Attacked girl 'feeling better, safer'

The scene at the camping grounds where a young girl was attacked in the caravan where the family was staying. Photo / Christine Cornege.

The 5-year-old girl attacked in her sleep at a Turangi camping ground was enjoying Christmas with her family yesterday.

The girl, recovering from four hours of surgery for injuries to her head and face, ate a special Christmas lunch at Waikato Hospital before being allowed out for the first time since the sexually motivated assault.

She was taken to Hamilton Lake in a wheelchair with her parents and 3-year-old brother. They also spent some time at a playground.

The family are from Europe and have been holidaying in New Zealand.

The girl's parents thanked New Zealanders for their support and said she was feeling better every hour.

"The love which she is surrounded with makes her feel safe. Her little brother likes it, too - he just thinks it is a neat place we visit (the only thing he wonders [is] how come Santa Claus is so generous this year)."

The girl was airlifted to Waikato Hospital on Wednesday night in a critical condition after her mother returned from using the computer at a utility block only metres away to find a man on top of her.

Police are investigating who was responsible for the attack at Club Habitat camping ground between 10.10pm and 10.40pm.

Waikato District Health Board spokeswoman Mary Anne Gill said the parents had been extremely touched by the support from New Zealanders and the thousands of messages flooding in. The messages were so heartfelt that they could read only about 20 before having to take a breather, she said.

"So many New Zealanders are shamed and apologising and offering to do anything they can to help."

More than 1000 presents have been sent to the family from around the world. The gifts were shared with 30 other sick children at the hospital.

The girl's parents attended midnight Mass in Hamilton and with the help of the Catholic Church gave the remaining presents, including soft toys, colouring-in pads, crayons and books, to other needy children.

More than $8000 has been raised for the girl's treatment.

Hospital staff also provided clothing and toiletries for the family, who were unable to get to any of their items until Saturday because police were examining the scene.