The number of newborns that New Zealand's Child, Youth and Family (CYF) government agency is taking from families has more than doubled in recent years.
CYF is a service of New Zealand's Ministry of Social Development.
It took 66 babies aged under a month, including 15 at birth, in the 2007/8 year, Fairfax Media reported.
Figures released from CYF this month showed in the last five years between 144 and 177 babies, aged up to one month, were taken each year, including between 18 and 30 at birth.
The increase reflected improvement in practice, CYF general manager operations Paula Attrill said in a statement.
The agency was identifying at-risk mothers and infants earlier, she said.
It had more social workers in hospitals and had improved communication with health services and midwives, she said.
Societal factors were also a influence, including the greater use of drugs such as methamphetamine, Ms Attrill said.
The deaths of babies Chris and Cru Kahui in 2006 and toddler Nia Glassie in 2007 sparked public outrage.
Reporting from the public concerned about children had also increased significantly, coinciding with greater awareness of family violence, Ms Attrill said.
The number of notifications to CYF from all sources increased from 870 five years ago to 1800 last year.
Changes to the way police report family violence in 2008 also led to an increase in referrals to CYF and better agency co-ordination regarding support or intervention for families, Ms Attrill said.
CYF says babies are taken at birth if there are serious safety concerns.
Children are placed firstly with a family member if possible, then an approved carer.
