Latest news with #MeiHanChong
RNZ News
30-05-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Ellerslie murders: Shu Man Poon to serve 19 years in prison after guilty plea
Fuk-Fu Joseph Kwok and Mei Han Chong Photo: Supplied / NZ police The man who admitted to murdering an Ellerslie couple has been sentenced to at least 19 years in prison in the High Court at Auckland on Friday. Fuk-Fu Joseph Kwok and his wife Mei Han Chong were killed at their home in November 2023. Shu Man Poon, 43, was meant to stand trial for their murder at the beginning of this month, before pleading guilty on the day his trial was expected to start. Appearing before Justice Johnstone, he wiped tears from his eyes with his head bowed as the sentence was handed down. The victim's son was also present in court, sobbing as victim impact statements were read out before a packed public gallery. The court has suppressed any other details of Friday's sentencing, including victim impact statements. The other man charged with the couple's murder, Lok Fung Lorrence Li , 27, is expected to stand trial in August next year. Kwok's body was found in their Ellerslie home having been stabbed several times. Chong's body was found days later in the Greenhithe area, and with police saying she had died from blunt force injuries to the head . Detective Inspector Scott Beard said at the time the murders were beyond comprehension. "This news is understandably distressing to her family, in particular Mei and Joseph's son." "It is beyond comprehension for the family as to how something like this could happen to Mei and Joseph." The couple had moved to New Zealand from Hong Kong in 1988. They both had multiple siblings, including two who also live in New Zealand. Chong was a nurse before becoming a midwife, and was a supportive mother to her and Joseph's son. "When Mei came to New Zealand she felt the language barrier would be an issue for her as a nurse, so focused on her family. She also supported her son as he began a career in medicine. Beard said while she was very small in stature, she was "strong-minded and passionate about issues that were dear to her". Kwok was an orthopaedic nurse for many years and was "happy in his own world" and cared about supporting his family and doing a good job. "He was still working incredibly hard, and got home from work at 11.30pm the night before he was murdered. "Joseph and Mei were a loving couple whose careers involved helping other people. "Our thoughts are with them and their grieving family." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
08-05-2025
- RNZ News
Ellerslie murders: Accused man admits murdering Auckland couple
A man has admitted murdering an Auckland couple in their home during an incident in November 2023. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi A man admitted to murdering an Auckland couple in their Ellerslie home before his trial at the High Court in Auckland last week. It can now be reported Shuk Man Poon pleaded guilty last Monday to killing Fuk-Fu Joseph Kwok and Mei Han Chong in November 2023. The admission had been suppressed by Justice David Johnstone until Friday morning. The defendant is to be sentenced later this month. Another man, Lok Fung Lorrence Li pleaded not guilty to murdering the couple, causing his trial to be aborted and the jury to be discharged last Friday. The reason for this could also not be reported at the time. A new trial date would be set for Li.
RNZ News
01-05-2025
- RNZ News
Ellerslie double-murder trial begins
Fuk-Fu Joseph Kwok and Mei Han Chong. Photo: Supplied / NZ police The trial for the man accused of murdering a couple in the Auckland suburb of Ellerslie two years ago has begun. Lok Fung Lorrence Li, 27, is charged alongside Shu Man Poon, 43, for the killing of Fuk-Fu Joseph Kwok and his wife Mei Han Chong at their home in November 2023. The pair are also charged with conspiring to murder another person in a separate incident. Proceedings were due to start on Monday but were delayed, with Li's trial commencing on Thursday. Jury selection was underway in the High Court at Auckland before Justice David Johnstone. The scene of the homicide on Celtic Crescent in Ellerslie, Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro Police found Kwok's body in their Ellerslie home after he had been stabbed several times. Chong's body was found days later in the Greenhithe area. A post-mortem revealed she died from blunt force injuries to her head. The couple moved to New Zealand from Hong Kong in 1988. They both had multiple siblings, two of whom also lived in New Zealand. Chong had been a nurse before becoming a midwife and was a supportive mother to her and Kwok's son - their only child. Kwok was an orthopaedic nurse for many years and was "happy in his own world" and cared about supporting his family and doing a good job. Police at the time described the killing as beyond comprehension for the family. "Joseph and Mei were a loving couple whose careers involved helping other people," said Detective Inspector Scott Beard while addressing media at the time. The Crown was expected to deliver opening remarks later on Thursday. A lengthy list of witnesses called for the trial was read out to the potential jury. Li sat in the dock during jury selection, flanked by court interpreters. The trial continues.
