The body of an infant has been found on the side of a Marlborough road, sparking a desperate search for the mother and wider family.

Police said the body was discovered by a machinery operator on Wairau Bar Rd, near Blenheim, about 1.30pm yesterday.

Inspector Simon Feltham said a scene examination was carried out today and police were still working to understand how the infant ended up at the roadside.

He said police wanted to talk to the family urgently to offer them “the support that they require at this time”.

A rāhui was placed on Wairau Bar Rd, between Ferry Rd and Dicks Rd, by local iwi Rangitāne o Wairau earlier today.

It was put in place to “allow police and investigators to carry out their work” and will remain in effect until further notice, the iwi said on Facebook.

Anyone else with information was urged to contact police via the 105 line, or online at 105.police.govt.nz, quoting reference number P066438427.

Wairau Bar Rd has since reopened to the public, Feltham said.

More to come...