Yanfei Bao has not been seen since Wednesday. Photo: Supplied
Police say their investigation into missing real estate agent Yanfei Bao is not a homicide inquiry but they are very concerned for her safety.
Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves said police were keeping an open mind, but it had been five days since she was last seen.
Police were searching a house on Trevor Street, Hornby, on Monday morning after it was seized by police on Sunday afternoon. A Harcourts for sale sign can be seen outside the property.
Police outside the Trevor Street property. Photo: RNZ / Anna Sargent
On Sunday, police said a man was arrested and charged with kidnapping in relation to the case.
Reeves said he would appear in court today charged with kidnapping, after being arrested at Christchurch Airport on Saturday evening.
"We are very concerned for her safety." Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves
In an interview with Morning Report, Reeves said the charge showed police now believed Bao had been a victim of a criminal offence making the stakes "greater".
"We've always been concerned about her wellbeing and her welfare. It's Monday now, we are a good five days and we don't know where she is, and we have charged someone with kidnapping.
"It's not a homicide investigation, it still remains a missing persons investigation but yes, I guess as the days carry on and the charge, we do now believe she has been a victim of a criminal offence, that does make the stakes greater. We are very concerned for her safety."
Bao was last seen on Wednesday morning, door-knocking in Wigram as part of her business.
The car police are wanting information on. Photo: Supplied / NZ police
Police are appealing for sightings of a silver Mitsubishi sedan with the registration DPH101 from mid-last week until Saturday night.
They are particularly interested in the vehicle's movements last Wednesday in Wigram, Hornby, Tai Tapu, Halswell, Redcliffs, and New Brighton.
Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Reeves said a large team of police were working on the investigation, and local residents would have noticed this.
Police did not believe there was an increased risk to the safety of the general public, or to real estate agents doing their business.
Reeves continued to ask residents who may have seen the car they want information on to get in touch.
"There is a big team of people in Christchurch who we know will have seen something and we really, really need to hear from them."