The uncle of Ruthless Empire, a Lower Hutt toddler who died of blunt force trauma, claims he asked Oranga Tamariki to uplift the boy and that the agency "failed" him.
Speaking to the NZ Herald, Ngatanahira Reremoana said he had significant concerns for the two-year-old, believing he was in "danger" and living in "disgusting conditions".
Ruthless-Empire Souljah Reign Rhind Shephard Wall was rushed to hospital in an unresponsive state on October 22, up to 12 hours after receiving "blunt force" injuries.
The toddler could not be saved, and police launched an investigation.
Speaking to the newspaper, Reremoana said Oranga Tamariki "failed our baby Ru".
In response to the claims, Oranga Tamariki's chief executive Chappie Te Kani said in a statement that Baby Ru's death was "needless" and has "been weighing heavily on my mind".
"Whenever a child is killed, Oranga Tamariki staff feel it deeply. We are an organisation made up of thousands of social workers whose life focus is to care for tamariki and whānau.
"Again, I would like to acknowledge the grief Baby Ru's whānau will be experiencing."
Te Kani said baby Ru was not in Oranga Tamariki care, but the organisation is "actively working alongside our partner agencies to piece together what, if any, support Baby Ru and his whānau were receiving at the time of his death, and if interventions could have occurred".
"We are in the process of thoroughly reviewing every interaction and decision that was made in relation to Baby Ru and his whānau.
"We must protect everyone's privacy, and we are currently not able to go into details."
He also said the organisation is working "proactively" with the police to support their investigation but wouldn't comment any further.
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