A man charged with murdering a Christchurch woman last week has appeared in court.
There was a large police presence for the brief appearance in the Christchurch District Court of Malcolm Chaston, also known as Mana Maniapoto Walker.
Judge Graeme Noble on Tuesday remanded him in custody to reappear on 23 February.
A court document refers to the killing as murder by stabbing.
Police say Vanessa Pickering, 27, was last seen on Monday last week with her daughter and Mr Chaston.
The seven-year-old girl was found wandering in a paddock north of Christchurch the next morning and Ms Pickering's body was found in the Port Hills on Thursday.
Mr Chaston, a freezing worker, is also charged with sexual violation, unlawful detention of and assault on a child.
The 40-year-old faces a further charge of assault with intent to commit sexual violation, but police say this was not against Ms Pickering.
