Poverty and a lack of housing are being blamed for New Zealand's sky-high rheumatic fever rates

A six-year-audit published in the Medical journal has showed Northland Maori children have some of highest rates of rheumatic fever, in the world.

Maori children, between 5 and 14 years old, made up ninety-three per cent.

Junior Doctor at Whangarei Hospital Kate Wauchop (war-COP) says housing is one of the biggest issues.

She says the high levels of poverty will make it difficult to make any headway.