Missing toddler: Mayor confirms body found

Aisling Symes went missing last Monday. Photo / Supplied

The Mayor of Waitakere Bob Harvey has confirmed to the NZ Herald a body has been found near the Henderson property where two-year-old Aisling Symes went missing.

Earlier, neighbours reported a drainage crew inspecting a storm water line near the property with a camera.

A police camera crew has just entered the crime scene.

A senior crime officer was seen entering the area with a small box while another policeman entered the area with an industrial flashlight.

Police and the fire service have been excavating at the back of the Henderson property with reports of raw sewage spilling from the excavation site.

Firefighters have been working on the storm water drain since about 6pm on Pomaria Rd, a street connecting with Longburn Rd.

Officers continue to guard access points leading to the stream behind 7 Longburn Rd, the former home of Aisling's deceased grandparents.

The developments have seen a crowd of neighbours, children and other community members gather outside the property.

Aisling was last seen at 5pm last Monday, near the Longburn Rd home.

Police earlier today cancelled a press conference scheduled for this afternoon.

Aisling's mother, Angela, has maintained her daughter went missing while she had her back turned at the house.

The development follows an offer of a $50,000 reward from British aristocrat Lord Ashcroft for information leading to the safe return of Aisling.

Last year, Lord Ashcroft offered a reward of $200,000 after the Waiouru Army Museum's war medals were stolen.

Mystery Asian woman

The last person thought to have seen Aisling was a 9-year-old child - who reported seeing an Asian woman with a dog approach the toddler near the Longburn Rd home.

It is the strongest lead police have had and they've asked to hear from anyone with information on the woman - described as being in her mid 30s, about 165cm tall, of medium build with long, straight black hair.

The woman had a dog and was wearing a black crew-neck top with three-quarter-length sleeves, three-quarter-length blue jeans and black leather sandals with black socks.

The number of police now working on the disappearance of Aisling has increased to 70.

Police appeal for information

Inspector Gary Davey said police had received a lot of information on the case.

"We are still appealing for anyone who has her to come forward. We just want her back."

Earlier today he said he was still hopeful someone had abducted the toddler and was looking after her but could not rule out other possibilities.

"My own genuine hope or gut feeling is that somebody does have her and she is still alive," he told Newstalk ZB today.

"I believe that. I am optimistic, I believe family are and certainly the investigation team are optimistic that we can find Aisling."

Yesterday, Mr Davey urged the person responsible either to contact him or drop Aisling at a hospital.

"Whoever you are, you might be scared or intimidated by police activity over the past week. Don't be - call me. We just want to know where Aisling is," he said.

Mr Davey reminded parents to be vigilant "without becoming unduly fearful" when sending children back to school today.

Longburn Rd was deserted yesterday, with unmarked police cars parked in the driveway of the house from which Aisling disappeared.

Persons of interest

Mr Davey said police would continue profiling people of interest, and sorting information from the public.

"While several people of interest have been profiled by the intelligence section and suspect team, we have not had any strong information that might lead us directly to Aisling," he said.

News of Aisling's disappearance is making headlines in father Alan Symes' native Ireland.

He emigrated to New Zealand - with sister Aithne and mother Olwyn - more than 18 years ago.

Mrs Symes said Aisling had started learning the Irish counting system and loved potatoes.

"She always used to get into the spuds and when she started teething we would find bite marks in the raw potatoes."