Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey says his council will have to answer questions over the drain in which two-year-old Aisling Symes drowned, but has pleaded for time to let her family and the community grieve.
Aisling's body was found on Monday night in a drain in Longburn Road, a week after she went missing.
Police revealed at a press conference yesterday that the 20kg lid on the drain manhole was 8-10cm ajar when they arrived on the scene the day she disappeared.
Inspector Gary Davey said they looked down the drain twice the day Aisling disappeared and sent cameras down the next day, but found no sign of her.
Police decided yesterday to dig the drain up due to blockages and they found Aisling 36m from the manhole and 1.5m underground.
Neighbours said yesterday they had complained to the council in the past about the manhole, the cover of which could come off in heavy rain.
"The manhole would lift off and water would come pouring out in heavy rain," Sonya Carrington said.
"We called the council and some councillors and it has been looked at, but it's never been fixed yet."
Waitakere City Council said yesterday it had been looking at ways of fixing the drain when the tragedy occurred.
Spokesman Wally Thomas said there had been four complaints about the drain and the manhole in five years, the latest of which was on September 11.
Mr Harvey said he was unaware of the complaints until yesterday and questioned why the residents had not raised the problem with police when Aisling went missing.
"Why did not they alert the police earlier?" he asked on TV One's Close Up programme.
The council would have a "full tally" of what happened in "the weeks ahead or the days ahead".
He said he was disappointed more than angry about the revelations about the manhole cover.
"I don't think it is time to get angry to be honest. We have a family in grief and a community in grief, and (it's) not a time to be angry, but we do need to answer the questions."
Mr Harvey, who was involved in the search for Aisling, said he was stunned by the tragedy.
"This has been the most terrible time for a long time in the west. I can't remember or recall any tragedy that has touched us more deeply."
An autopsy yesterday found Aisling's death was consistent with drowning. She had no injuries.
Her body was released to her family and the death referred to the coroner.
Family members said yesterday they were distraught at Aisling's death, but pleased her body had been found.
"The loss of Aisling is unbearable," said David Ball, a brother of Aisling's mother Angela.
"It's hard to imagine life without her infectious smiles and her lovely nature."
NZPA