Child Youth Family (CYF) is seeking legal advice over a report a Northland woman is planning to be filmed giving birth to her baby for a pornographic movie.
CYF chief social worker Shannon Pakura said she was "absolutely appalled" at the thought of a child's birth being used in a pornmovie.
The woman, who was not identified, made the claim during a TV3 documentary last night.
"While it is unclear exactly what is planned, child pornography is a crime and we want to do all we can to protect children from such exploitation," Ms Pakura said
"Even using footage of the birth alone in such a movie is an affront to the child's dignity and future interests.
"We are taking legal advice over whether there is anything we can do to prevent the filming.
"At the very least we would want to try to prevent the distribution of a pornographic movie featuring the baby.
"We plan to ask TV3 and other authorities for any assistance they can give in our investigation into this case."
Ms Pakura also questioned the judgment of the mother.
"Births are special, they're private...I'm appalled," she told National Radio.
"When she talked about the movie and she was asked about what the public reaction would be she said she saw it as an opportunity, it was different, her fantasy -- and there was no thought of the implication for the baby. I'm questioning her judgment."
