Oranga Tamariki, police continue investigation into ‘violent’ death of Te Kūiti baby

• Police say a 10-month-old baby boy died in hospital from ‘violent, blunt-force trauma’.
• Oranga Tamariki is assisting police with investigations.
• Mayor says the death is a tragedy and urged anyone with information to come forward.

A neighbour heard “hysterical screaming” from the Waikato property at the centre of a homicide investigation into the death of a 10-month old baby.

Oranga Tamariki is assisting police with their investigation into the “violent” death of the Te Kūiti baby and The Waitomo District mayor has called the death a tragedy for the whole community.

A long-time resident of the Te Kūiti cul-de-sac said he was sitting on his front step on Saturday afternoon when he heard “hysterical screaming”.

“A car drove down the road and then drove out again,” the man said.

“When it left the screaming was coming from inside the car.”

Police and forensic team comb a Te Kūiti property connected to the homicide investigation into the death of a 10-month-old baby boy. Photo / Maryana Garcia

Detective Inspector Graham Pitkethley said the 10-month-old boy was unconscious when he was taken to Te Kūiti Hospital on Saturday afternoon.

Pitkethley said the initial examination showed the baby had suffered violent, blunt-force trauma.

“We believe these injuries were not accidental.”

The neighbour said it was a very unusual incident for the area.

“This is the safest street in town.”

A reporter at the scene said there were nine police vehicles parked there as officers began scene examination procedures.

ESR forensic specialists have also travelled down from Auckland to assist.

Police at a Te Kūiti property at the centre of a homicide investigation into the death of a 10-month-old baby boy. Photo / Maryana Garcia

Oranga Tamariki DCE service delivery Rachel Leota said the agency was notified on Sunday.

“We are assisting Police in trying to understand the circumstances that led to this,” Leota said.

The district’s mayor John Robertson said the death was a tragedy and would shake his small community.

“It’s a tragedy for the community,” Robertson said.

He said police called him last night to warn him about their investigation and said he did not have any information about the death.

Waitomo District mayor John Robertson urged people to come forward if they had any information. Photo / Supplied

Robertson urged members of the community to come forward if they knew anything.

“We know each other well and are a well-connected community,” Robertson said.

He said he was shocked by the news of the death and could not recall anything similar happening before.

“Nobody in the community likes to think that this sort of thing can happen in their community without knowing it,” Robertson said.

A police spokesperson said there were no updates on the homicide investigation this morning.

Pitkethley said police would question locals over the coming days.

“The death of any child is a shock to the community, and we know many in Te Kūiti will be affected by this.”

The baby was taken to Te Kūiti Hospital on Saturday afternoon. Image / Google

Pitkethley said full details of the baby’s injuries would be made public and the full extent of the abuse he suffered would be determined by a post-mortem examination.

He said the boy’s family had already been spoken to, including his parents.

“They are working with us as we establish what occurred in this young child’s life and how he came to be so badly injured.”

Anyone with information that could help the investigation is asked to contact police via the 105 phone service and reference file number 240608/8263.

Maryana Garcia is a multimedia reporter based in Hamilton, covering Waikato stories of national interest, and travelled to Te Kūiti for this story.

Rachel Maher is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. She has worked for the Herald since 2022.