An Oranga Tamariki spokesperson says they were notified yesterday of the death of the baby boy in Waikato's Te Kuiti

A homicide investigation's underway, after doctors couldn't save the unconscious 10-month-old brought to hospital on Saturday afternoon.

Initial examinations shows he suffered violent blunt-force trauma, that didn't appear to be accidental.

Oranga Tamariki's Rachel Leota says they're assisting Police to understand the circumstances that led to this.