An Auckland city councillor and an Onehunga church are offering to claim the baby found dead at a recycling facility last week.
They say if the mother doesn't step forward, they are ready to give the baby a funeral and burial.
It's been nine days since the newborn baby girl was found and the tragedy has united the community.
"This little baby was a person. She was a wee piece of humanity," says Dayna Townsend, a lay leader at St Peter's Church in Onehunga.
Police continue to plea for answers, releasing pictures of clothes found in a plastic bag at the scene, which has led to some information from the public
"We are reviewing that information," says Det Insp Scott Beard.
But while the baby's identity remains a mystery and there is an urge to give her somewhere to belong.
"It's very important. It's what everybody wants in the end, is to belong.
And so this baby has no problems with anywhere to belong because she belongs in this community," says Maungakieie-Tāmaki Ward Councillor Josephine Bartley.
She has written to the police saying Onehunga will claim the baby.
"When I saw the word 'unclaimed' that really struck me. Because nobody is ever unclaimed. No one," she says.
"People from the community have offered to reach out and put their arms around her and claim her as our own."
St Peter's Church is offering to hold the funeral if police release the baby to them.
"As a community, we want her. She is a wanted child," says Townsend.
She says she never intended for her offer to get as much attention as it has, but is happy it's resonated with so many people.
"When something like this happens, it goes against our core values as New Zealanders and just as human beings.
"It is about offering hope in times of distress."
Bartley hopes the situation can provide some good news to people in lockdown.
"Even though this has come from a tragedy, the way people are responding has been beautiful," she says.
Police's priority, though, remains to find the baby's mother.
"While we appreciate the intentions behind this offer and the care shown by the community, due to investigative requirements we are not in a position to release the baby's body for burial at this stage," says Beard.
"Any decision about funeral arrangements would be made after all possible enquiries to locate her mum have been completed."
Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 105, quoting file number 210816/2825.
