Deputy Prime Minister Bill English says the Government is committed to improving child welfare.
The latest Children's Social Health Monitor report shows the number of hospital admissions for diseases of poverty continues to rise and the most vulnerable children are five and a half times more likely to suffer abuse or neglect.
Mr English says the Government is focused on reducing child abuse and he has told a child health and well-being forum in Wellington that it is starting with the 5000 children in the state's care.
He says the state's record in caring for the children entrusted to it is patchy to say the least, and the Government needs to improve that before it tells others how to look after their children.
