The parents of four children appeared in Lower Hutt District Court on Friday charged with failing to provide them with basic needs.
They were arrested after an investigation prompted by reports of disorder at the family home a week ago.
The man, 25, and woman, 22, whose names are suppressed, were remanded in custody until Tuesday next week.
They each face four charges of neglect, one relating to each child.
Several family members were at court to support the accused.
The four children, aged between seven months and four years, are in the custody of Child, Youth & Family.
