The 30-year-old was arrested in Hong Kong in September but returned to New Zealand with police on Wednesday and appeared before Manukau District Court later that day.
Outside court on Wednesday Detective Sergeant Mark Loper said police did not know what Gao had been doing since he left New Zealand. Mr Loper said Gao had been co-operative on the flight back to New Zealand.
Gao and Hurring are accused of transferring almost $6.8m of Westpac's money into several accounts before fleeing the country. Almost $3.9m remains unrecovered.
The couple's disappearance sparked an international manhunt involving Interpol and other overseas agencies.
Hurring, 32, was arrested when she re-entered New Zealand earlier this year and is due to stand trial in February.
New Zealand police received notification in the first week of December that extradition approval had been granted for Gao by Hong Kong authorities.
New Zealand police understand that Gao did not contest the extradition.
Two detectives travelled to Hong Kong last weekend to complete the process and accompany the man back to New Zealand in police custody.
- APNZ