The family of Emily Branje, 9, are in shock after she was swept away while whitebaiting at the Hokitika River mouth.
Police have been searching for the 9-year-old after the incident yesterday.
The little girl's family spoke of their heartbreak in a statement released by police today.
Emily was whitebaiting on the West Coast with an elderly man yesterday when she was swept away.
The family statement said Emily was an only child who was spending time with relatives on the West Coast.