Relieved parents thank searchers after Motueka toddler and puppy found in 11pm bush sweep

A 2-year-old girl in Motueka was missing for several hours before she was found safe and well with the family puppy late last night. Photo / Google

The family of a toddler who was missing for five hours in dense bush in Motueka have thanked authorities and members of the public for their help to find her.

Search and rescue teams were called to a property on Little Sydney Rd after the girl's parents realised she was missing and had not been seen by anyone since 4pm.

Their four-month-old puppy was also missing.

In a statement released through police this afternoon, her relieved parents thanked police, search and rescue teams, the local fire service, the local 4-Wheel Drive Club, neighbours, family and friends for helping in last night's search.

The girl's mother said she and one of her older children had set off on a motorbike ride up the family's remote farm and had left the toddler home in the care of another adult and her other siblings.

The last time her mother saw her young daughter, she was walking towards the other adult, who was in the garage right next to the house.

"However, before she reached them, she has obviously decided to turn around and head in the opposite direction.

"During this time, both sets of people ... assumed that she was with the other one," they said.

"Approximately an hour later, upon her mum's return, it was noticed she and the family puppy were not at the house.''

Family members immediately started to search around the house and their own property before branching out into dense bush to find her.

She would be found safe and well about 3km away from her home at 11.20pm - with the family pup.

Nelson Bays Area Commander Inspector Mat Arnold-Kelly said good teamwork from everyone involved had got the result everyone was hoping for.

"Police - many of them off-duty - LandSAR volunteers and locals immediately launched a search for the child.

"After hours of searching, one of the SAR members spotted the child and her puppy in the bush at least 3km away from the family's home.

"The girl and the puppy are fine and in good spirits and are obviously very happy to be back with family.''

Arnold-Kelly thanked all those involved, including 10 neighbours who came to the aid of the family and also helped in the search.