"There are people out there that know something", say detectives in Pōneke/Wellington as they investigate an alleged family harm incident.
Two children underwent surgery recently after suffering "horrific" injuries, which police believe were inflicted deliberately over a sustained period.
Detective Senior Sergeant Rebecca Cotton provided an update on the case on Friday afternoon, saying the two children and their family were known to both Oranga Tamariki and Police.
"We have been at the address previously, but there were no concerns," Det Snr Sgt Cotton told reporters.
The injured children were interviewed today, but couldn't provide more details on that, she said.
"While I can't provide details of the [care] arrangements, I can say that both children are safe and we're working with Oranga Tamariki to ensure that continues," said Det Snr Sgt Cotton.
"We know the children were seen by other people in the community - and there are people out there that know something."
She said the information detectives are after "will be quite obvious" to people who have seen the children recently.
"We urge you to come forward and speak to us."
Det Snr Sgt Cotton revealed at the media conference that "a person" at the Waterloo property called the initial ambulance that took the children to hospital two weeks ago.
She said people frequently visited the Waterloo home where the two children lived with their mother.
The family is cooperating with police to "varying degrees", Det Snr Sgt Cotton said.
"We do feel that some people that have spoken to police have more information than they've already disclosed," said Det Snr Sgt Cotton, urging them to come back.
The children's injuries included but are not limited to: brain bleeds, lacerated internal organs, and multiple bone fractures. Detectives haven't yet put a timeline on when the children were first injured.
"It's an active investigation. We're gathering a lot of information," said Det Snr Sgt Cotton.
Touching on family harm, Det Snr Sgt Cotton said family harm is a challenge across the motu.
"I live in Lower Hutt, and like a number of communities and towns around New Zealand, we have issues with child abuse.
"We need people in the community to stand up and speak up for some of our most vulnerable people."
