Body in Pickering search discovered at bottom of 'steep fall'

Police searching for Vanessa Pickering cordoned off part of a coastal reserve tonight. Photo / Supplied

Police confirmed tonight they have found a body where they had been searching for a woman who had been missing from her home since Monday.

Police had been searching for Vanessa Pickering, 27, since her seven year-old daughter was found by a member of the public in a paddock near Kaiapoi early on Tuesday.

It is understood that after an intensive two-day search around Lyttelton Harbour, police turned their focus to an area near Godley Head Rd on Banks Peninsula after receiving a tip from a member of the public.

Police spokeswoman Virginia Le Bas said the body was found at the bottom of a steep incline which she estimated to be about 300 metres below the road above.

"There's quite a steep fall," she told reporters at a media conference this evening. "There's a brush area (and) there's sheep and livestock around."

Ms Le Bas said the area would be secured and controlled so that a forensic investigation could take place.

"I'd imagine there'd be several days of work out here," she said.

It is understood that police staff have notified Ms Pickering's family of the discovery, but Ms Le Bas stressed that the body has not been identified.

A homicide investigation is believed to be underway.

Police are still appealing to the public for information relating to Ms Pickering and to a blue/green Toyota Estima, EFA478, which was seen in and around Canterbury this week.

A Facebook group set up in the hope of raising awareness of Ms Pickering's disappearance had been inundated with messages this evening after word filtered through about a breakthrough in the case.

Some messages were of sympathy and support for Ms Pickering's daughter and family, while another pointed to the increasing number of high-profile homicide cases involving female victims in Christchurch.

"What is Christchurch coming to?", wrote Facebook user Rob White. "Just think of how many cases like this we have had in the last few years."

Police had earlier read a statement prepared by Kaade, who is Ms Pickering's partner and the father of her daughter.

In it, he said "I would like to ask Vanessa to please get in contact and let us know you are okay. Everyone involved is very worried about you.

"Our little girl has said several times that she just wants her mum back, as do we all.

"Please know we all love you very much and we wish for your safe return."

The girl is being cared for by Ms Pickering's family.

Ms Pickering went missing on Monday, after last being seen at their New Brighton home, supposedly in the company of a 40-year-old man who this afternoon appeared in Christchurch District Court.

The man, who had previously been named and photographed in the media, was granted interim name suppression today when he appeared on charges of abduction, sexual violation and assault with intent to commit sexual violation.

Defence counsel Serina Bailey said the man was not in a good way and needed the doctor this morning.

Judge Michael Crosbie said there was an ongoing police investigation, with a possibility of further charges.

He did not grant the name suppression, but gave defence counsel until 5pm tomorrow to file an appeal to the High Court.

He remanded the man in custody to February 26.

- NZHERALD ONLINE, NZPA, Jarrod Booker