Newborn's body left in sewer

A second baby boy has been found dead in Hastings, less than three weeks after the body of the baby who police named Moses was discovered dumped in a garden.

The body of the second boy was found in a sewer drain about 1.30pm yesterday in Cobham Place in the suburb of Raureka.

The baby, who police have called Aaron after the biblical Moses' brother, is believed to have been less than a week old when he died.

Senior Sergeant Greg Brown of Hastings CIB said the body was discovered by a plumber when he climbed through a manhole into the drain after receiving complaints of a blockage.

Mr Brown said the body was lying naked, without any blanket or covering, in water at the bottom of the drain.

It was not known how long it had been there. "At this stage it could be anything up to a week, but in saying that it could be less than 24 hours," Mr Brown said.

The age of the baby was also unknown, but a preliminary examination yesterday suggested it was less than seven days old.

A post-mortem examination was to be carried out at Wellington Hospital today. It was hoped the results would determine the age and race of the child and cause of death.

Several sewers meet at the point where baby Aaron's body was discovered.

Mr Brown said the baby might have been dumped in a different location to where it was found.

"It's likely to have travelled down one of the drains."

He said it was too early to say whether the boy drowned.

The sewers that connect at the drain serve about 20 houses in Cobham Place, which is a cul-de-sac, and the street which it intersects, Cobham St.

The baby Moses was found in long grass at the back of the Christian Community Movement for Christian Renewal centre near the central business district on January 4.

Moses' death remains a mystery. He was buried in Hastings Cemetery on January 13.

Despite naming the second baby Aaron, Mr Brown said there was unlikely to be any connection to Moses. "It's more likely to be just another unrelated incident."

Mr Brown said the discovery of two dead babies in such a short time was upsetting for police.

"Obviously it's particularly unpleasant for the people involved but that's the nature of our job sometimes, unfortunately."

Officers spent yesterday afternoon speaking to residents of Cobham Place and Cobham St.

Inquiries were to continue today.

Police appealed for baby Aaron's mother to come forward.

Mr Brown said they were concerned for her safety as it was unlikely she gave birth in a hospital.

"She could easily be suffering from some sort of medical conditions that need to be treated."

He said the first thing she needed to do was get in touch with her doctor or a medical professional.

"The next thing is to contact us to resolve the matter."