Police located the body of 41-year-old mother-of-three Barbara Ann Quinn, in Notown Road, Greymouth yesterday afternoon.
A man with moderate injuries was also found nearby.
He has now been charged with murder as well as one count of assault, and is due to appear in Christchurch District Court tomorrow.
While the post mortem was completed today, official identification will take place tomorrow morning.
Detective Senior Sergeant Kirsten Norton said "our thoughts are with Ms Quinn's family at this extremely difficult time.
"They've lost a truly loved and valued member of their family and we urge media to respect their privacy while they begin the process of confronting this loss."
Norton earlier said they had "serious concerns" for the mother-of-three and had appealed for urgent sightings.
Her disappearance was out of character, according to friends who were worried all day Saturday while a large police operation was under way.
Locals believe that Quinn, who works in an office locally, went home from work around lunchtime on Friday and hadn't been seen since.
The investigation team would like to speak to anyone who was in Notown Road between midday on Friday 6 December and 3pm on Saturday 7 December.
- ODT Online with NZ Herald
