The high court in Auckland sentenced Kaixiao Liu, 39, and his wife, Lanyue Xiao, 38, to prison terms on Tuesday in connection with the death of 70-year-old Shulai Wang. Liu received a sentence of 10 years and five months for manslaughter and kidnapping, while Xiao was sentenced to seven years and 11 months. Wang, who had traveled from China to live in the couple's household, died in March 2024 after being restrained and denied food and water.
Justice Mathew Downs identified Liu as the ringleader of a religious group based at a residence in Orewa, Auckland, which the residents referred to as the "Ark." According to court proceedings, the household included Liu’s parents and six women from China. Prosecutors stated that Liu enforced strict rules, requiring women to refer to him as "lord" or "master." While Wang spent her time caring for Liu's children and studying religious texts, she reportedly struggled with the household requirements.
The court heard that in March 2024, Wang attempted to leave the residence but was captured and held for approximately 38 hours. During this period, her mouth was taped shut and she was denied food and water. Following her death, her body was wrapped in rice sacks and transported to Gulf Harbour, where it was discovered by a fisherman days later. Police linked the packaging to Liu after investigating large purchases of a specific brand of rice.
The scale of the case is centered on a single household, yet it resulted in four separate convictions. Liu and Xiao will serve approximately 10 and 8 years respectively, while Liu’s parents, Xiuyun Li and Jingui Liu, await sentencing for kidnapping and misconduct involving human remains. The court noted that Liu and Xiao have five children, with a sixth expected, all of whom face separation from their parents during these prison terms. The judge noted that the detention and disposal methods used by Liu were also used to intimidate other women in the house, suggesting a broader impact on the mental and physical security of the group's members.
The legal proceedings set a precedent in New Zealand regarding the accountability of group leaders for the actions of their followers and the treatment of those under their care. The use of electronic evidence was also highlighted, as Liu was convicted of refusing to provide passwords to police. Next steps include the sentencing of Liu's parents, Xiuyun Li and Jingui Liu, which is scheduled for later this year. The remaining women in the household may face changes to their residency status given the judge's statement regarding their illegal presence in the country.