His little face is etched into our minds just like Nia Glassie and the Kahui twins. And this Sunday, Taupo toddler Moko Rangitoheriri is the reason people throughout New Zealand will march against child abuse.

But here in Tauranga there is a march – but not only for Moko. It's for all of the little souls who are victims of this insidious social crime that just keeps on creeping into the homes of young Kiwis, giving them no chance of escape.

Moko Rangitoheriri.

Tanya Birch and Haylee Dumbar are hosting a march in Papamoa this Sunday at 2pm – the same day ‘I Will March for Moko' marches happen in Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch.

'We've said to everyone that this march is not just about Moko – his case is current news at the moment and hopefully his story is raising awareness of what is happening – but this is a walk for all child victims of abuse,” say the two childcare workers.

We know the gut-wrenching details which throw us all in to a pit of despair. But again. Moko, aged three, was assaulted during a two-month period in Taupo after his mother left him with a couple while she was in Auckland looking after another child in Starship Hospital.

He died on August 10, 2015, with a postmortem examination revealing he'd been a victim of abuse for a number of months. Moko's carers, Tania Shailer and David William Haerewa, this month pleaded guilty to manslaughter at Rotorua High Court.

Tanya, a qualified teacher, and Haylee, a centre manager, work at Community Kindy Parton Road with little ones every day.

Tanya is passionate about putting an end to child abuse in New Zealand – and her and Haylee couldn't make it to the Hamilton march so thought they'd create their own.

'We work in a childcare centre; and in the past when I worked in Australia I saw instances of child abuse.

'It's horrible and it just keeps happening here in New Zealand today,” says Tanya.

'So we want to try and raise awareness of child abuse and some money to give to an organisation which helps with the cause.”

Tanya Birch and Haylee Dumbar.

According to childmatters.org.nz, New Zealand has the fifth worst child abuse record of 31 OECD countries.

Tanya says something needs to be done. 'Because I work with children – not necessarily in this centre – but I have seen cases of child abuse so it always make it a bit closer to home.

'We just thought anything we could do would be helpful.”

The Papamoa march starts 2pm this Sunday at Community Kindy Parton Road and finishes at Papamoa Domain reserve.

The community is welcome to join and gold coin donations will be collected which Tanya will gift to an organisation which help the cause.

The ‘I Will March for Moko' marches are this Sunday, May 22, in Auckland at Aotea Square, Victoria St in Hamilton and at Christchurch Art Gallery from 1pm.