Believed murdered businesswoman had held investor seminars in China

An Auckland businesswoman believed to be murdered had actively sought immigrant investors from China.

Tuariki Delamere, a former immigration minister who is now a licensed immigration consultant, said he worked with Elizabeth Ying Zhong and led several seminars for investors in 2001 and 2002, mainly in Guangzhou.

Attendees were briefed on investment opportunities in New Zealand, and also aimed to enroll people interested in obtaining residency through the immigrant immigrant routes.

Delamere said the cooperation ceased due to differences of opinion.

Financial backers believed to be from mainland China are believed to be behind millions of dollars invested in the purchase of Zhong’s film company Digipost.

However, a New Zealand Immigration spokeswoman said the agency had not issued visas to people linked to this company.

Zhong, 55, was reported missing on Saturday before police made a grim discovery the next day. His body is believed to have been found in the trunk of his car about 500 meters from his home in Suzetta Place, Sunnyhills.

Delamere said that she found Zhong very attractive, friendly and enterprising, but that she had not been involved in any of his businesses or projects after 2010.

Auckland accountant Matthew Bellingham, who never met Zhong but did deal with his accountant and lawyer, said a significant amount, which he declined to disclose, appeared to have been paid for the Digipost purchase to foreign backers in China or Hong Kong. .

Bellingham said there was hardly any due diligence done on the purchase and no one seemed to care too much about the business.

Digipost was founded 30 years ago and was a key player in the Auckland film industry.

Manukau County Police Detective Inspector Shaun Vickers said the homicide investigation into Zhong’s death was continuing.

“The 55-year-old woman was found deceased inside her vehicle on Roadley Ave, Sunnyhills,” Vickers said.

“The police are still in the early stages of our investigation and have a significant number of inquiries to be made.”

Vickers said a detailed examination of the scene at the Sunnyhills address was not expected to be completed until the end of the week.

Although the formal identification of the body was still ongoing, Vickers said police believed the woman was Zhong.

“We continue to speak with various people known to Ms. Zhong as we work to piece together the events that led to her death,” she said.

Police continue to ask anyone who may have information to contact 105 and cite file number 201128/1909. Information can also be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.