Defendants face angry Rotorua protesters
More than 60 people packed the public gallery of the court's largest courtroom to see the four accused - Nia's cousin Michael Paul Pearson, 19; her stepfather's father, William Curtis, 48; William's son Michael William Curtis, 21; and Michael Curtis' partner, Oriwa Terrina Kemp, 17.
The four entered no plea and were remanded in custody until August 8 for a bail hearing.
The fifth accused, Nia's stepfather, Wiremu Curtis, 17, is due in the district court on Monday.
Kemp cried throughout the proceedings, while William Curtis, who faces the most serious charge of abusing Nia between March and July, attempted to placate her. Michael Curtis had a black eye.
All women to be questioned about abuse when go to hospital
It comes after a day of mounting anger over the latest two youngsters to be put in hospital by their families, and frustration over the lack of solutions.
Rotorua 3-year-old Nia Glassie remained in Starship hospital's high dependence unit last night. It is understood
she has been taken off a ventilator and is in a serious but stable condition.
Whilst in hospital women will be asked these three questions to see if she may have been abused:
* Has anybody hurt or threatened you?
* Have you ever felt controlled or always criticised?
* Have you been asked to do anything sexual that you didn't wat to do?
A woman who answers "yes" to any of the first three questions is then asked a series of further questions including whether she has children at home and whether she is pregnant.
