Labour MP Phil Goff has written to the Minister of Police seeking an urgent explanation as to why Auckland police failed on three occasions to respond to a serious incident of domestic violence in his electorate.

"A battered young mother had sought sanctuary at an emergency house in Mount Roskill. Her estranged partner turned up, threatened her with a knife and smashed her personal property.

"The Police were called but did not send a patrol car. A further sighting of the man outside the house resulted in two further 111 calls and still the police did not respond.

"The manager of the home was advised there was no cars available. What other priorities could the police have had that were more pressing than protecting a vulnerable woman whose life was at risk?

"There was a history of past violence, with the woman losing her unborn baby after one assault and suffering head injuries in another.

"I am advised by the manager of the emergency house that this is the second recent occasion when there has been an inadequate response to a 111 call.

"The Minister must explain. Is it a lack of resources or poor priorities? If neither, what is the explanation? This young woman's life was under serious threat and the police response was woefully inadequate," Phil Goff said.

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