UPDATED 8.04AM Social providers are concerned a cultural issue may have led to a women leaving her newborn baby in a reserve.

A member of the public found the dead baby's body about 8.30 yesterday morning at a reserve in Mangere Bridge.

Anglican Trust for Women and Children CEO Judy Matai'a told Rachel Smalley they can't be certain, but the area's demographics suggest that might be the case.

She said if cultural restrictions and taboos have anything to do with causing shame or fear, they need to be talked about.

She said that's important because the situation has resulted in the worst possible scenario - loss of a life.

Ms Matai'a is encouraging South Auckland families to ask each other questions.

"It's a tricky discussion to have, but people need to start talking" she said.

"It's so raw for the community, it's going to be really raw and devastating for the family of the girl, who like you say probably didn't know that she even was pregnant ."

Ms Matai'a said there are so many resources out there for mothers of all kinds - and it's a tragedy that the woman felt so detached from her community and life that she could leave her baby in a park.

Post Antenatal and Distress Support Group Executive Director Antoinette Ben said we need to review accessibility to social services.

She told Mike Hosking she presumes the mother was terrified to have the baby.

She said it's also obvious the women wasn't prepared and she may not have known that she was pregnant for a long time.

But Ms Ben says people are actually very good at hiding things, especially if they know they're not going to be accepted - if that was the case.