Murder of Nia Glassie
Nia Marie Glassie was a three-year-old girl from Rotorua, New Zealand. In 2007 she died after weeks of severe abuse by her mother’s partner, Wiremu Curtis, and his brother Michael. The case caused national outrage and a high-profile trial.
In 2008, Nia's mother, Lisa Kuka, was found guilty of two counts of manslaughter for failing to get medical help and for failing to protect her daughter. Wiremu Curtis and Michael Curtis were found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Nia’s cousin Michael Pearson and Oriwa Kemp were convicted of child cruelty but not manslaughter.
The case sparked major campaigns against child cruelty and renew ed calls for people to report suspected abuse. Nia’s image became a symbol of child abuse in New Zealand. Lisa Kuka was released on parole in 2014 but recalled to prison in 2016; other family members faced various charges and outcomes in the following years.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 20:11 (CET).