By Angela Beswick
Police in Christchurch have cordoned off an area of interest at Godley Head in the search for Vanessa Pickering.
The cordon covers an area off Godley Road, and police have told journalists and members of the volunteer rescue teams to stay where they are.
The 27-year-old mother of one has been missing since leaving her New Brighton home on Monday. She was seen getting into a Toyota Estima vehicle with her daughter and another man. Her seven-year-old daughter was found in a paddock early Tuesday morning.
Speaking to 3 News from inside the cordon, Detective Senior Sergeant Virginia Le Bas says police have found something of significance, but would not be drawn on details.
Ms Le Bas says police are now closely examining an area of the reserve just off Godley Head Rd.
A press conference will be held at 7.30pm.
The steep, rocky area which is covered in long grass has proven difficult to search in and pick things up. Volunteer search teams have been stood down while police search teams focus on the area.
Today the man who police believe is connected to Ms Pickering’s disappearance appeared in court on unrelated charges of kidnapping and violating a child. He has interim name suppression.
3 News