Police investigate discovery of placenta

Hamilton police are investigating the discovery of a placenta found in a toilet at Waikato Hospital this morning.

Police were called to the hospital at 4.30am today after cleaners found the toilet blocked.

Detective Sergeant Mark Greene said there was no foetus found in the toilet, just the placental material.

It was not known if there had been a live birth or a miscarriage.

"This is what we need to establish. But it is also essential that this woman -- and possibly a baby -- get medical attention as soon as possible. She could be in distress and may be in need of urgent care."

The find follows the separate discoveries of two babies' bodies in Hastings in the past month.

A baby boy dubbed Moses was found in a ditch at the back of Hastings' Christian Community Movement for Christian Renewal centre on January 4. Moses' death remains a mystery and he was buried the city's cemetery on January 13.

The body of the second boy was found in a sewer drain in Cobham Pl on January 24. The premature baby, given the name Aaron, had been flushed down a toilet.

- NZPA