Police search Orakei Basin for missing mum

Missing Auckland woman Carmen Thomas. Photo / Supplied

A search and rescue team today scoured parts of the Orakei Basin, near Remuera in Auckland, and adjacent parks for missing escort Carmen Thomas who has not been seen since July 1.

Auckland central police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty told NZPA not too much should be read into the search but it was a logical step in the investigation.

"We searched the Orakei Basin because it's near where she lived and there's a possibility that she was there, but we haven't found anything so that is one box ticked," she said.

Some parks adjacent to the basin were also searched.

Detective Inspector Mark Benefield said all possible scenarios around Ms Thomas' disappearance were being explored.

"We simply do not know what's happened to Carmen nor where she is, so we're doing what every good investigation does - exploring the options," he said.

Police were also collecting CCTV footage from downtown Auckland businesses in the hope of corroborating or negating unconfirmed sightings of her.

Her image was last captured on footage at the Greenlane Countdown on Sunday, June 27, at 7.10pm.

"We have footage of her on the earlier date of June 25 at the Newmarket Day Night Pharmacy on Broadway shortly after 6pm and on both occasions she was wearing a light blue or violet-coloured scarf around her neck," he said.

Ms Thomas was reported missing to police on July 13 so there was a big gap between then and the night she was last seen.

Her Nissan Pulsar car (registration number ATS 209) was left abandoned in a Hamilton street sometime before July 5 when it was noticed by residents.

Mr Benefield said earlier that even though Ms Thomas' car was found in Hamilton, there was nothing to suggest she had been with the car in the city.

"But there is nothing to suggest she wasn't there. There are a lot of questions to be answered, how did the car get there, who drove it there and why did it park up?"

Cash, an overnight bag and a child's car seat were found in the car. Police did not know whose bag it was.

He said the longer Ms Thomas was missing the less chance there was of finding her alive.

"I am keeping an open mind. She just may have had a meltdown and she is hiding."

The investigation team had been in contact with Ms Thomas' mother who had made travel arrangements to come to New Zealand from South Africa later this week.

- NZPA