That is the finding of the government's Child and Mortality Review Committee, which analysed 2666 children aged between 28 days and 24 years, who died between 2015 and 2019.

The committee, which is part of the Health Quality and Safety Commission, also found the mortality rates reflect a significant inequity, with Maori and Pacific children far more likely to die.

The committee's co-chair, Matthew Reid, said child mortality had been steadily reducing - but this appears to have stopped.

"Strong progress was made in the past, that momentum has been lost.

"In recent times we've just seen that mortality rates have not been reducing as much as they did earlier on. We've described it as stagnant." Read more

Of the 27 children who have died since April 2017, five died by suicide, 15 from natural causes, five from accidents, and two as a result of child abuse, homicide or manslaughter.

University of Otago associate social work professor Nicola Atwool told the Herald the numbers reflect how the care system is struggling.

"The high suicide rate, there are a number of explanations, and often people blame the experiences that led to younger people being in care for that vulnerability. But in actual fact, it's usually a combination." Read more