Grainne Moss has taken up her new role as chief executive designate of the New Ministry for Vulnerable Children, which will replace Child Youth and Family in April next year.
New Zealand has a shameful record of child abuse, with one child killed every five weeks, most of whom are under five.
Around 90 percent of those deaths are carried out by someone who knew the child.
New Zealand has the fifth worst child abuse record out of 31 OECD countries.
Child Youth and Family has been continuously reviewed since its inception, and has been restructured at least 14 times since 1998.
Ms Moss joined Paul Henry for her first interview since taking up her position.
