Sect Leader Jailed Over Death of Chinese Visitor in New Zealand

A New Zealand court has sentenced Kaixiao Liu, the self‑proclaimed leader of a religious sect, to more than 10 years behind bars for manslaughter and kidnapping in the death of 70‑year‑old Shulai Wang, who arrived from China to live with Liu’s followers.

Wang’s body, wrapped in rice bags, was found near Auckland’s Gulf Harbour marina in March 2024. Investigators traced the rice to Liu, who had recently made large purchases of the same brand, and traced the movement of the garbage to the house he called “the Ark”.

Prosecutors said Wang had struggled to keep up with Liu’s strict household rules and was frequently disciplined. In an attempt to escape on the day of her death, she was restrained and later died in a body‑mashed on the shoreline. The court heard that Liu and his family dumped her body there as a cover‑up, involving his children to disguise the scene.

Liu denies being a cult leader and insists he only attracted followers through music. He claims he is remorseful and the “callous indifference” described by Justice Mathew Downs has been overstated. Nevertheless, he has been found guilty of two counts of manslaughter and kidnapping.

His wife, Lanyue Xiao, was convicted of nearly eight years for kidnapping and manslaughter, while his mother Xiuyun Li and father Jingui Liu were previously convicted of kidnapping and misconduct related to human remains and await sentencing later this year.

The case raises concerns about the influence of charismatic leaders in religious communities and the vulnerability of migrant followers in foreign countries.