In brief
A New Zealand court has sentenced Kaixiao Liu, a leader of a religious sect, to more than ten years in prison after the 70‑year‑old Chinese follower Shulai Wang was found dead wrapped in rice bags near Auckland’s Gulf Harbour. Liu was found guilty of manslaughter and kidnapping, and his wife and parents face separate charges. The case highlighted the tight control over followers who lived in Liu’s home, dubbed “the Ark,” and the cult‑like environment that claimed Wang was under “servitude.” The court condemned Liu’s lack of remorse and called his actions “callous indifference.” The sentencing underscores the UK and New Zealand authorities’ vigilance against cult‑type abuses abroad.
A New Zealand court has jailed Kaixiao Liu, the alleged leader of a religious sect, after the 70‑year‑old Chinese follower Shulai Wang was found dead wrapped in rice bags near Auckland’s Gulf Harbour in March 2024.
Liu was convicted of manslaughter and kidnapping and sentenced to more than ten years in prison. His wife, Lanyue Xiao, also received a nearly eight‑year sentence for kidnapping and manslaughter, while his parents face earlier convictions for kidnapping and improper handling of human remains.
The case unfolded when Wang travelled from Hainan Island in August 2023 to join Liu’s family at a home he called “the Ark,” along with several female followers. Prosecutors described the women as living in “servitude,” bound by strict rules and treated by Liu as “Lord” or “Master.”
Wang had reportedly struggled to keep up with the demands of the household, was frequently disciplined, and attempted an escape in March 2024. She was caught, restrained, and died later that day. Liu then led his children and followers to the marina at Gulf Harbour where the body was dumped, using the children as a form of camouflage.
Police traced the wrapped rice bags back to Liu, who had purchased a large volume of the specific brand of rice, linking him to the disposal of the body. The court condemned Liu’s “callous indifference” toward Wang and urged the public to recognize the dangers posed by cult‑style leaders.
