Statement about Marokopa children, 8 September 2025

To be attributed to Children’s Commissioner, Dr Claire Achmad:

“Three children are at the heart of the situation that unfolded this morning, and which is ongoing. The death of their father will be a tragedy for these children, and for their wider whānau.

Police have said that locating the two missing children and bringing them back safely is their priority, which I strongly welcome. I hope they are found safely as soon as possible.

It’s crucial that intensive support continues to be wrapped around the child who was found this morning, to meet their specific needs and support their wellbeing.

All three children are going to need ongoing, tailored care and support, as well as time to process what has happened and reintegrate back into their community. It will be so important that the adults in their lives – including from government agencies that are providing support – listen carefully to what they say, to understand their experiences and to meet their particular needs over the coming weeks, months and years.

I encourage us all to let the whānau involved, and the agencies supporting them, do this important work without speculation or interference. Keeping the children and their rights and particular needs central is crucial, including respecting their privacy.

It’s my hope that the children themselves, their whānau and the Marokopa community are given the space and privacy they’ll need to recover from this tragic situation. Meeting the needs and care of the children is kept to the absolute forefront.”

ends

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