Police believe missing Canterbury woman Rowena Walker victim of foul play

It has been more than 10 months since Rowena Walker, who would be 40 on Wednesday, went missing. Photo: Supplied / New Zealand Police

Police are renewing an urgent appeal for information on the whereabouts of missing Canterbury woman Rowena Walker.

It has been more than 10 months since Walker went missing in the Christchurch suburb of Burwood.

She was last seen on August 14, 2025 when CCTV captured her with an associate on Bassett Street.

Detective Senior Sergeant Jo Carolan said that no digital footprint and no verified sightings of Walker have been made in that time.

Carolan added what should be a time of celebration for her whānau was instead one of sadness and desperation.

The last confirmed sighting of Rowena Walker was on 14 August 2025, when she was captured on CCTV in Christchurch on Bassett Street with an associate. Photo: Supplied / New Zealand Police

While a search of part of the Christchurch red zone in April was unsuccessful, an investigation team was planning a further search in the coming weeks.

"The investigation team is working our way through a vast amount of digital information, and we continue to speak with witnesses and identify new enquiries. There is still a lot of work to do, and the investigation team is dedicated and motivated to find Rowena."

A map of the part of the Christchurch red zone that was searched in April. Photo: Supplied / New Zealand Police

Police believe that Walker was the victim of foul play on or around 15 August 2025 and is no longer alive.

Carolan said the investigation had indicated that someone in the community knew what happened to her.

Carolan said Walker had family, including young children, who deserved to know what happened to her.

Walker's partner at the time was the last person known to have seen her alive, but had, so far, declined to talk to the police.

Carolan said it was his right to maintain his silence, but his assistance was crucial to the investigation.

It is disappointing and frustrating that he is unwilling to assist, Carolan added.

"I would strongly urge him to reconsider and do the right thing by Rowena and her family," she said.

Police are appealing to the public to report any information they think may be relevant, no matter how big or small, Carolan said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking "update report", or by calling 105.

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Land, water, and aerial searches in and around the Christchurch's red zone are being conducted this week.