Elizabeth Zhong homicide: Man pleads not guilty to murder

Elizabeth Zhong's body was found in the boot of her car. Photo / supplied

A man accused of killing Auckland businesswoman Elizabeth Zhong has pleaded not guilty to murder.

The accused man appeared before Justice Sally Fitzgerald at the High Court in Auckland this morning.

He listened intently and nodded as a Mandarin interpreter explained procedural matters to him.

His name suppression will continue until at least May 6, when a name suppression hearing will be held.

The court heard a six-week murder trial was expected to start on April 26, next year.

The murder-accused will be remanded in custody until the trial.

His appearance at the May 6 name suppression hearing and a May 19 case review was not required, defence counsel Scott McColgan told the court.

He previously appeared in Manukau District Court on February 12.

Zhong's body was found in the boot of her car near her Auckland home in late November last year in the East Auckland suburb of Sunnyhills.

Police and forensics scour Elizabeth Zhong's house in the East Auckland suburb of Sunnyhills. Photo / file