The Government says it will closely study a report recommending an alert system for babies born to families with a history of abuse.
The report was released on Wednesday by the Experts Forum on Child Abuse, which was asked to identify measures that will stop child abuse and neglect.
Between 2008 and 2009, Child Youth and Family dealt with 19,596 new cases of substantiated child abuse.
A consultant paediatrician at Starship Hospital Patrick Kelly, who is on the forum, says one idea is for abuse cases to remain open and available to those who work with families.
"Part of the issue is about how do we develop a culture where information flows in several directions and where people who work, for example, in health or in education have the ability to access information."
Dr Kelly says tracking mothers of children born into families with a history of abuse could reduce harm by at least a third.
The Minister for Social Development and Employment, Paula Bennett, says the report is being reviewed, but at first glance a tracking system is a good idea.
"It doesn't mean necessarily that the child is automatically removed, it just means that it does raise a flag. We monitor that child, we put the right supports around that family."
Ms Bennett says if she can prevent child abuse by tracking mothers who have hurt children before, she will do it.
The minister says there is a real concern that despite a range of agencies dealing with at-risk children and their families, too many children still slip through the gaps.
