She was placed in her Land Rover when she was deceased and items from the house were placed over her, Vickers said. He did not say what the items were.
The scene examination would continue for some time, Vickers said.
The police's investigation is focusing on the evening of Friday, November 27 to November 28. The last confirmed sighting is her alive at home at 4.30pm on Friday.
"We have a team of detectives working on the investigation and we're making progress every day," Vickers said.
The phone call to police was made by a close associate of Elizabeth, Vickers said. Police were called to the address at about 10am on Saturday, November 28. Police located her in the boot of her Land Rover that day.
Asked what time she died, he said they were focusing their inquiries on the period from 4.30pm on Friday to about 10am on Saturday when the vehicle was found.
CCTV-based inquiries are taking place in the area of her home.
Elizabeth Zhong is believed to have been murdered. Photo / Supplied
Asked about sightings of an unknown male near Elizabeth's house, Vickers said: "I'm aware of that info. The investigation team is keeping an open mind, but it is early days and we need to prioritise ... it will form part of the investigation."
Questions remain over how business went so badly for Zhong in recent years.
The East Auckland grandmother took over post-production house Digipost and an associated $7 million property in 2017.
On Friday, a person familiar with the Digipost deal rejected claims there was a lack of due diligence when Zhong bought the company.
Instead, the person described detailed, drawn-out negotiations and said Zhong was sincere and ambitious about making movies.
But a source said Zhong's inability to make projects succeed in recent years was problematic and ultimately put the company in jeopardy.
Other enterprises Zhong was previously involved with included Kennedy Point Vineyard on Waiheke Island and Carrick Wines in Central Otago.
