Men appear in court on kidnap charges

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Neil Grimstone speaking to media at a house in Point England, Auckland, where Qing Zhao was allegedly held. Picture / Fotopress

Two men charged over the kidnapping of a woman from her Howick, east Auckland, home last week appeared in Manukau District Court today.

Both men each faced four charges -- kidnapping Qing (Kelly) Zhao, 42, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary and using a firearm.

Both accused, who are of Chinese origin, were granted interim name suppression and were remanded in custody without plea until March 31.

Police said earlier today they were still seeking two other Chinese men in connection with the kidnapping

Ms Zhao was taken at gunpoint after three Asian men broke into her Howick home on March 7.

The men demanded a $1 million ransom but later dumped her in bushes in an industrial area of suburban Otahuhu without receiving any money.

She managed to free herself and phone police.

Ms Zhao told police she slipped in and out of consciousness during the time she was held.

- NZPA