A man accused of murdering a two-year-old girl in the Bay of Plenty has been granted interim name suppression.

The 32-year-old man was charged with murder following the discovery of the toddler's body in the Rangitaiki River on Sunday night.

The accused appeared in Whakatane District Court yesterday where, in front of a packed public gallery, was granted the interim suppression.

The man was remanded in custody and will appear in the High Court at Rotorua on July 4.

His arrest comes after police were called to the Matahina Dam area following the report of a two-year-old child missing in the Rangitaiki River around 6pm on Sunday.

"An extensive Search and Rescue operation was commenced, with the body of the child being located in the river at about 11pm.