Willow, pictured with her mum Waimirirangi Rudolph on Monday morning. Photo: RNZ / Lucy Xia
The mother of a West Auckland toddler who went missing says reuniting with her daughter was an emotional time.
Two year-old Willow went missing from her Zodiac Street home in Henderson yesterday afternoon, prompting hundreds of locals and police to spend the evening searching for her.
Waimirirangi Rudolph said her family was told by police last night that Willow had been found in nearby Rānui, in the care of another family.
Rudolph said she was happy and relieved to have her daughter back.
"I was so happy and my heart was full and I was just crying," she said.
"She was happy as when I saw her, she was very happy. I'm just glad to have her home."
Willow was returned to her family around 7.30pm on Sunday evening. Photo: RNZ / Lucy Xia
Rudolph said Willow had wandered onto the street after gates were accidentally left open, and that the family who picked her up initially did not know about the search.
Willow had been last seen around 2pm playing with a sibling and another child outside.
On Monday, police said a member of the public had found Willow walking along nearby Universal Drive and waited with her.
The person then took Willow back to their house and initiated a search through social media to locate her parents.
"Other members of the public have seen the post and made the connection and in turn contacted police."
Willow was reunited with her family around 7.30pm, police said.
The family has put up a sign outside of their home to thank the community for their search efforts. Photo: RNZ / Lucy Xia
Willow's aunty and uncle from Kaitaia had driven down to Auckland when they heard that she had gone missing.
Merenia Rudolph said she was thankful to the family who looked after Willow during those hours.
"Just very, very grateful for this person that had her, yes could've been notified earlier, however, just so grateful that she had her safe, and playing with her whānau, her kids, her grandchildren.
"We want to express our deepest sincere thank you to her and her family, and to every single person that showed love, via private messages, texts, social media.
"Getting out and walking the streets, checking the creeks, under trees... West Auckland came out in fierce force to look for our little Willow bean," she said.
Willow's cousin Aroha Tecklenberg earlier told RNZ she was grateful for the community's support and said the family was absorbing Willow's laughs, words and having her running around at home again.
"We know nearly everyone on this street here, and they're all lovely people. They've come over. They've brought us food. They know Willow and we've walked Willow around here so many times," she said.
"She's so nosey. She's in her terrible two moments. She loves playing just continuously. She absolutely loves and adores her brother. She loves the playground. She loves kids. She's just outgoing. Everything for a little two-year-old. She's pretty amazing."
Police said inquiries into the situation continue.
"Police would like to sincerely thank the West Auckland community for their help as well as the volunteers and agencies who assisted with the search and provided support to those involved."
