A post-mortem will be carried out on Friday on a baby found dead in south Auckland.
The body of the newborn was discovered by a member of the public in Mangere Bridge around 8:30am on Thursday.
Detective Senior Sergeant Karen Bright said on Thursday anyone coming forward with information "can do so in confidence", and police's "main concern as this stage is the welfare of the mother".
Neighbour Andrew Fong told Newshub there are often parties and people drinking in the reserve, but Wednesday night was quiet.
He says people use the park as a dumping ground for all kinds of things.
"People dump their cats, their dogs, kittens, everything from TVs to couches. It's a good place to dump stuff, isn't it?
"But it's a human being. You treat people differently from animals. I've rescued kittens and puppies from the back, but it's a kid."
Labour Mangere MP Su'a William Sio called the incident "very sad".
"In my experience, this sort of thing is usually a result of a young mother feeling like she has no choice but to abandon the baby, as she isn't confident in her ability to look after the baby and she has no support from family members or the father," he told the New Zealand Herald.
Police are urging anyone with information to contact Counties Manukau Police on (09) 261 1321, or to anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Newshub.
