In a high-profile criminal case that has drawn cross-border attention, a self-proclaimed spiritual leader has been handed a more than 10-year prison sentence by a New Zealand court after being convicted of the manslaughter and kidnapping of a 70-year-old Chinese follower whose body was discovered dumped near Auckland.
Kaixiao Liu, a former Chinese talent show contestant who relocated to New Zealand in 2017 and gained permanent residency, was found guilty of the charges stemming from the March 2024 death of Shulai Wang, a retired woman who traveled from China’s Hainan Island to join Liu’s inner circle of followers in August 2023. Wang’s remains were found wrapped in rice bags by a local fisherman near Gulf Harbour’s marina, triggering a months-long homicide investigation that ultimately implicated Liu and his entire immediate family.
Throughout the legal proceedings, Liu maintained his innocence, rejecting allegations that he leads a secretive religious cult. He has repeatedly claimed he only amassed followers through his musical work, which includes a self-created project called the Universal Choir that produces cosmic-themed orchestral pieces. Online, Liu built his following on Chinese social platforms by sharing religious discussions, personal video diaries, and clips of his singing performances. Before moving to New Zealand, Liu also previously studied at a Chinese military-focused university, and competed on the national televised talent program *China’s Got Talent* in 2011, where viral footage showed him performing a song while blindfolded on stage.
Court documents and trial testimony revealed that Wang moved into Liu’s Auckland residence—dubbed “the Ark” by the leader—alongside multiple other female followers. Prosecutors told the court that the women lived in conditions of servitude, with every aspect of their daily lives tightly controlled by Liu, who required them to address him as “Lord” or “Master.” Wang’s daily routine consisted of caring for Liu’s young children, studying religious texts written by Liu, and growing vegetables on the property. Due to her advanced age, Wang struggled to adapt to the group’s strict rules and faced repeated disciplinary action for non-compliance.
According to court accounts, Wang attempted to escape the compound in March 2024, but was quickly captured and restrained by Liu and his associates. She died later that same day. Following her death, Liu, his family members, and close followers transported Wang’s body to Gulf Harbour and dumped it near the marina, with Liu bringing his own children along on the trip to act as a cover for the activity. Investigators ultimately linked the crime to Liu after tracing the specific brand of rice used to wrap the body back to him: Liu had made an unusually large bulk purchase of the rice shortly before Wang’s death.
Alongside Liu, his wife Lanyue Xiao received a nearly eight-year prison sentence after being convicted on overlapping charges of kidnapping and manslaughter. Liu’s parents, Xiuyun Li and Jingui Liu, have already been found guilty of kidnapping and improper handling of human remains, and are scheduled to receive their official sentences later this year.
During Tuesday’s sentencing hearing, Liu’s legal team requested judicial leniency, telling the court that their client feels genuine remorse for his actions and repeated his claim that he is not a cult leader. However, Justice Mathew Downs, the presiding judge, rejected these appeals, issuing harsh criticism of Liu’s actions. In his remarks from the bench, Downs stated that Liu had demonstrated “callous indifference” to Wang’s well-being, adding: “Because of you, Ms Wang died a lonely, frightening death. You display no remorse whatsoever. You should feel shame.”
New Zealand police have also released an official photo of Shulai Wang as part of the public records of the case, confirming her identity as the victim who left her home in China to join Liu’s group.