Aim Significant ethnic variation has been demonstrated in the closure of the anterior fontanelle (AF); however, to date, this has not been investigated in the Māori/Pasifika population. Methods The computed tomography scans of 163 individuals (116 Māori/Pasifika and 47 New Zealand (NZ) European) aged between birth and 4 years were retrospectively analysed to investigate the surface area (SA) and time of closure of the anterior and posterior fontanelles in New Zealand. Results The Māori/Pasifika group showed clinical AF closure (SA < 114 mm2) rates of 25% at 4–6 months, increasing to 47% at 10–12 months and 80% at 13–18 months. The posterior fontanelle was clinically unfused in 17% of the Māori/Pasifika group aged <1 month and in 7% of the 1–3‐month‐old group. No cases of posterior fontanelle non‐fusion were identified in the NZ European population. Conclusion This study establishes normal values for AF size and closure frequency for the first time in the paediatric Māori/Pasifika population.

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