New Zealand Sect Leader Sentenced Over Death of Chinese Elderly Follower
In a case that has drawn media attention across New Zealand and China, a court sentenced founder and leader Kaixiao Liu to over ten years in prison after the death of 70‑year‑old Shulai Wang, a Chinese migrant who lived with his followers in Auckland.
Wang, who travelled from Hainan island to New Zealand in August 2023, had moved into a home on the coast that Liu dubbed “the Ark”. Prosecutors said the house was the centre of a tightly‑controlled environment in which followers were referred to Liu as “Lord” or “Master” and were required to obey strict rules.
The 2024 homicide investigation began with the discovery of Wang’s body wrapped in rice bags at Gulf Harbour marina in March. The body was found outside a harbor, about two kilometres from a marina and a residential complex. A fisherman that day identified an unfamiliar bundle of rice bags, which investigators traced back to shipments purchased by Liu.
During the trial the court heard that Wang struggled with the daily restrictions, was frequently disciplined and, in March, attempted a breakout. While being restrained by Liu’s wife and close associates, Wang died later that day. The sentencing judge described the event as “a lonely, frightening death” caused by Liu’s “callous indifference”.
In addition to Liu’s conviction, his wife Lanyue Xiao received a nearly eight‑year sentence for kidnapping and manslaughter. Liu’s parents, Xiuyun Li and Jingui Liu, were also convicted, with further sentencing set for later this year, and faces charges related to the mishandling of human remains.
Liability was compounded by the fact that Liu had been living in New Zealand since 2017 and proclaimed himself a religious figure while marketing “cosmic” music on Chinese social media. He denied being a cult leader and maintained that he only attracted followers through his music. However, the court found that Liu’s act of human exploitation and record of kidnapping could not be justified under New Zealand law.
Despite the plea of remorse from Liu’s legal team, a judge ruled that the punishment matched the seriousness of the crime, highlighting the need for authorities to be vigilant about cult‑style abuse.
