It was not revealed in court where Hurring would serve her home detention but, up until yesterday, she had been living with her mother in Blenheim.
Outside court all Hui Gao's lawyer, Ron Mansfield, would say about the missing money was that Gao could not offer to pay reparation. When Mr Mansfield was asked again where the money was he replied "I've given my answer on that."
Mr Mansfield said the sentence would not be any surprise to anyone but he thought it was stern. He said he was yet to discuss with Gao about whether he wanted to appeal the sentence.
Hurring's friend, Ruthy LeVaillant, who was in court yesterday, said outside court the sentence was a "good result" for Hurring.
"They weren't the only ones who made a mistake. The bank made a mistake too. She [Hurring] was a woman who stood by her man ... she got caught up in the whirlwind."
Ms LeVaillant said her son had worked for Gao and it was he who suggested to Gao he get an overdraft.
The officer in charge of the case, Detective Inspector Mark Loper, is overseas but Rotorua police area commander Inspector Bruce Horne said the sentencings concluded a long and complex investigation characterised by some unique challenges.
"The investigation team has worked extremely hard to resolve this case. I acknowledge their professionalism and tenacity and thank them for the effort they have made to bring this case to a successful conclusion. I also acknowledge the assistance of the authorities in Hong Kong and other agencies in New Zealand and overseas who assisted New Zealand Police with this investigation."
Linda Woon, who is the principal of Otonga School attended by Hurring's daughter Lena before she left New Zealand with her mother, said she was pleased to hear that Hurring had not gone to jail.
"It would have been devastating for the child otherwise, wouldn't it?"
Bill Barnett, the original owner of the BP Barnett Service Station, said he was pleased that Gao had gone to jail. "I don't know how they ever thought they were going to get away with it."
Mr Barnett, who bought the land in 1958 and had the business for 40 years, said he felt sad every time he went past the property and saw it was vacant.
A Westpac spokesman had no comment. Abigail Hartevelt