Witnesses as far away as Wellington are being interviewed as police continue their hunt for a man who attacked a five-year-old girl in a Turangi campground.
The girl suffered serious injuries to her head and body in the attack at Club Habitat holiday park on Wednesday night and is recovering in Waikato Hospital after surgery on Thursday.
The girl's mother had returned to their caravan after using an amenities block to discover a man attacking her daughter while her three-year-old son slept nearby.
Police say the "brutal and heart-wrenching" attack on the girl from Europe on holiday with her family was sexually motivated.
A police spokeswoman says staff had completed its scene examination and analysis of forensic evidence was continuing.
Witnesses were being interviewed, some in Wellington, and security camera footage was being scoured, the spokeswoman said.
Police said attacker may not be a local man and were not ruling out gang involvement.
On Christmas Eve, the family of the girl said they had been deeply touched by the support they've received from New Zealanders.
Since the attack, hundreds of gifts, donations, and messages of support have flooded in.
"What has happened is unimaginable. It's a drama, a tragedy not only for us but also for your beautiful country. However, your support given to us is so incredible that it gives us a lot of strength," they said in a statement.
Waikato Hospital had been swamped with gifts and asked that no more be donated. The surplus will be given to sick children at the hospital.
Westpac Bank has set up a trust fund for the family, account number 03-1555-0150947-00 under the name "Operation Turangi".
Written messages of support can also be emailed to news@waikatodhb.health.nz and will be passed on to the family.
NZN