The latest data on perinatal mortality - particularly still births - shows just one baby dies for every 100 born in New Zealand.

That's the lowest it's been since reporting began in 2007.

Perinatal mortality review committee chair Dr Sue Belgrave believes this information is hugely gratifying.

"The activity that's happening in the maternity sector seems to be having an effect on the drop of these deaths and that is great news."

However, Dr Belgrave also says there are areas that haven't dropped - like pre-term deaths - that need to be addressed.

"For a baby that is born very pre-term, there are some independent risk factors which include socio-economic deprivation, being Maori or Pacific and women who smoke."