Memorial to toddler Aisling Symes

Aisling Symes went missing on October 5 2009. Photo / Supplied

A memorial to West Auckland two-year-old Aisling Symes has been unveiled nearly a year since her disappearance and death touched many New Zealanders.

About 80 family, friends and locals including Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey gathered yesterday to pay tribute to the toddler in a Henderson park near where she went missing on October 5 last year.

Aisling's body was found in a stormwater drain a week after her disappearance, which sparked a huge search and outpouring of emotion.

Three kauri trees were yesterday planted in her memory and a plaque was unveiled.

- NZPA