Thirty-six charges involving what police call serious child injury and abuse have been laid against two adults who appeared in the Waitakere District Court on Friday.
Interim name suppression has been granted for the accused, in order to protect the identity of a nine-year-old, a seven-year-old and their three siblings.
The pair did not entered any pleas and will appear in court again on Wednesday.
The children have been placed in the care of Child, Youth and Family.
Police say the nine-year-old is receiving psychological and other specialist treatment.
