Placentas dumped near Raglan

Photo / Martin Sykes

Police hold grave concerns for twin babies after finding human placentas in a sacred Maori gorge near Raglan.

They have questioned health professionals and are investigating if the mother was connected to a conservative Waikato church.

Officers discovered the placentas "loosely discarded" in the Te Toto Gorge, 6km southwest of the Waikato surfing town. They want anyone with information to contact them.

A Maori elder said she was "mystified" why anyone would leave placentas in the area. It has special cultural significance to the Raglan hapu of Tainui. Angeline Greensill said the gorge was a "dangerous place".

"We have never encouraged people to go down there."

A member of a Waikato church said police had been making inquiries at certain churches to try to find the mother.