Child Youth and Family (CYF) has apologised to a Taranaki woman for placing her with a convicted rapist when she was 16.
The woman, who is now 27 and has not been named, was placed in CYF care before she was sent to live with an uncle following a family group conference.
The man, who had been convicted over taking part in a gang rape, sexually abused the teenager.
She was also raped by her uncle's friend, who has since died of AIDS.
The woman is HIV-infected, as is her first born son.
In a written statement, Ministry of Social Development deputy chief executive David Shanks says CYF let the woman down and is very sorry.
Mr Shanks says it was not compulsory then to carry out criminal checks on relatives caring for children as a result of decisions made at Family Group Conferences in the youth justice system.
Criminal checks for these placements only became compulsory earlier this year.
