Key Takeaways
- Four members of a self‑styled religious group are on trial for the kidnapping and manslaughter of 70‑year‑old Shulai Wang.
- Wang’s body was found wrapped in rubbish bags in Auckland’s Gulf Harbour on 12 March 2024, eight months after she entered New Zealand.
- The Crown alleges Wang and five other Chinese women lived in “servitude” at the defendants’ Orewa home, addressing Kaixiao Liu as “the lord.”
- Immigration officer Alexander Ballerau testified that the five other women were unlawfully present, refused to speak during interviews, and were deported in August 2024.
- During cross‑examination, Kaixiao Liu asked whether the deported women could be facilitated to return as witnesses for “open justice.”
- Lanyue Xiao’s standby lawyer questioned the women’s right to appeal and whether overstayers involved in criminal proceedings could remain in the country.
- The trial continues with all defendants self‑represented, assisted by standby lawyers.
Background of the Case
On 12 March 2024 a fisherman discovered a body wrapped in multiple layers of rubbish bags floating in the waters of Auckland’s Gulf Harbour. The deceased was identified as Shulai Wang, a 70‑year‑old woman who had arrived in New Zealand eight months earlier. Police investigations revealed that Wang had come to the country seeking religious instruction from a self‑styled group led by Kaixiao Liu. Her death prompted a homicide inquiry that eventually uncovered allegations of prolonged abuse and confinement within the group’s Orewa residence. The discovery of the body marked the beginning of a high‑profile criminal trial that has drawn attention to the treatment of migrant workers in religious‑based communities.
Charges and the Defendants
Four individuals are charged with kidnapping and manslaughter in connection with Wang’s death: Kaixiao Liu, his wife Lanyue Xiao, and Liu’s parents Xiuyun Li and Jingui Liu. Each defendant has pleaded not guilty and is representing themselves in court, although standby lawyers are present to provide legal assistance if needed. The Crown asserts that the Liu family exercised authoritarian control over the women who lived in their home, treating them as servants and subjecting them to strict rules. The self‑representation of the defendants adds an unusual layer to the proceedings, as they must navigate legal procedures while also presenting their own defence.
The Crown’s Allegations of Servitude and Abuse
Prosecutors contend that Wang and five other Chinese women were compelled to live in “servitude” at the Liu family’s Orewa home, where they were required to address Kaixiao Liu as “the lord.” According to the Crown, the women were subjected to a regime of strict rules, limited food, and punishment for perceived disobedience. Wang allegedly suffered starvation and was later bound in tape after a failed escape attempt, which ultimately led to her death. The prosecution argues that these conditions amounted to unlawful confinement and contributed directly to Wang’s demise, forming the basis for the kidnapping and manslaughter charges.
Immigration Officer Ballerau’s Testimony
Immigration officer Alexander Ballerau testified that the five other Chinese women residing with the Liu family were all unlawfully present in New Zealand at the time of the investigation. Two of the women had first arrived in January 2020, while the remaining three entered in 2023. Ballerau stated that none of the women spoke during their individual interviews with immigration officials, and they did not engage with Mandarin interpreters; three of them merely smiled throughout the process. Because they had overstayed their visas beyond the 42‑day appeal window, the women were deported in August 2024. Ballerau confirmed that police had indicated the women were no longer needed for the investigation, which allowed immigration to proceed with deportation.
Liu’s Request to Bring the Deported Women Back
During Kaixiao Liu’s cross‑examination of another immigration officer, Mohammed Arour, Liu asked whether the officer could facilitate the return of the deported women so they could testify at trial, framing the request as a matter of “open justice” and the “search for truth.” Justice Downs interrupted Liu, cautioning him not to assume what others were thinking and urging him to re‑phrase the question. Arour responded that the Immigration Minister possesses the authority to override the five‑year re‑entry ban that normally applies to deported persons, and such an override could be sought through an immigration adviser or lawyer. Liu then inquired whether this could be accomplished within three weeks, to which Arour replied that he could not provide a definitive timeline.
Xiao’s Cross‑Examination and Legal Arguments
Lanyue Xiao’s standby lawyer, Quentin Duff, questioned Ballerau about the women’s right to appeal their deportation orders. Ballerau explained that the right to appeal expired 42 days after the visa expiry, a period that had long passed for all five women given their overstay status. Duff then asked whether overstayers who are involved in criminal proceedings or serve as witnesses are permitted to remain in New Zealand. Ballerau affirmed that such individuals may be allowed to stay, noting that the same provision applies to witnesses. He clarified that deportation decisions are made solely by immigration authorities, not police, although immigration will act on police advice that a person is no longer of interest to an investigation.
Current Status and Next Steps
The trial remains ongoing, with the jury having heard extensive testimony from Crown witnesses, including immigration officials and the prosecutor’s outline of the alleged abuse. All four defendants continue to represent themselves, supported by standby lawyers who step in when procedural advice is required. The case has highlighted broader concerns about the vulnerability of migrant workers in insular religious communities and the interplay between immigration enforcement and criminal investigations. As proceedings continue, the court will determine whether the Crown’s allegations of kidnapping and manslaughter are proven beyond reasonable doubt. A daily newsletter, Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, offers updates on the trial for those wishing to follow developments.