A mother accused of keeping her two-year-old daughter hidden in a suitcase in a bus’s luggage compartment in New Zealand is believed to have recently returned from Australia. 

Detective Inspector Simon Harrison said the 27-year-old woman had been charged with ill-treatment and neglect of a child after the two-year-old was discovered in just a nappy on Sunday at 12.50pm (2.50pm AEST).

Police were called to a bus depot in Kaiwaka, 100km north of Auckland, after the driver became concerned about a bag moving during a rest stop.

The bag had been stored in a separate luggage compartment underneath the bus seats, which the driver had been repacking. 

‘When the driver opened the suitcase, they discovered the two-year-old girl,’ Harrison said.

‘The little girl was reported to be very hot, but otherwise appeared physically unharmed.’

It is believed the girl was in the suitcase for about an hour. 

Detective Harrison said the child is in hospital undergoing an extensive medical assessment. 

A 27-year-old woman has been charged after she was allegedly travelling on a bus with a two-year-old in her suitcase (stock image)

The 27-year-old woman remains in police custody, and was due to face court on Monday. 

Detective Harrison said the driver had thankfully prevented ‘what could have been a far worse outcome’.