Warning: Distressing content. 

It’s been more than 17 years since Nia Glassie died a slow and painful death following torture and abuse. Yesterday, one of two brothers convicted of her murder, Michael Curtis, appeared before the New Zealand Parole Board for the first time. Senior journalist Kelly Makiha was granted permission to attend the hearing. 

Michael Curtis is still using drugs and resorting to violence despite spending more than 17 years behind bars for one of the “most extreme” violent murders of a child – the 2007 death of Nia Glassie in Rotorua. 

Nia Glassie. 

The now 38-year-old sat before the New Zealand Parole Board for the first time on Monday as his 17-and-a-half-year non-parole period for Nia’s murder came to an end. 

The Parole Board heard Curtis had been involved in 43 prison incidents, including possessing drugs and fighting with inmates and prison officers. 

Curtis was eligible for parole but officially did not seek it. He will now embark on drug and violence programmes and psychological sessions before going before the Parole Board again in July 2026. 

Michael (left) and Wiremu Curtis. Photo / NZME 

Curtis was convicted and jailed for murder alongside his brother, Wiremu, who was at the time the 17-year-old boyfriend of Nia’s mother, Lisa Kuka, who was then aged 34. 

Kuka, a Te Puke kiwifruit worker, was jailed for nine years following two convictions of manslaughter after it was successfully proven she not only failed to protect Nia but also failed to get her medical treatment. 

Two others, Oriwa Kemp and Michael Pearson, were also convicted and jailed for assaulting Nia. 

Nia suffered three months of torture leading up to her death at the Frank St house where they lived. The Curtis brothers, Kemp, and Pearson were supposed to look after Nia and others while Kuka went to work. 

Nia was put in a clothes dryer and spun on a hot setting, hung on a clothesline and spun around until she fell, held over a burning fire, thrown at walls and dropped from heights. It was while the Curtis brothers were using Nia to practise wrestling moves that she was fatally kicked in the head. 

Those jailed relating to Nia Glassie's abuse and death (from left) Lisa Kuka, Michael Curtis, Michael Pearson, Wiremu Curtis and Oriwa Kemp. Photo / NZME 

But her death wasn’t quick. She was left for 33 hours before medical help was sought. 

Her mother came home to find her daughter semi-conscious in a soiled bed. She bathed her and put her back to bed before celebrating Curtis’ 21st birthday at the house while her daughter lay dying. 

It wasn’t until the next day that Kuka took Nia to Rotorua Hospital. She died 13 days later on August 3, 2007. 

Curtis admits role for the first time 

Curtis on Monday admitted he was responsible for the kick that caused Nia’s death. 

Parole Board panel convenor Sir Ron Young asked why he blamed his brother in the past. 

Curtis replied: “Because I was scared.” 

Parole Board member Dr Jeremy Skipworth asked Curtis why he did it. 

Curtis replied: “Just going through heaps of stuff and yeah I was just an idiot.” 

But his response wasn’t good enough for Skipworth, who sought a better answer. 

“With respect Mr Curtis, going through heaps of stuff and being an idiot is an incredibly inadequate explanation for some of the most extreme violence on a child, on a very young child, that I have ever seen.” 

He was asked what he thought would happen by kicking Nia in the head. Curtis replied it was how he was brought up, to feel “not worthy”. 

Bad behaviour 

Skipworth noted there had been 43 incidents in prison involving Curtis in the past 17 years, including 10 relating to contraband, 17 for prison behaviour and 13 acts of misconduct. 

Recent offending included having an oily substance consistent with cannabis in July 2023, abusing a prison officer in August 2023 and fighting with an inmate in May 2024. 

“There doesn’t seem there has been a change, even in recent times, in some pretty concerning behaviour – still using drugs, still being violent,” Skipworth said. 

Michael Curtis (left) with Lisa Kuka, the mother of Nia Glassie, in the Rotorua District Court dock in 2007. Photo / NZME 

Curtis said it wasn’t him starting the violence and he claimed he was being targeted because of his crime. 

He said as a result he had requested to be in segregation in his current prison at Rimutaka. 

Skipworth said he was not alone when it came to being targeted in prison for certain crimes and before he was released he would need to develop strategies to cope with aggressive behaviour from others without being violent. 

Curtis admitted he used drugs when it was available in prison. Skipworth acknowledged Curtis would start a one-on-one drug treatment programme in March. 

Skipworth noted Curtis had written a letter expressing his remorse. 

“The way people show remorse is trying to turn their lives around and by following the rules in prison.” 

He said he hoped to see a change in Curtis’ behaviour next time he came before the Parole Board. 

Skipworth asked Curtis if there was anything else he wanted to say about his situation. Curtis replied “Nah”. 

Curtis was supported at the hearing by a family member who, due to reporting restrictions, can not be identified. Details involving Curtis’ childhood and other personal details also can not be reported. 

Skipworth said Curtis would now undertake programmes to help with an eventual release which could be “many years away”. 

The third member of the Parole Board panel on Monday was Marian Kleist. 

Wiremu Curtis is eligible for parole next month. 

What to do if you think a child is being abused 

If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call police on 111. 

If you’re worried about a child and want to make a referral or report of concern, call on Oranga Tamariki on 0508 FAMILY (0508 326 459) or email [email protected]. 

Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.