Police and search and rescue combing Greenpark farmland in Canterbury during an earlier stage of the search for Yanfei Bao in August. Photo: RNZ / Niva Chittock
Police investigating the suspected murder of Christchurch real estate agent Yanfei Bao are searching in several new areas today.
Yanfei Bao, 44, was last seen on 19 July. Her disappearance sparked a missing person's investigation.
That investigation was upgraded to a homicide inquiry on 26 July after police said they no longer believed she was alive. Her body has not been found.
Tinjun Cao, 52, was charged with her kidnapping but later was charged with murder.
A police spokesperson confirmed they were searching in new areas around Christchurch, alongside parts of Rolleston, south of the city.
The areas include Rolleston's Waterholes and Robinsons roads, Spalling Road and Te Kuru Wetland in Halswell and Haul Road at McLeans Island.
Police will not be searching in the Greenpark area today but have not ruled out searching the area in future.
Cao appeared at the Christchurch High Court last week via audio-visual link before Justice Cameron Mander.
Tinjun Cao is charged with Bao's murder. Photo: The Press / Chris Skelton
He has pleaded not guilty to Bao's murder.
Police have undertaken a forensic examination at a property for sale on Trevor Street in Hornby, the last location she was seen alive.
Searches have also taken place in and around Halswell River and Lake Ellesmere.
Just days after Bao's disappearance, Cao was arrested at Christchurch Airport and charged with her kidnapping.
In the weeks that followed, he was also charged with her murder.
His next appearance is scheduled for 10 November and a trial date is tentatively set for October 2024.
In early August, Bao's family released a statement, thanking the public for their support.
Yanfei Bao was last seen on 19 July. Photo: RNZ / NZ Police
"The love and compassion displayed by fellow New Zealanders has been truly humbling, and the Bao family cannot express how grateful they are for all the generous donations made through Givealittle."
It would help ease their burden, the family's statement said.
"In their time of crisis, the Bao family would also like to express their sincere appreciation to the police for their invaluable support and relentless dedication in the search for their missing loved one, Yanfei."
Bao's family urged anyone with information that could help with the investigation to come forward as soon as possible.
"Their only desire is to have her returned to them, so they can find closure and begin the grieving process.
"Amid this harrowing experience, the Bao family encourages everyone to cherish their loved ones and express their feelings openly."
Bao's husband, Paul Gooch, said people should go home tonight and tell those they hold dear "that you love and cherish them".
The family said the public's acts of kindness had given them strength as they remained hopeful Bao would be returned to them.