Cissy Chen's partner denied bail

The Auckland man accused of murdering his partner Cissy Chen has today been refused bail.

In the High Court at Auckland, Yun Qing "Jack" Liu, 57, applied for a release from custody before Justice Mark Woolford. The Crown opposed his application.

Liu wasn't present in court and was represented by lawyer Mark Wotherspoon.

Liu has pleaded not-guilty to murdering Ms Chen and is scheduled to stand trial in October.

The Bail Act forbids the reporting of discussion at bail applications. Under the same legislation, it was up to Liu, because he is charged with murder, to prove he must be granted bail.

Ms Chen, 44, was last seen alive on November 5, 2012, after leaving the accountancy firm she worked at and driving home.

Police found her body in late March after a contractor mowing the lawns at Totaravale Reserve found a ribcage and skull in a drain.

Most of the rest of Ms Chen's remains were found nearby and Liu was arrested and charged with the murder in early April.

Watching from the court's public gallery today were two of Liu's employers and his niece.