all our concern.”
ENDS