Community helps elderly east Auckland man robbed while gardening

Police are investigating after a Chinese refugee was robbed of his life savings, while gardening in east Auckland.

The 85-year-old returned home to find his eftpos card and passport had been stolen last week. 

Mr Qing Zhai doesn't have much, but after being robbed just over a week ago, he now has next to nothing.

He tells us he was in the garden, but when he got back inside his money card, cash, and passport were gone.

"He's all by himself at his age. This is an old folk's home and village. Why would they want to burgle an old folks who are helpless and old," said his friend Poutama Tsoi.

The morning after the robbery Mr Qing Zhai discovered his card had been used.

His modest life savings - were gone.

"He lost about three thousand dollars, seven hundred in cash, and the rest was through his bank saving account," said Mr Tsoi.

Mr Qing Zhai fled China a decade ago. He was forced to leave because of his belief in Falun Gong - a spiritual practice.

His only relatives are three daughters in Australia - and an autistic son in China. The stolen money was being saved to visit them.

Mr Qing Zhai's bank has told him that his card was used at a west Auckland station around an hour after he discovered it went missing. It's now hoped security footage will help identify those responsible.

According to one group that looks out for older New Zealanders this sadly isn't a "one-off".

"The sad thing is it's nothing unusual and there are an awful lot of people that are going to prey on older people because they're a target," said Age Concern CEO Kevin Lamb.

As for Mr Qing Zhai - the community has now come to his aid with fundraising and even gardening vouchers.

He's thankful, but says New Zealand has given him enough.

He's just wants his belongings back.

"Least they can do is return all the documentation... the poor guy… he got no English, got no car...and go no money..." said Mr Tsoi.

Police are investigating, but in the meantime Mr Qing Zhai hopes the thieves will do the right thing.

Newshub.