significance of child abuse is greatly increased compared with households that substance abuse is not a part of the environment. However, there is also a suggestion that child neglect in the form of abuse is the result of poverty and family stresses. But it is not just that issue of poverty that causes the child abuse but the effect of the poverty on the parents mental well being leading to multiple stresses which researchers have identified as being predictive of child abuse. Recent cases Kahui twins This case is still unsolved with Chris Kahui (the father of the twins) found not guilty for the murders of Christopher and Cru Kahui. Both twins died June 18, 2006 from blunt force trauma causing brain injury. It was suggested that this injury was caused by either direct blows to the head or being thrown against a firm surface or severe shaking. The death of the Kahui twins stunned the New Zealand community and was one of the contributing factors towards the New Zealand response campaign 'Never Shake A Baby'. Nia Glassie In 2007 Nia Glassie died at the age of three, due to severe brain damage. Wiremu Curtis (her mother's partner) and his brother Michael Curtis were charged with her murder, Lisa Kuka (her mother) was charged with failing to provide the necessities of life and failing to protect a child from violence. The court report stated that Nia had been subjected to violence for up to two months preceding while in the care of Wiremu Curtis. This abuse was said to be part of Nia's day-to-day life and included two major incidents where Nia was hung from a clothesline which was spun until she fell and putting her in a clothes dryer and turning this on. On 20 July 2007 Nia received kicks to her head which ultimately resulted in her death. She was eventually taken to hospital two days later after residing in a partial coma for this period where she died 13 days later. The trauma inflicted upon Nia was widely publicized within the New Zealand community and her story became the 'poster story' to encourage New Zealanders to report child abuse happening in their community. Tahani Mahomed Tahini Mahomed died 1 January 2008 after being admitted to hospital 28 December 2007 due to failure to feed. Upon admission to the hospital her condition was upgraded to critical due to