Emergency services were called to the motel where the pair were after 3.30am on Saturday.
The woman was unresponsive and could not be revived.
“A post-mortem examination has been completed, and police are awaiting the results,” said Detective Senior Sergeant Dan Overend.
“These results are not expected to be finalised for several weeks.
“A man who was present at the motel on Saturday night was taken into custody at the time and has been charged with an unrelated drug offence.”
Official documents confirm he is facing two charges and appeared in the Christchurch District Court on Monday.
His next scheduled court appearance is on July 28.
Overend said police continued to provide support to her family.
Friends of the woman paid tribute to her online.
“Our precious friend died tragically and suddenly … our thoughts and all our aroha are with her treasured son,“ said one friend.
“We are so heartbroken for you, darling.
“Rest in peace… Moe mai rā. You were so loved by us all, by our kids and our whānau.”
The man who was with the woman at the motel when she died has appeared in court on unrelated drug charges. Photo / George Heard
Another friend told the Herald: “She was such a kind, lovely, considerate person who got on well with everyone; we are so shocked and upset by what has happened.
“She is so dear to us; we consider her family,” she said.
The woman was “devastated” and “shattered” when her son told her about the death.
“He put off telling me for a day because he knew how upset I would be… then we sat and cried and cried and cried,” she said.
“We don’t know what transpired… we’re really concerned.”
The woman had known the man at the motel with her for some time, her friend said.
“I thought it must have happened at home and her poor son must have woken up to find his mum dead,” she said.
“But apparently she was at this motel with (the man). I don’t think there was any relationship.
“She was just such a beautiful person – everyone loved her. I saw her just last week; she came and bought me dinner and some beautiful flowers… she pulled her chair over at the dinner table to sit right next to me…
“It’s so hard to believe that she’s gone. She was wonderful.”
The woman worked as a receptionist at a medical centre, and though she had some troubles in her life, she was doing well.
She was living in a “lovely” rented house, and her son was “the sweetest, most gorgeous” boy whom she doted on.
“It’s just absolutely devastating,” her friend said.
Anna Leask is a senior journalist who covers Christchurch issues and national crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for more than 20 years with a particular focus on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence and homicides. She writes, hosts and produces the award-winning podcast A Moment In Crime, released monthly on nzherald.co.nz.