Auckland murder: Victim Elizabeth Zhong's vineyard company Carrick Wines $12m in debt

Carrick Wines in Bannockburn near Queenstown was put up for tender in December. Photo / Dean Purcell

An Otago vineyard owned by a murdered Auckland woman owed more than $12 million when it went into receivership.

Carrick Wines Ltd, in Bannockburn, was owned by 55-year-old Elizabeth Zhong, who was found dead in the boot of her car in November, near her East Auckland house.

At the time of her death, she faced court action amid claims she owed associates millions of dollars.

Zhong was the sole director and shareholder of two wine-making companies, Waiheke Island's Kennedy Point Group Ltd and Central Otago's Carrick Wines Ltd.

Carrick Wines Ltd had been for sale for about 18 months before Zhong's death and was put into receivership following her death.

Elizabeth Zhong of Sunnyhills, Auckland. Photo / Supplied

Andrew McKay and Andrew Bethell were appointed joint receivers on November 2.

Their first report, dated December 29, revealed the company owed $12.32m at the time it went into receivership.

The bulk of that, $9.64m, was to a bank, while a further $2.2m was owed to shareholders.

New Zealand Customs was owed $20,000 in unpaid excise fees, and employees were owed $45,000.

The report noted that, after it was completed, $3.56m of bank debt had been repaid through the settlement of property, leaving an outstanding bank debt of $6.09m.

Police and forensics examine a property in east Auckland after the death of Elizabeth Zhong. Photo / Sylvie Whinray

It also noted it was too early to determine whether any funds would be available for unsecured creditors.

The vineyard was listed for sale and put up for tender in December.

Police are still investigating Zhong's death. She was last seen alive on the evening of Friday, November 27.