A man's body has been discovered in Christchurch's Port Hills, but police are not saying whether he is Hayden Cossey, who has been missing for more than two weeks.
Canterbury Police Search and Rescue and members from Alpine Cliff Rescue recovered the body about 8.30pm yesterday from a remote and technically difficult location in the hills, a police spokeswoman said.
A member of the public alerted police to the discovery of the body in a rock fall area near Castle Rock about 2pm.
The death had been referred to the coroner who would determine the cause of death.
No details of the deceased man would be released until formal identification had taken place and next of kin were fully informed, the spokeswoman said.
Police investigations were continuing.
Mr Cossey has not been seen since December 5.
A large scale search had been underway for the 33-year-old involving a ground, water and aerial search.