Police investigating the disappearance of a woman near Queenstown want to speak to a man seen on a summit track in the area on the day she was last seen.
Erika Rodrigues Coelho, 47, is a Brazilian national living in Queenstown. No one has seen or heard from her since September 18, and police learned she was missing two days later, on September 20.
Sergeant Terry Wood said the man was on the summit track in the Mount Dewar area, near Coronet Peak, about 12.30pm on September 18.
"The man is described as of Asian complexion, in his 30s, average to taller in height. Slim build with short dark hair, and clean shaven. He may be a tourist," he said.
"We would like to speak with him regarding our ongoing investigation."
Her rental car, a white Toyota RAV4 with a black roof and the registration RKM122, turned up at Skippers Saddle near Coronet Peak on September 21. Police established the car had been parked there sometime during the Friday afternoon or evening.
Land Search and Rescue volunteers have spent hundreds of hours combing the Shotover River, Devil's Creek and other nearby catchments, along with routes she could have taken from the car.
A Coastguard Queenstown volunteer also used an underwater drone to search a mountain tarn near Skippers Saddle, while drones and a helicopter joined the operation.
In an earlier update, Otago Lakes Central area prevention manager senior sergeant John Fookes said some volunteers had given up work and other significant commitments to help, while also attending other rescues during the same period.
"We want to stress that even the smallest amount of information can make a huge difference to our investigation and finding Erika," Fookes said.
Wood asked the man, or anyone who recognised him, to come forward.
"If this is you, or you have any information that could assist us, please get in touch through 105, either online (select 'Update Report'), or by phone."
Police also want to hear from anyone who saw the RAV4 on September 18 or in the days before. Anyone who sees Rodrigues Coelho should call 111 immediately.
Mount Dewar is a 1310m peak near Coronet Peak which overlooks the Wakatipu Basin and Skippers Canyon.
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