Police were searching the area on Tuesday. Photo: RNZ/ Jean Edwards
About 60 people are combing Canterbury's Greenpark area as they follow new leads in the search for real estate agent Yanfei Bao.
Bao has been missing since 19 July last year, and despite extensive searches of Christchurch and surrounding areas over the past 12 months, the 44-year-old's body has never been found.
A 53-year-old Chinese national, Tingjun Cao, has been accused of her kidnapping and murder, with a trial date scheduled for October.
The search on Tuesday involves more than 60 people and is centred around land near the intersection of Hudson Road and Clarks Road.
File photo. Police searching Hudsons Road in Greeenpark in October 2023. Photo: RNZ/ Nathan McKinnon
The farmland has been previously searched, but recent information team prompted the investigation team to return to the location.
An RNZ reporter at the scene of the search said they could see more than a dozen police cars and a van.
In the distance, a couple of police officers could be seen working along a row of macrocarpa trees. One of them had a rake.
Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves said police were continuing to act on leads and information received, and initiate search activity accordingly.
Yanfei Bao. Photo: Supplied
"We are still determined to do everything we can to find Yanfei and we continue to follow up information that might lead us to her whereabouts.
"We would like to thank the farm owners in this area who have allowed us to return to search again, and who have been so cooperative with us throughout our efforts."
