A law expert says the Family Court's dismissed warnings before, like those raised about the Marokopa children. 

An inquiry's laid bare failures by police and Oranga Tamariki before and during the four-year search for fugitive Tom Phillips and his children.

Their mother repeatedly expressed fears before Phillips went on the run with them a second time, but Oranga Tamariki assured the Court, they were fine in his care. 

Auckland University associate professor Carrie Leonetti says such failures are well established.

She explained almost nothing stops fathers getting extensive, unsupervised access to their children - even mental health conditions, substance abuse and a history of violence. 

LISTEN ABOVE

A law expert says the Family Court's dismissed warnings before, like those raised about the Marokopa children.&nbsp;
An inquiry's laid bare failures by police and Oranga Tamariki before and during the four-year search for fugitive Tom Phillips and his children.
Their mother repeatedly expressed fears before Phillips went on the run with them a second time, but Oranga Tamariki assured the Court, they were fine in his care.&nbsp;
Auckland University associate professor Carrie Leonetti says such failures are well established.
She explained almost nothing stops fathers getting extensive, unsupervised access to their children - even mental health conditions, substance abuse and a history of violence.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Carrie Leonetti: Auckland University associate professor of law on the failings uncovered in the Tom Phillips report

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/15f73847-3d09-4ad6-9bbf-b4c700643d2a/transcript