The Department of Labour is investigating the death of a toddler on a Southland farm, after he drowned in a rubbish hole on Wednesday.
Charlie Aaron Unwin wandered off from his home on a Mandeville farm, where he was being looked after by a family member.
The two-year-old was found in the flooded household rubbish dump a short time later, about 4pm.
A Gore police spokesperson says the hole is a short distance from the house, across a driveway and was not fenced off.
The spokesperson says the boy's death is a tragedy for the family and the farming community.
The family is receiving help from Victim Support.
