Large rise in child maltreatment deaths?

I used this graph recently to discuss the claim that the economic reforms had caused an increase in child deaths from maltreatment. Unfortunately I didn't have statistics post 2003 although Family First has claimed there have been around 7 deaths per year over recent years which sounds plausible.

The Dominion Post magazine, Your Weekend, featured an article about Cindy Kiro. In it was this statement;

Of 88 children killed between 2002 and 2006, 48 were Pakeha, 28 were Maori and the remainder were Pacific Island and Asian.

Do the maths. That would mean child deaths averaged 17.6 per year over that five year period. Far higher than any earlier period.

I will attempt to find the source of these statistics but as the article was about the Children's Commissioner I would expect her office is the source.

It is possible the figures include young people (over 14) as well as children (14 and under) but this wouldn't make a great deal of difference as child deaths are clustered in the younger ages.

Perhaps police data differs substantially from NZHIS.