Overview of the Manuia Case
The Wellington inquest into the death of baby Manuia is revisiting what happened in the lead-up to her death and whether changes to the way agencies respond to family harm are needed. Manuia, a baby girl whose pseudonym was chosen by the coroner, died after suffering cardio-respiratory failure linked to traumatic brain injury and rib fractures. A post-mortem determined the injuries occurred on the day of her death, but how they were inflicted remains unclear. Her father was later convicted of manslaughter and additional assault charges against his partner and child.
From Criminal Justice to Coroner’s Inquiry
Following the criminal proceedings, the coroner reopened the inquest to review the involvement of various agencies and whether responses met the required standards. Two experts, Senior Sergeant Sharon Price and social worker Jonelle McNeill, assessed the agencies’ actions to determine if they were satisfactory. With the final findings anticipated, the Wellington inquest is now examining how existing procedures performed in practice and what refinements, if any, are warranted.
Current Focus: Systemic Improvements or Confirming Practice?
The hearing is exploring whether recommendations from expert witnesses need tightening and how they are implemented. A central question is how information sharing between agencies—crucial for protecting vulnerable children—has evolved since Manuia’s death, and what gaps may persist across the district.
The Role of Information Sharing
Since Manuia’s death, New Zealand’s Family Violence Act has enabled broader information sharing among agencies, though its effectiveness has varied. The inquest highlighted changes such as the Eyes Wide Open program (launched in 2018) to map family harm dynamics and better understand risk contexts. The transition from paper-based systems to digital platforms has also shaped responses, notably within the police.
Technology and Interagency Collaboration
An important area of focus is Family Safety Systems (FSS), a computer-based platform designed to consolidate data from police, Oranga Tamariki, Corrections, and Women’s Refuge. The inquest heard that FSS currently operates in only two of Wellington’s four areas, underscoring the need for a unified, district-wide model. The aim is a seamless, multi-agency response for families who frequently move within a district.
Models of Response: Whāngaia Ngā Pā Harakeke and FVIARS
Within the Wellington district, two approaches exist for responding to family violence: Whāngaia Ngā Pā Harakeke and the Family Violence Interagency Response (FVIARS). The inquest heard that the district intends to adopt a single, unified FSS and a multi-agency operating model to enable information sharing across the wider area. While progress has been announced, a clear timetable remains elusive, prompting concerns about timely access to critical information for at-risk families.
Interim Measures and Early Intervention
McNeill stressed the value of interim actions to protect unborn children and at-risk kids, including enhanced information sharing between police and the Ministry of Education. A program already piloted in 99 schools demonstrates a push toward early intervention. Expanding these efforts into the early childhood sector could help identify danger signs sooner and coordinate protective services more effectively.
Resource Constraints and Strategic Questions
One line of questioning at the inquest concerns whether the police should bear the sole responsibility for leading a district-wide multi-agency response, given resource constraints and the reality that many domestic violence incidents go unreported or are captured by other agencies. The inquiry underscored that policing is not the only solution; a coordinated effort across agencies is essential for meaningful prevention and protection.
Conclusion: A Multi-Laceted Path Forward
As the inquest progresses, the focus remains on a layered strategy: improving recruit training, ensuring family harm reports contain actionable information, and refining cross-agency protocols. The coroner’s assessment emphasizes that no single step suffices; the goal is an integrated, multi-layer approach that can translate lessons from Manuia’s case into safer outcomes for other children.
The hearing continues through the week, with representatives from the police and Oranga Tamariki in attendance, and ongoing consideration of how best to implement reforms across the district.
