An Auckland man who fatally strangled his partner in her Avondale home has been sentenced to four years and two months in prison. The High Court heard Hao Feng had two previous reports of strangling Xiaoyan Wang on his police file, including one incident in which she was reportedly rendered unconscious.
eLocal Report: Based on reporting by Amy Williams, Senior Reporter for RNZ, HERE.
Hao Feng, 37, appeared in the High Court at Auckland on Wednesday for sentencing over the death of his partner, 40-year-old Xiaoyan Wang, who died at her Avondale home in January 2025.
Feng had originally been facing a murder charge but pleaded guilty to manslaughter in May after the Crown withdrew the murder charge.
Justice Natalie Walker sentenced him to four years and two months' imprisonment.
The court heard Feng strangled Wang until she lost consciousness. He then moved her onto a couch and went outside to smoke a cigarette.
When he returned to check on her, Wang was dead.
Feng later co-operated with police.
Two Previous Strangling Reports
One of the most significant details disclosed during sentencing was that Feng already had two reports of strangling Wang recorded on his police file.
According to RNZ's account of the sentencing, one of those earlier incidents involved Wang being strangled to the point of unconsciousness.
The Crown argued Feng's offending represented a significant breach of trust and also pointed to his delay in seeking assistance after Wang had been strangled.
Family and friends packed the public gallery for sentencing, with many reportedly wiping away tears as victim impact statements were presented.
A Paediatric Nurse Remembered for Her Kindness
Wang worked as a paediatric nurse at Starship Children's Hospital, where the court heard she was a valued and beloved member of the team.
Her mother described her only child as kind, gentle and caring and said her career reflected the person she was.
"She carried kindness and compassion into her work."
Her mother told the court she had lost her husband only a year before losing her daughter, leaving her struggling daily with grief and severe emotional suffering.
A cousin's victim impact statement described Wang as someone who loved life, enjoyed travelling, cooking and growing flowers and plants.
She said Wang had a kind heart and "deserved a happy future."
Feng Expresses Remorse
Feng's lawyer, William Mohammed, told the court his client was deeply sorry for his actions and accepted responsibility for Wang's death.
Feng said through his lawyer:
"I've no excuse for my actions. What I did was wrong."
He also apologised to Wang's family for the harm his actions had caused.
The court heard Feng had moved to New Zealand from China while married and with two young children, hoping to improve his life and provide opportunities for his family.
Following his divorce, he began a relationship with Wang, although they maintained separate homes.
His eldest daughter, then aged 12, was living with him when Wang was killed. His younger daughter remained in China with her mother and had reportedly been kept unaware of his offending.
Judge Accepts Remorse
Justice Walker accepted Feng was genuinely remorseful and recognised the impact his offending had had on both Wang's family and his own.
The judge had received letters supporting Feng from family members in China, including his former wife, older sister and eldest daughter, now 14.
Those letters indicated his offending had come as a surprise to people who knew him well.
But the consequences for Wang and her family were irreversible.
The sentence leaves Feng serving four years and two months for manslaughter after strangling Wang until she was unconscious and subsequently discovering she had died.
The disclosure of the two earlier strangulation reports also places renewed attention on one of the recognised warning signs in family violence: previous non-fatal strangulation.
Family Violence Support
If you or somebody you know is experiencing family violence, support is available:
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 111.
Source: Amy Williams, RNZ — Hao Feng sentenced to four years and two months in prison for fatally strangling partner in her home. Original report.
Independent reporting. Original context. Credited sources.