Call for more to be done on child abuse 

Maori leaders are being urged to speak out about a culture of family violence in the wake of another child abuse case.

A three-year-old girl remains at Starship Hospital after being subjected to repeated physical abuse by members of her family. She is described as being in a serious but stable condition in a coma.

Five people have been arrested.

Sensible Sentencing Trust spokeswoman Kelly Te Heuheu says Maori leaders are afraid to address what has become a secret culture. She says a lot of kaumatua have been offenders themselves, so it's hard for them to speak about the problem without sounding like hypocrites.

Te Heuheu says it is about time Maori leaders accept child abuse as a problem. She says it is appalling the Maori Party gags Pita Sharples whenever he tries to speak out about child abuse by pointing the finger directly at Maori.

In New Zealand more Maori children than any other nationality are killed by neglect or violence. From 1990 to 2001, for every 100,000 children in New Zealand 24 Maori children were killed, 12 Asian, nine Pakeha and six polynesian children.

Some of the high profile Maori cases in recent years include:

Three-month-old Chris and Cru Kahui died in hospital three months ago after being severely beaten in 2006.

Five-year-old James Whakaruru killed by his step-father in 1999.

Two-year-old Hinewaoriki "Lillybing" Karaitiana-Matiaha killed by her aunt in 2000.

Three-year-old Tangaroa Matui was killed by his step-father.

Pirimai Simmonds killed by his father in 2001.

Two-year-old Delcelia Witika beaten to death by her parents in 1991.