Acquitted man returns voluntarily to China

A man found not guilty last month of murdering his lover will have an immigration removal order against him withdrawn and will voluntarily return to China.

Feng Li, 44, was served with the removal order on July 24 immediately after he was found not guilty of murdering Auckland massage parlour owner Xiukun Feng, also known as Nancy Peterson.

But under a deal with the Department of Labour, he will leave New Zealand of his own accord.

The removal order would have banned Mr Li from returning to New Zealand for five years.

His lawyer, Simon Laurent, said Mr Li's New Zealand work permit had expired in May. He had surrendered his passport because of the murder charge, so could not apply for another permit or leave New Zealand voluntarily.

Mr Laurent said he had not discussed whether Mr Li would apply for another visa, but his wife remained in New Zealand and "as a matter of logic I presume he would".

- NZPA