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The family of Aisling Symes have said their final farewells to their daughter whose week-long disappearance moved the nation.
Aisling Celine Symes, whose Christian names means "vision of heaven", was cremated in a private ceremony on Friday afternoon a few hours after hundreds of mourners attended an emotional public service in west Auckland.
Aisling's father Alan didn't speak at the service at Ranui Baptist Church but his devastation was clearly apparent as he faced a task no parent would wish - carrying his own child's casket at the end of a funeral.
Aisling's family spent some time after the funeral in the church carpark as well-wishers offered their condolences before several doves were released.
Afterwards Alan Aisling and his wife Angela kissed her casket, a touching moment for everyone present.
Her casket was adorned with the Irish flag, a New Zealand flag, flowers, a photo and a Winnie the Pooh teddy bear for the 75-minute service.
Aisling disappeared from her deceased grandparents' Longburn Rd, Henderson, home, on October 5.
She was found a week later down a stormwater drain, having drowned.
Beautiful tributes
Hundreds of mourners heard beautiful tributes during the public service and her aunt Christine Bartle summed up the sentiments many were feeling.
"She was an affectionate, smiling, happy little girl who always gave lots of cuddles and vigorously waved goodbye. She gave us lots of laughs, she was such a bright light of joy in our lives and we will miss her."
Around 500 people filled the church and two adjoining rooms to farewell the toddler.
Just before the service, her parents and their five-year-old daughter Caitlin lit a candle underneath a white cage with a dove inside on the stage.
Pastor Russell Watts who lead the service said Aisling's death
was a tragedy for everyone who knew her.
"For two years this loving, confident, energetic, little girl
brought so much life and so much love to so many people," he
said.
"We so hoped and prayed that this day wouldn't be happening for another 70 or 80 years. But we live in an imperfect world and accidents happen, terrible accidents happen."
Amid a tearful gathering, Watts paid tribute to police, to the community and to the public who had supported Aisling's family.
"It's been an awful time and amidst such an awful time so many of you have stood up and shown extraordinary love."
Family member David Bartle said Aisling was a blessing and a bundle of love.
"Her name is Aisling Celine, which means vision of heaven. We never wanted her to go this soon, but she has been a vision of heaven," he said.
"She was a real gem of love and encouragement for everyone."
Aisling's aunt Aithne Potts told of the girl's love of her soft toys, particularly a penguin she got from the Salvation Army, and her love of food.
Potts said Aisling also loved dolls, and told how she spent the morning wrapping up dolls and feeding them plastic food the day she went missing.
Her young cousin Hamish Potts described Aisling as his best friend and described how it was almost impossible to get her off the swing.
"I could honestly say that she was a best firiend, my best friend. I'd help her put on her little yellow boots and we'd go running outside."
Several police, including Inspector Gary Davey, who headed the investigation into Aisling's disappearance, also attended.
Three rooms, two of which had screens with video links to the service, were set aside for those mourners who were unable to get into the church.
Most of them never knew Aisling, but her disappearance and the ordeal her parents had gone touched them all.
