The body of a newborn baby has been found at an Auckland recycling facility.
Police are “extremely concerned” for the wellbeing of the baby’s mother, who may need urgent medical attention.
Officers were called to Visy Recycling in Onehunga on Monday night and are currently carrying out a scene examination.
Auckland City Police Detective Inspector Scott Beard said numerous enquiries are underway, and the priority is to identify and locate the mother.
Police have checked with hospitals, and continue to work closely with them, he said.
The baby’s death was referred to the coroner’s office on Monday, and a post-mortem examination for the baby will be carried out on Wednesday.
Beard said these types of investigations can be “extremely complex” and police have a significant amount of work to do to try and work out how the baby came to be at the facility.
The investigation will involve going through hours of CCTV footage, he said.
“What would assist police greatly is for anyone who knows anything about this baby or the mother … to contact us urgently.”
Beard said police had specialist staff working on the investigation, and the matter would be treated sensitively and with respect.
A spokeswoman for Auckland Council said the agency was “aware of the tragic discovery” and is supporting the recycling centre and its people.
“This is now a matter for the police and the council will provide any information or support that they require.”
When the recycling centre was due to open in 2009, it was said that the facility would sort 70,000 tonnes of recyclables from Auckland and Manukau residents every year.
Anyone with information can contact 105, quoting file number 210816/2825, or anonymously via CrimeStoppers, on 0800 555 111.
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