Auckland man Hao Feng pleads guilty to downgraded charge of manslaughter over partner's death

An Auckland man strangled his partner in her home before going outside for a cigarette.

When he returned, she was dead.

Hao Feng had been charged with murder since he strangled Xiaoyan Wang in her Avondale home on 10 January 2025.

Appearing before Justice Brett Tantrum in the High Court at Auckland on Friday, the Crown withdrew the Hao Feng's charge of murder and replaced it with a charge of manslaughter.

The agreed summary of facts showed Feng and Wang had been in a relationship for more than a year, but lived at separate houses.

On Friday 10 January 2025, Feng arrived at Wang's Auckland home.

An argument ensued, which escalated to the point that Feng strangled Wang until she was unconscious.

He moved her body onto the couch and went outside to smoke a cigarette. When he came back inside to check on her, he found she was dead.

At about 10pm on the same day, Feng contacted an associate. He met the associate at the man's house where they made arrangements for the care of Feng's daughter the following day.

At about 11.14pm, Feng returned home, and made further arrangements for his daughter.

At about 1.15am the following morning, Feng called a friend, and told her he thought he had killed his girlfriend.

Following that discussion, he drove himself to the police station, while his friend contacted police.

Police ultimately arranged to meet Feng at Wang's address, where he directed them to Wang's body and police arrested him.

Lawyer for the defence William Mohammed on Friday acknowledged the families of the both the victim and the defendant, some of whom were in the court while others were listening in from overseas.

It was hoped the conviction would be one step closer to closure for Wang's family, Mohammed said.

"What happened that night ruined the lives of two good families."

In explanation, Feng said Wang was on top of him, assaulting him in the head when he strangled her.

Speaking on Friday with the help of a translator, Feng pleaded guilty to the manslaughter charge.

Justice Tantrum convicted Feng, and remanded him in custody to appear for sentencing on 26 August.

Where to get help:

Family Violence

• Women's Refuge: 0800 733 843.
• It's Not OK 0800 456 450.
• Shine: 0508 744 633.
• Victim Support: 0800 842 846.
• HELP Call 24/7 (Auckland): 09 623 1700, (Wellington): 04 801 6655.
• The National Network of Family Violence Services NZ has information on specialist family violence agencies.