Girl, 6, left home alone

File photo / NZ Herald

A 6-year-old girl was found home alone in her Tauranga house yesterday after both of her parents had left for work.

The girl was reportedly "happy as Larry" when she was discovered by a contractor who arrived to mow the lawns at the Avenues property, Tauranga Police acting Senior Sergeant Wayne Lambert said.

Mr Lambert said the contractor brought his daughter, who was about the same age, with him on the job.

When she began playing, she found the other girl and began playing with her.

The contractor called police after he was unable to locate the girl's parents.

Mr Lambert said he understood the girl was not upset in any way.

Mr Lambert said the girl's father picked her up from the Tauranga police station shortly afterwards.

Police were today still investigating the incident and considering what action to take.

The incident comes after a mother left her baby alone in a van while she went shopping on a hot Christmas Eve in Whangarei.

Traffic wardens discovered the baby, believed to be 6 to 8 weeks old, in a van about 11am on December 24.

Temperatures on the day reached more than 30C.

The mother returned shortly after police arrived.

The mother said she had left the child for "only a few seconds" while she went into a store to pick up a few things but the shop had been far busier than she expected and she had had to wait.

A report has been filed with Child, Youth and Family Services and no further action would be taken.

It is illegal to leave children under 14 without making reasonable provision for their care and supervision. Parents are required to make sure any child left alone is safe and in no danger.

Midlands Regional Director of Child, Youth and Family Suse Sligo earlier told the Bay of Plenty Times that it was always of grave concern when young children were left alone at home or in other situations.

"As well as the obvious safety risks, they can easily get frightened or distressed and can become anxious and insecure at other times, worrying about being left alone again," Ms Sligo said.

In order to grow up feeling safe and secure, children needed to know that there is always someone there to care for them, she said.

"Thankfully most parents are aware of their responsibilities, however from time to time we do receive calls from concerned family, friends and neighbours."