Paediatric pathologists to examine baby's body

The body of a newborn baby was found in a red plastic bag in this stream on Saturday. Photo / Brett Phibbs

A team of paediatric pathologists will examine the body of a baby girl found in a stream near Auckland at the weekend.

The newborn's body was found wrapped in a plastic bag in a stream in Burnside Road, Ardmore, on the southern outskirts of metropolitan Auckland on Saturday night.

"It could be another 10 days before the team of paediatric pathologists complete their investigation," police spokeswoman Natalie Swart told NZPA.

"No charges have yet been laid but we're keeping an open mind."

Police cordoned off staff quarters at the nearby property of top harness racing trainer-driver Tony Herlihy following the grim discovery.

Detective Senior Sergeant Darrell Harpur said police had spoken to the baby's mother and found she was born at that property last Wednesday.

Mr Harpur said the circumstances surrounding the baby's death were still not clear.

A post-mortem examination carried out yesterday morning confirmed that the body was that of a baby girl of at least 35 weeks gestation, Mr Harpur said.

"We await the results of pathology tests and ongoing inquiries," he added.

Police wanted to hear from anyone who may have seen something suspicious while driving along Burnside Road between 4.30pm and 7pm on Wednesday.

- NZPA