The thing is; every claim needs to be investigated; NO 'innocent' parent worth its salt would argue that a claim of violence against a child should be left for the parents to decide upon. As you stated, there were claims made. The department needs to consider the child's needs first and it should investigate the matter. It should talk to your friends and family and come to a proper conclusion before deciding on the best interests for the child. Whilst I can understand the frustration of being put in that position. In reality, you are insignificant, as is the mother in the eyes of the law. It's about making sure you or your wife is not going to hurt the child. You can't say we haven't seen children killed over and over again as a result of leaving it in the hands of the parents alone to work out the problem. I really don't believe the mother has more rights than the father. Your problem, it seems, is that she got in and started lying first. Work on disproving the lie. Pull in your family and friends and make a big stink about it until you get what you believe is best for your child's future. I know that's what I would do if anyone took my kids away. The department is not out to get you unless you give them a reason to.
Well here in Australia a man killed his wife for messing him around over child support and custody matters...He only got 4 years,as it was proven that the mother went out of her way to make is life hard.....Well some good things happen in Australia. FATHERS RIGHTS!!
I'm glad that in NZ we're taking "provocation" out of the statutes. I wonder if those guys who have ex-wives who tell such awful lies ever had an inkling she might be "less than reliable" before they shacked up together. Core values tend not to change so do your homework before you become too involved.