The state of the art of research on child development in New Zealand is reported in this paper. It is noted that while many courses in child development are taught in New Zealand, few incentives or resources for a viable and continuous child development research program are provided. Perhaps because of restricted opportunities for research and publication in prestigious journals, many of the authors who have written about child development in New Zealand have lived abroad, as either visitors or expatriates. Historically, there has been a link between medicine and child study in New Zealand; this link is continued in recent studies. Cross-cultural comparative research among the Maori and Pakeha provide background data for researchers on child development. Three bodies of methodologically sound, progressive developmental research presently exist. These include studies of children's understanding of factors determining achievement and children's attributions for failure; their ethnic awareness, attitudes and intergroup preferences; and ethnic differences. In addition, several studies, with various limitations and possibilities, have been conducted to examine juvenile offenses and adolescent behavior and experience. In conclusion, recommendations for the design of future developmental studies among New Zealanders are provided. (Author/RH)