New Zealand Police have reopened 54 cases of child protection complaints and adult sexual assaults after a review found the investigations failed to meet official standards. According to Assistant Commissioner District Support Tusha Penny, 40 of these cases specifically involve child protection, raising concerns that children may have remained in dangerous environments while the files were shelved. This development follows the discovery of a historical sexual abuse case that sat uninvestigated for several years under the supervision of a senior officer.
Police Review Reveals 40 Child Protection Failures
The current investigation began after police supervisors identified a file involving historical sexual abuse that had remained untouched for years. Assistant Commissioner Tusha Penny told RNZ that a subsequent review of 54 cases revealed that the work did not meet police processes or standards. Of these, 40 cases related to child protection, 12 to adult sexual assault, and two to other crimes.
Penny stated she cannot rule out the possibility that alleged offenders reoffended while these cases were filed. She emphasized that the police will not “stand back and hide anything” and are prioritizing victims through a transparent, comprehensive investigation of each case.
Officials Warn of Ongoing Risk to Children
The revelation that child protection files were closed without proper action has drawn sharp criticism from child welfare advocates. Chief Victim’s Advisor Ruth Money described her reaction as “visceral” after police informed her that children might have been left at risk. Money characterized the situation as some of the worst risk to children she can remember, stating it is “utterly devastating” when a complaint involving a shadow of risk to a child is filed away.
Children’s Commissioner Dr. Claire Achmad expressed “deep concern” over the potential implications for children’s rights. Achmad noted that every disclosure of abuse by a young person must be thoroughly investigated to maintain trust in the justice system. While she has received assurances from police that this is not a nationwide systemic issue, she continues to seek a full understanding of the scale of the failure.
Investigation into Detective Inspector Kevan Verry
The failures are linked to the handling of cases by Detective Inspector Kevan Verry, a 30-year veteran of the force currently working in the National Gang Unit in Wellington. While Verry acted as a second-level supervisor—meaning he received files with recommendations rather than conducting the primary investigations—the cases under his purview failed to proceed to court.
Verry is currently on special leave. In a response to RNZ, he stated he cannot comment while an employment investigation is ongoing and noted that police have not yet provided him with specific details of the cases involved.
Agency Responses and Oversight
The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) confirmed it was notified of the matter on June 2 and is currently overseeing the police investigation. To ensure accountability, the Police have committed to providing Dr. Claire Achmad with monthly briefings.
Oranga Tamariki (OT), the ministry for children, is coordinating with police to determine the potential impact on families and the level of support needed for those involved in the reopened cases. Deputy Chief Executive Thomas Ronan stated the agency is working to understand the role it may have played in these identified cases, though he declined further comment due to the active nature of the police investigations.
- Total Reopened Cases: 54
- Child Protection Cases: 40
- Adult Sexual Assault Cases: 12
- Other Crimes: 2
- Status of Prosecutions: None of the identified files had previously gone to prosecution.
What Happens Next
Police are now conducting a rapid comprehensive review to secure the safety of victims and determine the current risk posed by alleged perpetrators. The focus remains on identifying whether children are currently in danger and ensuring that all historical disclosures are properly processed. The IPCA will continue to monitor the internal police probe to ensure transparency and adherence to legal standards.
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