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The head of the police team searching for missing toddler Aisling Symes has made a personal plea for her return, as the investigation enters its seventh day.
Police have boosted the number of investigators from 40 to 60 working on the case.
There was also an emotional church service in west Auckland on Sunday morning. Family and friends of her parents Allan and Angela Symes, have been praying for the safe return of the two-year-old, who vanished on Monday night.
It's been a long, hard week for Henderson police with a personal appeal on Sunday.
"To the person who has Ashling, or the person who knows where she is, to contact me directly on 0800 4 2475 464," says Gary Davey, Henderson police.
They also reassured that the main focus of the investigation is getting her home.
"I've also suggested that they drop Aisling to a place of safety, like a hospital which is 24 hours," added Davey.
On Sunday, the Symes family's church held a service like no other, as a 300-strong congregation prayed for the safe return of one of its youngest members.
"I don't think we've ever experienced as a church the week this week has been. I was sitting with the family on Monday night thinking - 'look this will all be over in a few hours'," said Pastor Russell Watts, Ranui Baptist Church.
Pastor Russell has counselled Ashling's parents daily since her disappearance. He believes prayers will help bring her back to them.
"We want to see that person stop sinning today and return little Aisling," he says.
The Symes family was not at the church, requesting privacy as seven days of trauma take their toll.
Meanwhile, support has been flooding in online with a "Find Aisling" Facebook page has almost 11,000 members.
The ordeal has shaken residents in the street where the toddler disappeared.
"You would normally see kids riding bikes and playing up and down the street. And I guess if you look down there now it's deserted. And that's sad," says Ian Holmes, Longburn Road resident.
Police ask parents to be sensibly cautious as children return to school on Monday.
"It's natural for parents to feel concerned and apprehensive and they just need to take whatever steps are necessary to put their minds at rest," says Davey.
