Search for toddler enters third day

The search for a missing toddler in Auckland moves into its third day today, with family and police still hopeful she may be found alive.

Two-year-old Aisling Symes went missing from a Longburn Rd house in the suburb of Henderson about 5.30pm on Monday.

More than 100 search and rescue staff resumed the search for her at first light today after spending all day yesterday scouring the area including local waterways.

Aisling was with her parents, who were cleaning her deceased grandparents' empty home, when she walked away.

Police say she was last seen talking to an Asian woman with a dog on Longburn Rd.

They haven't ruled any scenario out, but don't suspect anything sinister in her disappearance.

Waitakere area commander Inspector Gary Davey said Aisling was known to like water, which was one of the major natural hazards in the area along with the roads.

He said police were keen to hear from the Asian woman in her 30s, about 165cm tall with a medium build and long straight black hair.

She was wearing a black crew neck top, with three-quarter length sleeves, three-quarter length blue jeans, black leather sandals and black socks, and had a black and grey medium sized dog on a lead.

Mr Davey said the woman had been seen walking behind Aisling and then touched the back of her shoulder before continuing to walk around a corner.

"There may be language barriers, and maybe she could be frightened to come forward," Mr Davey said.

"But police would dearly like to speak to this woman and find out what she knows."

Aisling was described as being tall for her age, of European appearance, with light brown hair.

She was believed to be wearing a green parka jacket or ski jacket, blue jeans embroidered with flowers, and white tennis shoes.

Anyone with information about Aisling or her whereabouts was asked to contact Henderson police, or call 0800 42475464.