Police still calling on public to find kidnapped toddler

Police are upping the ante in their calls for the public to help find a toddler who has been kidnapped from her home, northwest of Auckland.

17-month-old Alyssa Barker was taken from her home in Makarau near Kaukapakapa by 27-year-old Skye Mason, a woman who had been sleeping rough until the little girl's parents took her in.

She took the girl to the home of friends in the west Auckland suburb of Glen Eden last night, and while they called police, she was gone with the child before officers arrived.

Detective Inspector Stan Brown says it's vital that Alyssa is returned to the safety of her family as soon as possible.

He says Mason left Alyssa's family home without any baby clothes, toys, food or blankets with her.

Detective Inspector Brown says the temperature last night was very cool and it's likely to be colder tonight with rain also forecast.

He says it's possible Mason is hiding out somewhere or has even left the Auckland region.

Anyone who sees her is asked to call 111.

Search and rescue scoured the Glen Eden area until five o'clock this morning and was back on duty at midday today.