A New Zealand religious leader has been sentenced to more than 10 years in prison after being convicted over the death of a 70-year-old follower who had travelled from China to live with him and his family.
Kaixiao Liu was found guilty of manslaughter and kidnapping after Shulai Wang died in March 2024. Her body was later discovered wrapped in rice bags near Auckland’s Gulf Harbour, prompting a major homicide investigation.
Liu denied the charges during his trial and rejected claims that he was the leader of a cult. He maintained that people were drawn to him because of his music. Wang had travelled from China’s Hainan island to New Zealand in August 2023 and moved into Liu’s family home, which he reportedly called “the Ark”. Several other female followers also lived at the property.
Wang’s Death
Prosecutors told the court that the women were expected to serve Liu and his family and lived under strict rules. They reportedly referred to Liu as “Lord” or “Master”. Wang spent her time caring for Liu’s children, studying scripture and growing vegetables. The court heard that she struggled to follow the rules, possibly because of her age, and was repeatedly disciplined.
In March 2024, Wang attempted to escape from the property but was caught and restrained. She died later that day. Liu, his family and other followers then allegedly transported her body to Gulf Harbour and left it near a marina. Liu reportedly took his children with him during the trip as “camouflage”.
A fisherman discovered Wang’s body several days later. Police eventually connected Liu to the rice bags used to wrap the remains after finding that he had made unusually large purchases of the same brand of rice.
Liu’s wife, Lanyue Xiao, was also convicted and sentenced to almost eight years in prison for kidnapping, manslaughter and other offences. Liu’s parents, Xiuyun Li and Jingui Liu, were previously convicted of kidnapping and misconduct relating to human remains and are due to be sentenced later this year.
During Tuesday’s sentencing, Liu’s lawyer asked the court for leniency, arguing that his client was remorseful and did not consider himself a cult leader. Justice Mathew Downs, however, said Liu had shown “callous indifference” towards Wang. The judge said Wang had died a “lonely, frightening death” and criticised Liu for showing no remorse.
Liu’s Background
Liu’s background as a musician had helped him build a following before the events that led to Wang’s death. New Zealand media reported that he attended a military-based university in China and appeared on China’s Got Talent in 2011, where online footage showed him performing while blindfolded.
Liu moved to New Zealand with Xiao around 2017 and later became a permanent resident. He subsequently attracted followers through Chinese social media, where he shared religious discussions, video diaries and recordings of himself singing. He also founded a project called Universal Choir, which produced orchestral music with cosmic themes.
A police officer who interviewed one of Liu’s female followers told the court that she had met the group online through a music website and initially regarded the people living at the property as friends.
The case later exposed the strict control prosecutors said Liu exercised over his followers and culminated in Wang’s death. As well as the subsequent convictions of Liu and members of his family.
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