Burglars have robbed an 85-year-old pensioner of his life savings - and his passport - while he was gardening.
Lu Qing Zhai, originally from Liaoning, China, lives on superannuation, and supplements his income by growing and selling Chinese vegetables.
He came to New Zealand as a refugee and has been saving for a trip to visit his two daughters in Australia and an autistic son in China.
But Lu's world came crashing down when opportunistic thieves entered his home on October 31 while he was tending to his vegetable garden.
They took his wallet, containing about $700 cash, mobile phone, passport and ASB bank Eftpos card.
About $3000 has since been withdrawn from his account and his bank card was also used to pay for $50 worth of fuel at a petrol station.
"It's all the money I have and I took a long time to save it, so I feel really crushed," said Lu, who lives alone at a unit in St Johns.
"I've been saving to visit my children and grandchildren for Chinese New Year. They are the only family I have."
Police confirmed that a complaint relating to this incident was received on November 2 at the Glen Innes police public counter. Police are also advising people to "always lock up", even if they're in the back garden.
Lu Qing Zhai was saving to visit his daughters in Australia for Chinese New Year. Photo / Greg Bowker
Lu, who used to depend on food parcels, said he was living on borrowed money for food and daily expenses.
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