Police link vehicle to hit and run

Police are "reasonably confident" they have found the car that hit a two-year-old boy in Sandringham just over a week ago. The car has been undergoing forensic testing since being seized from an Owairaka address last Wednesday. The address was not far from where the hit and run occurred on October 15.

Police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said the car was seized after a member of the public provided police with information.

The car is registered to a woman police have spoken to, but Ms Hegarty would not say she was driving the car when Joseph Tuinukuafe was hit and left unconscious in the middle of the road. The toddler received a range of injuries and was treated in Starship children's hospital before being released on the same day the car was seized.

His grandfather, Garth Firth, said he had not heard from the police about the car but was glad there had been a development in the case.

He expected police were waiting for the results of forensic tests on the car before contacting the family.

Mr Firth said it would be a relief to know that someone had been caught for the hit and run - if and when that happens.

Ms Hegarty said there was "every chance" of some further developments being made in the case in the next few days.

Mr Firth said his grandson was in good spirits, playing and enjoying being back at home with his family. He is aware of the accident and not ventured out near the road again.