Hongxia May Chen

Hongxia May Chen is a former owner of a Mount Maunganui property that was found to be operating as an illegal brothel during New Zealand's COVID-19 lockdown. Chen faced charges for aiding and abetting visa breaches involving Chinese sex workers and had her assets, valued at over $1 million, forfeited to the Crown after a lengthy investigation by police and immigration authorities. Despite claiming financial hardship and a desire to help vulnerable women, the court noted her actions had exploited their vulnerabilities.