New research is highlighting the tough life of many Kiwi kids as their parents juggle multiple jobs to make ends meet.

A report from the Growing Up in New Zealand study shows up to a third of families with children under two are working several jobs to get by.

40 percent of families were receiving income from two sources, 22 from three sources, eight percent from four and more than three percent from five sources or more.

Associate director Dr Polly Atatoa-Carr says she had been constantly surprised since starting work on the project.

She says there's so much churn where these kids are living it is important not to forget that so many children are growing up in some sort of hardship.