A social worker at Middlemore Hospital told a court today she was concerned and spoke to the mother of Chris and Cru Kahui about the babies not having daily visits from either parent, while they were in the neo-natal unit.
Nadine Ingham, a social worker at Middlemore Hospital in 2006, was originally a witness for the defence but last week was called as a crown witness.
Ms Ingham gave evidence at the High Court in Auckland today, at the trial of Chris Kahui for the murder of his twin sons.
She said she met the twins' mother Macsyna King in May 2006, when the twins were in the neo-natal unit, to discuss concerns about the lack of visits by both Ms King and Kahui.
Ms Ingham said there were no `hard and fast rules" about visitation but ideally parents would visit daily, which was not happening.
"But we realise for some it would be a difficult ask."
Ms Ingham said during their meetings she spoke to Ms King about caring for the boys and their home environment.
It was during these conversations Ms King told her she would socialise once or twice a month.
"She said it was a good night if she got drunk."
Ms King made it clear neither she nor Kahui used drugs, although they did smoke cigarettes.
She also admitted, in front of Kahui, to hitting him, but not on the face or head, she said.
Ms Ingham said Ms King made the comments in front of Kahui who laughed and shrugged off the comments.
The impression she had was he was minimising the situation and it was "not a big deal", she said.
Miss Ingham said Ms King "struggled with the expectations" from the hospital workers and "found some of the staff comments very difficult".
Under cross-examination, Miss Ingham said Ms King had made it clear she did not like being told what to do.
Ms Ingham said Ms King had told her she would go out and get drunk every couple of months and make sure the children "were out of her hair".
Ms King will give evidence this afternoon.
