Kathy (Ye Yu) Xiong

Kathy (Ye Yu) Xiong has been an integral part of Gilligan Sheppard since 2006. She is fluent in English and Mandarin.

Kathy Xiong is a qualified Chartered Accountant (CA) of New Zealand. She has more than 25 years of accounting and finance experience, both in New Zealand as an accountant and previously in China as a share broker in the China Construction Bank. This has given her a sound understanding of commercial business environment, which she has been able to utilise to her varied clients in New Zealand.

As a CA, Kathy has professional knowledge enabling her to readily service her clients. She provides financial advice to clients that range from multinational organisations to small independent businesses and individuals.

With her vast experience, Kathy has a deep understanding of both New Zealand and Chinese culture, their environment as well as their legislation, and is willing to be the bridge between China and New Zealand for her clients, and assist clients with proper tax planning and accounting requirements.

Kathy was born and grew up in China until the age of 27, when she moved to Auckland with her husband.

Away from the office she enjoys travelling, reading, working out at the gym, but most of all, spending time with family and friends. Her favourite place is Chengdu China, which is famed for being the home of cute giant pandas. For her, Chengdu will always be in her heart because she lived there for 10 years, from 17 to 27 years old. She loves everything in Chengdu, the food, people, and life style. One of her dreams is to live in Chengdu when she retires.

Her favourite food is Shichuan spicy hotpot, which is a Chinese version of fondue – a simmering communal pot in the centre of the table filled with spicy broth, served with all kinds of raw food items beside the pot to be added over the course of the meal, such as sliced meats, mushrooms, eggs, and other vegetables.

Per an online test she just completed, her biggest fear revolves around losing a sense of personal freedom. Deep down, she is terrified of feeling helpless, powerless, and incapable of exercising free will.