Reform of the Well Child Tamariki Ora system is being welcomed

A Government review's found the programme - which provides wellness checkups for children from birth to five years old - is outdated.

The Health Ministry's found it fails to meet the needs of children who are Maori, Pacific, living with disabilities, in state care or who have high needs.

Auckland University developmental paediatrician Doctor Jin Russell says by age two - there's already large inequities in Kiwi kids' health.

She says early developmental and health outcomes are important, because they set the health trajectory for a lifetime.