A Give a Little page for the family of a five year old boy who drowned in the Hutt River on Tuesday has already raised thousands

Leonidas was found about three hours after he went missing.

The Give a Little page has raised over seven thousand dollars for the boy's family.

In a post to the page, his aunt thanked everyone who had helped find him.

She says funerals can be a "massive strain" on whanau, so any contribution is greatly appreciated.

A rahui is in place on the river until one day after the child's tangihanga.