Chris Kahui allowed to live with partner

Chris Kahui, acquitted two years ago of murdering his three-month-old twin sons, has been told he can now live with his new partner and their one-year-old daughter.

He was given approval by the Family Court under strict conditions after Child Youth and Family (CYF) said it had been working with the family of Mr Kahui and his partner Marcia Ngapera for 14 months to ensure the daughter was safe.

Until now Mr Kahui, 25, had supervised access to his daughter between 10am and 10pm.

"Given Chris Kahui's history, we continue to take this child's safety extremely seriously," CYF head Ray Smith said.

He said a "safety plan" had been in place since November 2008 and the child's maternal grandparents, who live at the home, had played a critical role in creating a stable family environment.

Mr Kahui would live with his partner and their daughter at Ms Ngapera's house with her parents, Tom and Margaret Ngapera.

Mr Kahui was charged with murder after his twin sons Chris and Cru died from head injuries in Auckland's Starship Hospital in June 2006.

He was found not guilty at a High Court trial, but was still not allowed to live with his daughter.

Under the new arrangements, CYF said Mr Kahui was not allowed to be alone with his daughter and must be supervised by approved family members.

"If any of the conditions of the plan are not met, we will take action to have Chris Kahui removed from the home," Mr Smith said.

The Family Court would review the case in six months and CYF staff would visit the house twice a week, he said.

- NZPA