Report by elocal
Jury Hears Secret Recordings Recovered By Police
The trial surrounding the death of 70-year-old Chinese national Shulai Wang took a dramatic turn this week as jurors heard recordings allegedly captured inside the Gulf Harbour property where Wang spent her final days.
The recordings, recovered from a laptop seized by police, were played in the High Court at Auckland as prosecutors continued presenting their case against four family members accused of kidnapping and manslaughter.
Wang's body was discovered wrapped in plastic bags in Auckland's Gulf Harbour in March 2024.
The defendants are Kaixiao Liu, who described himself as the leader of a religious group, his wife Lanyue Xiao, and his parents Xiuyun Li and Jingui Liu.
According to the Crown, Wang travelled from China's Hainan province seeking religious instruction before becoming effectively trapped inside the family home.
Recordings Allegedly Reveal Discussions About Restraint
The court heard several recordings dated between 6 and 27 March 2024 had been saved on Liu's laptop.
Prosecutors allege the recordings capture conversations between the defendants and other women living at the property.
According to evidence presented in court, discussions included methods of restraining Wang after she allegedly attempted to escape.
The Crown says Wang was at various times confined, denied food and prevented from seeking medical assistance.
Jurors heard recordings in which participants allegedly discussed tying Wang's hands and feet, using restraints and preventing her from calling out.
The Crown argues these conversations form part of a broader pattern of control and confinement inside the household.
Escape Attempt and Final Days
The trial has previously heard evidence that Wang attempted to flee the property on 6 March by trying to reach a neighbouring home.
She was reportedly returned to the residence by others living there.
Prosecutors allege Wang's treatment deteriorated following the attempted escape.
In recordings played to the jury, Liu allegedly described Wang as someone who had failed to follow the group's teachings and repeatedly framed her actions as harmful to the household.
The Crown says Wang later died while still under the control of those living at the property.
Discussions About What To Do After Death
One of the most significant pieces of evidence presented this week involved recordings allegedly made after Wang had died.
The jury heard evidence that participants discussed options for dealing with her body.
According to the Crown, suggestions raised in the conversations included burial, burning the body, disposing of it in a forest, or placing it at sea.
Prosecutors allege the recordings show planning around how the body could be wrapped, transported and ultimately disposed of.
The Crown says Wang's body was eventually discovered in Gulf Harbour wrapped in plastic bags.
Medical Evidence Remains Central
A key issue in the trial remains the cause of Wang's death.
Earlier evidence from pathologist Dr Kilak Kesha stated there was no obvious anatomical cause of death.
The absence of a clear physical injury or disease process means prosecutors are relying heavily on the broader circumstances surrounding Wang's treatment, confinement and final days.
The Crown argues the totality of the evidence demonstrates unlawful conduct that ultimately contributed to her death.
Defendants Deny Wrongdoing
The defendants have denied the charges.
During the trial, Liu has maintained that Wang brought harm upon herself and that actions taken by those in the household were justified.
His parents have also denied knowledge of Wang's presence at the property.
The defence case is expected to challenge both the Crown's interpretation of the recordings and its conclusions regarding responsibility for Wang's death.
A Trial Drawing National Attention
The Gulf Harbour case has become one of New Zealand's most closely watched criminal trials, raising questions about coercive control, religious influence, isolation and vulnerability.
As the fourth week of proceedings continues in the High Court at Auckland, jurors are being asked to assess a complex body of evidence that includes recordings, witness testimony, forensic evidence and the circumstances leading to Wang's death.
The trial continues.
Source: RNZ reporting by Liu Chen, RNZ Chinese and RNZ Asia, 16 June 2026.