New 2026 reports released on the death of Malachi Subecz

Two new reports on the death of Malachi Subecz have been released in February 2026.

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Report on the coronial inquest into Malachi Subecz’s death

In February 2026, Coroner Janet Anderson released her findings into the death of Malachi Subecz. The report, An inquiry into the death of Malachi Rain Subecz, provides a detailed overview of the coronial inquest. It includes a timeline of events before and after his death, related information, and supporting evidence.

Summary of findings and recommendations:

• The steps taken to ensure Malachi’s safety when his mother was imprisoned were grossly inadequate.
• The absence of sufficient safeguards for Malachi in these circumstances breached his rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
• There was important information about Malachi’s safety that was not available to the Court or to the lawyer who was appointed to represent Malachi.
• The Family Court must be adequately resourced so that the court, and court participants, have the resources they need when dealing with matters that involve potential risk to children and can respond quickly.
• There were some significant information sharing failures by people and agencies during Malachi’s short life and improvements are required in this area to promote child safety and wellbeing.
• Changes made by relevant Government agencies since Malachi’s death are important, but not sufficient to reduce the likelihood of further deaths occurring in similar circumstances in the future.

The coroner’s report referenced the review undertaken by Dame Karen Poutasi, completed in 2022, which identified 5 critical systemic gaps and made 14 recommendations. The coroner noted the government’s announcement in October 2025 that it accepted all 14 recommendations as a step in the right direction. In relation to mandatory reporting of childhood injuries and suspected child abuse (as identified by Dame Poutasi), they noted that such a system’s success would be dependent on sufficient resources and funding to ensure that any reports of concern were properly considered and acted upon.

In a statement to Stuff, Malachi’s mother Jasmine supported the coroner's recommendations, saying that:

“Malachi and I were tragically failed by a system of silos - how many more whānau must die before these fragmented processes are corrected? As part of the work that has started, all agencies must urgently train and resource for child protection so that all staff understand the rights of every child to be protected. Please action this for Malachi - he is and will be forever loved."

Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad told RNZ that more action by the government was needed:

"What's clear to me is that the pace of change over the last few years since Malachi's death ... It hasn't been urgent enough. That's why I'm pleased that last year the government did accept the recommendations of the late Dr Dame Karen Poutasi, now it's crucial that there is urgent and continued focus on making real those changes. Collectively we need to remember that every child death that occurs by abuse is 100 percent preventable, and put simply we can't rest until all children in New Zealand are safe from this kind of harm."

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New report from Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Children’s Monitor

Also in February 2026, Aroturuki Tamariki published Towards a stronger safety net to prevent abuse of children. This is Aroturuki Tamariki’s second review of the implementation of the recommendations of Dame Karen Poutasi following the death of Malachi Subecz and a review of actions identified by government agencies to prevent abuse of children at the hands of their carers. In October 2025, while this review was underway, the Government formally accepted all the recommendations of the Poutasi report.

Aroturuki Tamariki’s first review was conducted in 2024.

The second review’s key findings include:

• Tamariki are still no safer than when Malachi died.
• Critical gaps identified in the Poutasi report remain.
• Oranga Tamariki is not always able to respond when it needs to.
• Collaboration between Oranga Tamariki and community organisations could provide an early check on safety.
• Changes announced by Government in October 2025 are a start, but greater priority must be given to keeping tamariki safe.

The review also notes that since Malachi’s death, a further 24 tamariki have been killed by someone who was supposed to be caring for them.

A joint media release from Aroturuki Tamariki, Mana Mokopuna | the Children's Commissioner and The Ombudsman called on the government agencies in the children’s system to act faster in wake of the review.

Aroturuki Tamariki Chief Executive Arran Jones said:

“The Government’s decision in October last year to accept all of Dame Karen’s recommendations, was a good first step. While there are some promising pilots, we need to see continued priority given to making sustained change.”

“Crucially, this review found that even if the gaps in the safety net are closed, a fundamental problem remains. That is the ability of Oranga Tamariki to respond when it needs to. Social workers need to be able to get in the car and go and check children are safe. We continue to hear from frontline staff across government and community organisations that this is not always happening when it should.”

Dr Claire Achmad said:

“Changes in our systems and communities must be made now to keep all our children safe. Between Dame Karen’s recommendations and last week’s recommendations from Coroner Anderson, the pathway for change is clear. Our nation’s children require the children’s system, and all of us at the community level, to actively work together to prioritise them and their safety. Because the fact is, all forms of child abuse and neglect are 100% preventable, but it takes all of us working together to prioritise children at every level of our society.”

Te Pai Ora SSPA Kaiwhakahaere Matua Belinda Himiona noted in a press release how crucial community organisations were to achieving change:

“The review emphasises the critical support role that community organisations can play in the care and protection system. Our members know their communities, they understand the issues and are ready and willing to do more to prevent harm. But we need to be well-funded and resourced to do this – which currently we are not.”

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Related news

New in-person multi-agency Hub

A new in-person multi-agency Hub led by Oranga Tamariki is now up and running. Along with representatives from NZ Police, Department of Corrections, Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Education and Heath New Zealand, the Hub’s focus is to ensure that for tamariki whose sole parent or sole carer is remanded in custody or imprisoned are safe, their needs met and their carers supported.

Established as part of the response to the 2022 Poutasi Review, the Hub is a new way of working. In its first week, the Hub responded to 28 referrals.

Programme Director Tamariki and Whānau Services Paula Attrill said in a press release:

“Those involved with this work are committed to ensuring we deliver on the intention of the late Dame Karen Poutasi’s work to address some of the system failures that led to Malachi’s tragic death. In many cases, the right outcome for tamariki will be for them to stay with a whānau member or chosen carer. Our job is to understand what’s happening for these tamariki and their carer, and make sure they’ll be safe with the right support in place while their sole parent or sole carer is remanded in custody or imprisoned.”

Chief Ombudsman John Allen said in the joint press release that the Hub was one of several cross-agency collaborations that highlighted the importance of working together for a better care and protection system:

“There are some ‘green shoots’ out there such as the new in-person hub pilot at the Oranga Tamariki national contact centre. Hub staff are helping to identify and address needs of at risk children when their sole parent enters prison. I’m also encouraged by what is happening in Whakatane, where Oranga Tamariki is working closely with a community-based provider Te Pūkāea o te Waiora. Community led organisations know the whānau well and are better equipped to intervene early and provide immediate support while at the same time taking pressure off the wider system.”

See also the Beehive press release from Child Poverty Reduction Minister Louise Upston on the inter-agency hub.