Police team searches peat land for body

Police reviewing the case of a missing Hauraki Plains woman, Sara Niethe, yesterday searched peat land near Ngatea for her remains.

The mother of three was 30 when she was last seen in Ngatea on March 30, 2003, before heading to ex-boyfriend Mark Pakenham's Kaihere house for a drinking session. After an argument later that night, she supposedly drove home.

Neither Ms Niethe, from Kerepehi, nor her light blue Honda Civic car have been seen since.

She left behind three young children: Dion, Danielle and Simone.

In June last year, Pakenham was sentenced to two years and three months' jail for possession of methamphetamine.

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Greene said yesterday a team of three forensic scientists and two contractors went to an area previously used to farm peat, near Ngatea, in an attempt to find "matters of relevance to the case".

"This came about after the latest of a number of reviews of the case," he said.

"However, nothing of relevance was found during the search."

Mr Greene said the investigation team would continue to follow up information as it came to hand and would welcome any new leads.

"We've have spoken to Ms Niethe's family about our activities," he said.

"The family responded that they were pleased the case was still active and (that) police would act on any new information."

Anyone with information related to the disappearance of Ms Niethe is asked to contact Mr Greene by phoning (07) 8586200.

- © Fairfax NZ News