Mike Bush reflects on challenging inquiry into kidnapping of five-year-old Xin Xin Ma in Auckland

A massive inquiry run by Victoria Police’s new Chief Commissioner saved the life of a five-year-old girl who had been snatched by a real estate agent.

Mike Bush spent three-quarters of his career as a detective, pursuing organised crime in Asia and running some high-profile criminal investigations at home in New Zealand.

The case which stayed with him most was the 2008 Auckland kidnapping of five-year-old Xin Xin Ma, snatched by a real estate agent named Dequiong Deng who kept her bound and gagged in a house while demanding a $500,000 ransom from her family.

She spent four days in a small walk-in robe where Deng gave her bread and water and a bucket for a toilet.

It was a frightening crime which prompted a massive and deeply challenging police inquiry run by Mr Bush and most likely saved the life of Xin Xin.

“It was probably one of the most emotionally impactful investigations that I’ve led,” Victoria’s new Chief Commissioner told the Herald Sun last week.

Mike Bush has spoken of the impact of investigating the kidnapping of five-year-old Xin Xin Ma. Picture: Jason Edwards

“It’s the focus on victims that really engages me in policing. That’s who we’re here for.”

Mr Bush grew up on the North Island’s Bay of Plenty and Wellington, a man of the Ngai Te Rangi.

He had a Catholic school upbringing, preferring sport to study before moving into policing at age 17.

“I really wanted to do something that was interesting and did some good which, I think, is common to just about everyone who joins the police,” Mr Bush said.

“I did 42 years and it was the best decision I ever made.”.

It was a career which took him to the top of New Zealand Police.

He was at the helm when 51 people were shot dead in the Christchurch mosques massacre of 2019 and the White Island volcano eruption which claimed six lives in the same year.

Mr Bush was the first New Zealander in Phuket, Thailand, after the Boxing Day tsunami of 2004.

After that diverse career, he’s now in charge of Victoria Police and enjoying life in Melbourne.

“It’s a very dynamic place. I love living here. But the real attraction is the people and I’ve often been told that Melbourne people are different because they’re really nice, really hospitable and that’s absolutely true.”

Mr Bush is a family man with one daughter who has just finished with New Zealand Police to head for Europe.

He is proud of his Maori heritage, is a lifelong rugby fan and played the game from age five to 50.

“My body is paying the price for that but I’m passionate about that game. I did a lot of other sports as well. A lot of marathoning, swimming, cycling,” Mr Bush said.

The new Melburnian has decided to follow Richmond in the AFL.

“AFL rules, I’m still getting my head around. The game is really growing on me,” Mr Bush said.

Originally published as Mike Bush reflects on challenging inquiry into kidnapping of five-year-old Xin Xin Ma in Auckland