New Zealand / Otago

Hong Kong national who died in Arrowtown yet to be reported missing, police say

17:36 pm on 27 October 2022

Police are still trying to trace the family of a tourist who died on an Arrowtown walking track so they can send his body home.

Wai Ming Lai, 51, who was visiting from Hong Kong, was on a hiking trail at Sawpit Gully when he was found struggling to breathe.

Detective Senior Sargent Malcolm Inglis said other walkers administered CPR but Lai, who was in "bad shape", died at the scene.

Since his death, no-one has reported Lai missing or raised concerns about him not returning to accommodation.

Inglis told Checkpoint Lai arrived in New Zealand on 27 July but his movements around the country were unknown.

He had arrived on a flight from Hobart, Australia and was meant to depart New Zealand on 18 October but did not get on the flight.

Police have yet to be able to track down family members in Hong Kong - something a liasion officer in the city was working on.

Inglis said police would like his family to be made aware of what had happened and be able to repatriate his body.

Wai Ming Lai, 51, died suddenly on a walking track in Arrowtown over the weekend. Photo: NZ Police

Since news of Lai's death was reported, Inglis said police had been contacted by a hotel in Wānaka which said he had stayed there about a week ago.

This had helped police determine he was travelling with a large silver suitcase - something they wanted to track down.

"We're really still slightly in the dark as to his movements," Inglis said.

He hoped finding the suitcase would have some further documentation which would help track down family members. Police only had Lai's passport at this stage.

Establishing Lai's cause of death was still to be determined - and an autopsy was still being waited on.

"If anyone has had contact, stayed at their accommodation with him. any background around his movements would be helpful," Inglis said.