The case of two people entrusted with the care of three-year-old Moko Rangitoheriri, but who instead beat him to death, has reignited the debate over how to prevent child abuse.
The Government hopes a new approach to justice will break the cycle of intergenerational violence.
Tania Shailer and David William Haerewa will next month be sentenced for the manslaughter of Moko.
Sadly, the case is not unusual -- a child is killed in New Zealand every five weeks, almost always by someone they know.
Today the Government introduced a new approach to justice it says will intervene in the lives of offenders like Shailer and Haerewa to steer them away from a life of crime.
"We can keep punishing people for these horrific acts, but I would also like to stop these horrific acts having occurred," Justice Minister Amy Adams says.
Ms Adams wants to mine data from the tax, benefit and justice systems and use it to help vulnerable young people at risk of becoming criminals.
For example, analysis has found those who commit assault are less likely to reoffend if they're punished with a fine, instead of community work.
Ms Adams says early intervention is best.
"Our best opportunity to work with these young people is long before they end up anywhere near the criminal justice system."
But data and intervention can't solve everything. In this case, Child Youth and Family were not aware of Moko's situation, because his care was arranged by family.
Social Development Minister Anne Tolley says if people have a concern about a child, they should ring Child, Youth and Family.
But Labour's Kelvin Davis says more needs to be done.
"Our children are our most vulnerable people. We need to do more, and we can't sit back and say, 'This is just the Government's fault'. Iwi, hapū [and] whānau have to step up to the plate."
Child Poverty Action Group says today's changes won't go far enough to protect our most vulnerable kids, and the best way to do that is to invest in families and communities at risk.
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