Oranga Tamariki has confirmed a boy found dead in Frasertown, Wairoa, died in its care.
Police earlier said a 7-year-old died in the northern Hawke's Bay town on Sunday.
The boy was found unresponsive at his home address, and despite efforts to revive him was pronounced dead at Wairoa Hospital.
A police spokesperson said a post-mortem examination was completed on Tuesday, and the results of this will help determine cause of death.
Earlier police said the tragedy was being treated as "unexplained".