Commissioner for Children Roger McClay will launch an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of 12-week-old Te Paa Rewiti in November last year.
Mr McClay said today he was "saddened and shocked" to learn that Te Paa had died from pneumonia, giardiasis and probable septicaemia, and may have been
vomited on by his mother while in bed the night before he died.
The findings were made public by coroner Peter Dennehy in the Hastings District Court on Monday when he concluded that Te Paa had not received the care that young babies needed.
"The pathologist's report, which suggests that one contributing factor to the baby's death was giardiasis, clearly indicates that at some stage the baby was exposed to an unhygienic condition, possibly from a dirty dummy, nipple or the like," Mr Dennehy said.
It also said that Te Paa's mother, Georgette Rewiti-Davies, had the night before consumed liquor estimated to be "one large bottle of beer and two concoctions."
Te Paa's father, Quintana Pineaha, took Te Paa to hospital early on November 14 after arriving at Rewiti-Davis' home early in the morning. The baby died in intensive care at 9pm that night.
Mr McClay said the tragedy raised questions about why other people couldn't recognise the dangerous situation Te Paa was in.
"I'm saddened and shocked by yet another tragedy affecting one of our children, and am going to seek more information about it. We need to learn from this."
There would be reasons, but no excuses, Mr McClay said.
"It reinforces my view that not everyone knows how to parent, and some need to be taught. If anyone notices a parent not able to look after a baby, they should look after them themselves.
"The fact is that under our law, this baby had a right to be kept safe -- but he wasn't.
"My inquiries will be to see if anyone else knows anything else about the circumstances," Mr McClay said.
Plunket Society area spokeswoman Jan Tanfield said Plunket health centres throughout Hawke's Bay provided free services for mothers who may need help with parenting. There were also whanau care and support groups and other iwi support groups available.
Health workers were available to visit homes, and extra help was always there for families that needed it.
- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY
