Child, Youth & Family, the principal Government agency responsible for child protection says it should have done a better job protecting a nine year old girl abused by her mother.
CYF was among 25 agencies involved in the case. General manager Bernadine MacKenzie says CYF's conduct in the matter, particularly that of one of its social workers, was absolutely unacceptable practice.
The child's mother has been sentenced to prison for more than seven years and her father will be sentenced on similar charges in February.
Former children's commissioner Ian Hassal says child protection agencies need to be more child-centred in their approach to dealing with cases like this.
A report has recommended the Government make 13 changes to child protection measures.
The changes include more social workers in schools and better information sharing.
