Her friends, whānau, and partner agencies were also contacted.
In response to a Northern Advocate inquiry, Auckland central area investigations manager Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Friend said police had carried out extensive inquiries to locate Butler in the past year.
“Julie and her boat the Blazing Shadz remain unaccounted for.
“The matter has been referred to the coroner, who will ultimately make a ruling on this matter.”
Under New Zealand law, police can refer a missing person case to the coroner when inquiries have been exhausted, and investigators believe the person is likely dead. A coroner can then determine whether a death finding should be made, even when a body has not been recovered.
Speculation about Butler’s possible whereabouts has continued online since her disappearance, with many people saying they believe she is fulfilling her global sailing ambitions.
In 2014, Butler told the Bay of Plenty Times she had a dream to sail the world’s longest, single-handed, non-stop voyage.
The article detailed her years spent building Blazing Shadz and her plans to sail around New Zealand before eventually embarking on an ambitious voyage of up to 1000 days at sea.
Butler said the dream of completing the record-setting journey had shaped much of her adult life.
She has been described online as friendly and likeable, and numerous people have commented on her sailing prowess.
Blazing Shadz has been called an impressive and imposing vessel, well-maintained and impossible to miss.
Before building the schooner, Butler had reportedly owned and lived aboard an 11.5m steel yacht similarly called Blazing Shade.
Sarah Curtis is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on a wide range of issues. She has nearly 20 years’ experience in journalism, most of which she spent court reporting in Gisborne and on the East Coast.