Aisling Symes's family say they are devastated at the death of the toddler, but say there is some small comfort that her body has been found.
The family posted their remarks on a Facebook page set up while two-year-old Aisling was missing.
"I am extremely devastated to have to report to you that Aisling's body has been found in a drain near where she went missing," the message said.
They asked members of the public to pray for the family as "this is going to be the hardest time of our lives and we will need all the prayers we can get".
"If even the smallest positive can come from this at least we know we did all we could, it was a national effort, and thank you all for that, it did bring us together as a country, and proved at least that we are a nation full of caring and compassionate people, who genuinely want to help those in need, thank you all for that.
"Also, there is slight comfort in knowing that she is safe in heaven, and being held and looked after by God himself," the family said.
The Facebook page, called Find Aisling Symes, had by this morning more than 21,000 members.
More than 2000 people had placed messages of support for the family.
NZPA