KEY POINTS:
A funeral service for abused toddler Nia Glassie has been held in Tokoroa.
Her tiny white coffin was carried into the St Lukes Pacific Islander's Church by her father's family, to the hymn Jesus Loves Me.
The children in the church were invited to sing a song and blow bubbles in memory of Nia.
A family spokesperson described Nia as a playful child who liked to play hide and seek with her older siblings.
Nia will be buried near her paternal grandfather in the Tokoroa cemetery.
A large crowd of family and friends were at the funeral which came the day after new details of the horrific abuse she is alleged to have suffered were revealed in court.
Her step-grandfather allegedly wrapped a scarf twice around her neck, then lifted her off the ground and strangled her with it until she turned purple.
After 10 seconds, he is said to have thrown her to the ground and verbally abused her when she cried.
Five people have been accused of abusing the toddler.
Three of them were denied bail in the Rotorua District Court yesterday and were kept in custody.
Nia died in the Starship hospital last Friday after eight days in a coma with head and abdominal injuries.
- NZHERALD STAFF, NEWSTALK ZB
