Key Takeaways
- The body of 70‑year‑old Shulai Wang, a Chinese national, was discovered wrapped in plastic bags and bound to two SunRice bags containing over 15 kg of stones in Gulf Harbour in March 2024.
- Four members of a single family—grandmother Xiuyun Li, her son Kaixiao Liu, his wife, and her husband—are charged with kidnapping and manslaughter; all are representing themselves at trial.
- The Crown alleges that Wang and five other Chinese women were kept in “servitude” in the family’s Orewa home, that Wang was starved for breaking household rules, and that she was later bound after a failed escape attempt.
- During a police interview, Li said she did not know Wang, claimed five “homeless ladies” lived in the house, and stated that the family bought 10 kg of SunRice because larger packs were too heavy to carry.
- A diary entry written by Li five days before Wang’s body was found noted “there was no more sound coming from her,” which the Crown presented as evidence of neglect.
- Another woman who lived in the house told police that a person “fell over and passed away,” a statement that helped investigators identify Wang; the five women were later deported for visa overstays.
- The trial continues, with the defence arguing Li lacked intent to harm Wang and that she was primarily occupied with caring for her grandchildren.
Background of the Case
The case centres on the death of Shulai Wang, a 70‑year‑old woman from Hainan, China, whose bruised body was recovered from the water at Gulf Harbour on 12 March 2024. Investigators found the corpse wrapped in plastic bags and secured to two SunRice bags that together held more than 15 kilograms of stones—a method suggestive of an attempt to weigh the body down. The discovery prompted a police investigation that quickly focused on a residential property on Harvest Avenue in Orewa, where Wang had been living with a Chinese family. The Crown alleges that Wang, along with five other Chinese nationals, were kept in conditions amounting to servitude and that Wang’s death resulted from neglect and abuse within that household.
Charges and Defendants
Four members of the same family face charges: Xiuyun Li (63), her son Kaixiao Liu, Liu’s wife, and Li’s husband. All are accused of kidnapping and manslaughter. Notably, each defendant is representing themselves in the Auckland High Court, a fact that has added complexity to the proceedings. Immigration records revealed that Li had worked as a doctor in China for 37 years before moving to New Zealand, a detail the Crown has used to underscore her capacity to understand the gravity of the alleged offences. The prosecution contends that the family exercised control over the women living in their home, imposing strict rules and meting out punishment for perceived infractions.
Alleged Conditions in the House
According to the Crown, Wang and the five other Chinese women resided in the family’s Orewa house under conditions described as “servitude.” The women were said to be very thin, fatigued, and often seen with hands clasped in prayer, reluctant to engage with authorities. The Crown argues that Wang was subjected to starvation as a penalty for breaking household rules, and that after a failed attempt to leave the residence she was bound with tape and ultimately killed. The presence of the SunRice bags filled with stones is presented as evidence of a deliberate effort to conceal the body after her death.
Police Interview with Xiuyun Li
Detective Constable Junfan Luo interviewed Li on the day following a police search of the Harvest Avenue home, before any charges had been laid against her. Luo testified that Li was aware a female body had been found on 12 March 2024 and that her son had already spoken to police. When shown a photograph of Wang, Li stated she did not recognise the woman and had never heard the name “Shulai Wang.” She also denied familiarity with the singlet and blue pyjama pants found on the corpse. Li told officers that five “homeless ladies” lived in the house, each responsible for her own laundry—a claim Luo corroborated after further questioning.
Details About Household Supplies
Li explained to police that the family purchased 10 kilogram packs of SunRice because the standard 25‑kilogram bags were too heavy for them to carry. She noted that, given the number of people residing in the home, a 10‑kilogram supply lasted approximately three days. When shown images of the stones recovered from Wang’s body, Li said she recognised similar stones from around the property, possibly located in the front yard. These statements were intended to demonstrate Li’s lack of direct involvement with the victim while also providing context about the household’s daily logistics.
Diary Entry and Defence Arguments
Crown Prosecutor Emma Kerr introduced a diary entry written by Li approximately five days before Wang’s body was discovered, in which Li wrote, “there was no more sound coming from her.” The Crown presented this as indicative of neglect or awareness of Wang’s deteriorating condition. In response, Li’s standby lawyer, Philip Hamlin, argued that Li harbored no intent to kidnap or harm Wang, emphasizing that she spent most of her time caring for her four grandchildren and had minimal contact with the boarder. Hamlin maintained that Li did not deprive Wang of necessities and that any alleged mistreatment was not the result of purposeful wrongdoing on Li’s part.
Testimony of Another Household Resident
A woman who also lived in the house gave police a pivotal account: she said a person “fell over and passed away… it’s nothing to do with my friends.” Detective Constable He Gong, who recorded the interview, recalled the woman’s exact words and noted that the gender of the fallen individual was not specified. The woman’s statement helped police link the unidentified deceased to Shulai Wang. Subsequent investigations revealed that all five women residing in the house had overstayed their visas by more than 42 days; they had no right to appeal deportation and were removed from New Zealand in August 2024. Their identities remain suppressed by court order.
Current Status of the Trial
The trial is ongoing, with the Crown continuing to present evidence aimed at proving that Wang’s death resulted from neglect, abuse, and an intentional effort to conceal the body. The defence persists in asserting a lack of intent on Li’s part and highlighting her role as a grandmother caring for young children. As the proceedings unfold, the jury will weigh the conflicting narratives—whether Wang’s demise was a tragic consequence of alleged servitude and neglect, or whether the evidence falls short of proving the charged offences beyond a reasonable doubt. The outcome will have significant implications not only for the defendants but also for how New Zealand addresses cases involving alleged exploitation of vulnerable migrant workers.