Police investigating the disappearance of Leo Gao and Kara Mary Jo Hurring have finished speaking to the family member who was with them and who returned to Auckland from Hong Kong yesterday.
The individual has told police that Kara Hurring was still in the Hong Kong area but they did not know the current whereabouts of Leo Gao.
This person is being treated as a witness and has not been charged with any offence.
Mr Gao and Ms Hurring are being sought in connection with the inappropriate operation of a Westpac business account in which $3.8m is still unaccounted for.
Police are continuing to work on the preparation of a mutual assistance request to the Chinese Government.
Detective Senior Sergeant David Harvey has repeated his call for Mr Gao and Ms Hurring to return to New Zealand:
"I again urge them to reflect on their options, take the opportunity to come back to New Zealand, and get this matter resolved before all the money is spent" he said.
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Contact: Grant Ogilvie, Senior Media Advisor, Police National Headquarters: 04 474 9476