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They had seemed like an ordinary family to the next-door neighbour, who would see the little boy toddling around the backyard as his carer hung out the washing.
But today police are investigating how 3-year-old Dylan Hohepa Tonga Rimoni received suspicious head injuries that led to his death in the Starship hospital yesterday.
They have described the death of the toddler as "suspicious" and his injuries as "unexplained".
Jan Kerkhoven, who lives next door to the house where Dylan was staying in Drury, South Auckland, said last night that "just a lady and a little boy" lived there.
"That's why it was quite a surprise for me. I never saw anything out of the ordinary."
Mr Kerkhoven knew nothing of any problems until the police arrived on Wednesday.
He said the house, in Great South Rd, was dark last night and appeared not to have been occupied since the police arrived.
Harry Patel, the owner of the Drury Mini Food Market, said that Dylan came into the dairy last week with the woman, who was a good customer.
He was a pleasant, quiet boy and the woman was friendly and seemed happy.
The house is on a tidy, fenced property with mowed lawns and pruned trees. Last night it was cordoned off with police tape and an Armourguard car was parked in front.
Counties Manukau police spokeswoman Angeline Barlow said police started an inquiry on Wednesday morning after hospital staff alerted them to Dylan's injuries.
Dylan's life-support machine was turned off on Wednesday and he died early yesterday.
Police are working with the foster family who were caring for Dylan at the time to piece together the course of events that led to his death.
Child, Youth and Family head Ray Smith said Dylan's foster care was a private family arrangement.
- additional reporting: Andrew Koubaridis
