The mother of murdered Roturua toddler Nia Glassie has been denied parole.

Lisa Michelle Kuka, 38, was sentenced to nine years prison for her part in the horrific death of her three-year-old daughter - who died after being repeatedly kicked in the head by brothers Wiremu and Michael Curtis six years ago.
The Parole Board said Kuka, who was convicted of manslaughter on February 4, 2009, remained an undue risk to the safety of the community.

Her daughter Nia died in Starship Hospital on August 3, 2007, 12 days after being kicked by Kuka's then partner, Wiremu Curtis, and his brother.

The brothers, aged 19 and 22-years-old respectively, were jailed for 17 years.

Kuka was found guilty of her daughter's manslaughter on the basis of failing to provide medical attention for Nia, and by failing as a parent to take reasonable steps to protect Nia from violence.

The toddler was violently abused by numerous people at the Rotorua address, and subjected to  adult wrestling moves copied from a PlayStation game, being put into a tumble dryer and spun on high temperature, whirled on a rotary clothesline and made to bathe in cold water.

She was also  kicked in the face, hit, slapped, punched and jumped on.

Kuka, who has been in custody for five years, has undergone some psychological counselling and the Parole board said she had ''started to come to terms'' with the persistent and violent abuse of her daughter.

She has agreed to undertake further counselling, notably the Kowhiritanga Programme, aimed specifically at those that offended against children, and hopes to eventually move to self care, the parole board said.

Kuka appeared before the parole board last Thursday and will be seen again by the board in 12 months' time.

- © Fairfax NZ News