Police are investigating a report that a foetus has been found in a public toilet in a mall in the Hamilton suburb of Te Rapa.

Police on Thursday released a statement saying that someone had reported that they had found a foetus in a shop toilet at The Base mall in northwest Hamilton on Wednesday.

Detective Inspector Chris Page said police are trying to confirm the report.

Inquiries have found that a girl with a bleeding nose went into the toilet on the same day and police are now trying to identify the child and her mother.

"At this stage it is too early to say for certain what has occurred," Det Insp Page said.

"Of concern to police is that a woman may need medical assistance and we hope she is able to be identified and confirm she has received the care she may need."