Police are investigating an infant's "unexplained" death in Northland earlier this year.
The sudden death of 10-month-old Kween Thompson in Dargaville was reported to police in July.
However, police weren't notified of "potential unexplained circumstances" in her death until the following days, Detective Senior Sergeant Kevan Verry said this morning.
"It was in these following days police were made aware of a non-accidental injury, which is now the focus of a child protection investigation," Verry said.
"As part of that investigation we are looking into the circumstances of the death, which at this stage is being treated as unexplained.
"It appears the non-accidental injury does not relate to the death."
Officers are keeping an "open mind" and working with medical experts to better understand the injury, he added.
"However, we can confirm the cause of death has been determined to be asphyxia. [Police] are making enquiries into this matter, and are gathering facts about events on the day of baby Kween's death from a variety of sources."
Verry called the death "tragic and distressing" for the family. Officers have spoken to "a number of" family members, he added, with "varying degrees of co-operation".
"We will continue to approach and speak with witnesses and family members as the investigation progresses and are hoping that all persons involved will cooperate and provide any information they may have that helps us understand what has happened to the baby."
Police are appealing for information from family members and witnesses who saw Kween in the two weeks before her death.
Anyone with information is urged to either visit their local police station or call 105 and quote file number 230714/4866.
"Police is aware of a number of different theories from the wider family as to what has occurred and we encourage anyone with information that may assist our enquiries to consider speaking with police in confidence," Verry said.
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