The rate of stillbirths is dropping for Maori and New Zealand European mothers

A report by the Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee revealed for every thousand babies born, just under a percent were stillborn.

The main causes were physical defects, unexplained death in the womb, haemorrhaging and premature birth.

Indian and Pacific mothers still have significantly higher rates of stillbirth than other ethnicities.

Committee Chair John Tait says overall the figures are very pleasing - but urgent improvement is still needed in some areas.