The family of Wickford backpacker Grace Millane have paid tribute to her after her tragic death in New Zealand.

Ms Millane went missing from a hostel in Auckland on December 1 and a body was found in the Waitakere Ranges on Sunday.

A 26-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with murder and appeared in an Auckland court on Monday.

The body was found during a scene examination in a section of bush on Scenic Drive in the Waitakere Rangers, which is a hilly regional park around 40 minutes outside central Auckland.

Since the update regarding a body being found in New Zealand, Grace's brother Declan has posted a heartbreaking message to his sister alongside a picture of the two together.

READ MORE: 'Your daughter should have been safe here' - New Zealand PM apologises to backpacker's family

In the post, which has been liked more than 1,300 times and is filled with sympathy comments from friends and family, Declan quoted the words from the 1940 Jimmie Davis song 'You Are My Sunshine'.

Declan wrote: "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray. You'll never know, dear, how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away."

Earlier in the week, Grace's father, David Millane, flew to New Zealand to join police in the search for his daughter.

Speaking at a press conference earlier this week, David said: "Grace is a lovely, outgoing, fun-loving, family-orientated daughter.

"Grace has never been out of contact for this amount of time. She's usually in daily contact with either her mother, myself, her two brothers or members of the family on social media.

READ MORE: Man accused of Grace's murder 'was living at same hotel where she was last seen alive'

"We are all extremely upset and it's very difficult at this time to fully describe the range of emotions we are going through."

A memorial has been set up in Wickford town centre, with dozens of bouquets and candles laid in tribute.

Councillor George Jeffery said: “My thoughts are with you at this sad time.”

The Davids family wrote: “To the Millane family, we are so sorry for the loss of Grace. Sending your family love and prayers. All our love, The Davids Family.”