Peter Gardner and his travelling partner, Sydney woman Kalynda Davis, who was released in December after a month in custody without charge.
A young New Zealander facing drugs charges and a possible death penalty goes on trial today in China.
Peter Gardner, 25, has been detained in China accused of trying to smuggle 40kg of methamphetamine out of the country.
A trial for Gardner, a dual citizen of New Zealand and Australia, was set to be begin today.
It was expected to last no longer than two days.
Gardner's former boss Michael Kulakovski, earlier told The New Zealand Herald he was surprised to hear of the charges.
"He's a young kid who's got so much ahead of him, so it's shame if he gets convicted."
Gardner was a "great guy," he added.
The 25-year-old was expected to plead not guilty in a case that three judges will hear in a small Guangzhou courtroom, News Corporation reported.
"If he is convicted he will have 10 days to launch an appeal," Chen Yong, partner of Guangzhou Baijian Law Firm told News Corp Australia.
The internet entrepreneur shared news of his health setback to social media.