The United Nations says New Zealand is not doing enough for its children and any progress is patchy and too slow.
A UNICEF report looks at the extent to which New Zealand is carrying out its obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and found 270,000, or one in five, children live in poverty.
The authors are particularly concerned about children's health, maltreatment, the level of engagement in decision making, and inequalities among different groups.
UNICEF says an all encompasing action plan is needed, with input from all government agencies.