New Zealand's infant mortality rate has halved in the past 20 years, according to a new government report on children's wellbeing.
The research from the Ministry of Social Development says 5.1 children per 1000 died before their first birthday in 2006, compared with 10.9 per 1000 in 1998.
Social Development Minister Ruth Dyson says there has been significant progress, with mothers now getting more income support and greater access to primary health services.
Head of Paediatrics at the University of Auckland Innes Asher says the most cost-effective way to improve the health of children is to immunise them against childhood diseases.
However, Professor Asher says 20% of children under five years old are not immunised.
