New Zealand police have launched a homicide investigation after the discovery of the body of a newborn baby in a wheelie bin.

A woman is in custody after police made the grisly find in the well-off Auckland suburb of Freemans Bay late on Tuesday night.

Police say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the matter.

“Police acknowledge this will understandably be quite confronting information for the community to grapple with,” Detective Inspector Scott Beard said.

“Sadly, I can confirm the deceased is a newborn baby, and they were discovered in a wheelie bin outside an address.

“This is a tragedy for everyone concerned and there is a person’s wellbeing to consider here alongside the investigation, so we will ensure the woman gets the support she needs.

“We will be seeking CCTV from residents in the street and also searching other wheelie bins in order to secure any additional evidence that may be relevant to the investigation.”

Radio NZ reports the body was found on Renall Street, just off the shopping district of Ponsonby Road in the inner-city suburb.

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-AAP