A new study shows Maori children account for nearly all sudden infant deaths in Hawke's Bay - and most of those were poverty-related.
The 13th data report of the Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee (CYMRC), covering the period 2012 to 2016 recorded nine Hawke's Bay post-neonatal infant deaths in 2016 - all but one of which involved Maori children.
Hawke's Bay District Health communities, women and children medical director Dr Phil Moore said over the past 20 years Hawke's Bay DHB had seen a significant fall in post neonatal mortality (1month to 1 year).
"However, a key factor in mortality, in this age group, relates to poverty. Hawke's Bay has a significantly higher proportion of children living in the most deprived deciles.
"Child poverty has a profound influence on health outcomes."