Weather disrupts search for Chinese student

Police staff survey the coastline near the Auckland University's Leigh Marine Reserve Laboratory where Yue Gui was last seen. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Rough weather is hampering the search effort for a missing Chinese student, thought to have drowned in the sea north of Auckland.

Yue Gui, 30, known as Alice, was last seen a week ago at the Leigh Marine Reserve, operated by Auckland University, about 80km north of Auckland.

The Chinese PhD student was due to take ocean temperatures and police fear she may have been swept out to sea.

However, police divers searching for her body were today forced from the ocean because of rough conditions, Senior Constable Hamish Buick told NZPA.

"My understanding is the weather is causing problems with the possibility of further dive searches. There's a large swell and the environs where they are, it's rocky close to shore, so the swell were pushing the divers onto the shore."

Divers had described the conditions were like being in a "washing machine", Mr Buick said.

"When the weather comes right the divers will return, but at this stage it's shoreline searches because of the nature of the weather."

Divers searched the area this week and the police helicopter Eagle also made aerial searches.

Land searchers were due back today but a police spokesman said the chances of finding her body were not good.

The area where she disappeared was rugged with numerous caverns and gullies where a body could be trapped.

Police said they had nothing but glowing reports about Ms Gui and her commitment to working and making a life in New Zealand.

Police said her family was traumatised and due to arrive from Beijing tomorrow.

- NZPA