The country is being told to get real about child abuse.

The comment from Merepeka Raukawa-Tait follows the Coroner's report into the brutal death of Moko Rangitoheriri.

The former Women's Refuge boss said if we don't implement change more children will die.

Raukawa-Tait said we need to be at the front end of the issue, instead of picking up the pieces after a tragedy.

"When you have vulnerable children, you obviously have a vulnerable family. You have to get into the home, that's where the change has to occur."

Coroner Wallace Bain recommended a compulsory national register of children from birth, an idea that has been rejected by the Minister for Children.

LISTEN TO MEREPEKA RAUKAWA-TAIT TALK WITH MIKE HOSKING ABOVE