A report has revealed the concerning reality of inequitable child and youth mortality rates in New Zealand

The Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee's latest data shows that between 2015 and 2019 two-thousand-666 babies, children and young people died.

It found Maori and Pasifika rangatahi, and young people living in poorer areas, are more likely to die.

Committee co-chair Matthew Reid says it boils down to systemic issues such as poverty and racism.

He says for example having safe, warm homes and sleeping environments is something Maori and Pasifika don't have the same access to.

Reid says this is something we need to fix as a society.