Hunt on for kidnappers after woman released

Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Gutry said the kidnappers were 'low-life parasites'. Picture / Fotopress

Police are on the trail of a group of men who yesterday kidnapped a woman from her East Auckland home before releasing her bound and gagged 20 hours later.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Gutry said the hunt now "begins in earnest" for the attackers, who he described as "low-life parasites".

There was delight among officers that Qing Zhao, also known as Kelly, had been released apparently unharmed.

Mrs Zhao, who is Chinese, was taken from her home in Howick in the early hours of yesterday. She was found outside a factory in Onehunga at 11pm last night following a phonecall to police.

"It's a great day in a policeman's career when he can reunite husband and wife as we did in the early hours of this morning. That was a pretty special moment," Detective Senior Sergeant Neil Grimstone said.

Mr Gurty added: "Clearly now time is on our side now because our tactics have been vindicated and the hunt for the attackers begins in earnest."

He is refusing to say who made the phonecall which led to her discovery. And police also declined to say if they had any ideas of the identity of the kidnappers.

From the time she was taken from the house Mrs Zhao was bound and blindfolded until she was dumped late last night, Mr Grimstone said.

"Therefore her recollection and her value in having seen these people is certainly limited because in effect she hasn't seen them and that is a problem for us," he said.

Language difficulties are hampering the inquiry, but Mr Grimstone said police had the support of the Chinese community.

"They have got in behind and perhaps shaken a few trees themselves and maybe that is what has caused this lady to fall free," Mr Grimstone said.

Police forensic experts are examining the house and the woman's car as well as the spot where she was dumped. It is not yet known if they have any evidence, such as fingerprints, which might lead them to the kidnappers.

Mrs Zhao and her husband have a 19-year-old daughter who moved out of the family home to be nearer university.

The family, who own a $2m house, have no business interests in New Zealand and are involved in the telecommunications industry in China.

- NZPA, HERALD STAFF