Guy Nicholas Wilson, 38, was found guilty of the murder of Jason Noe Kai Chong Boon in southeast Auckland on November 18, 2006.
He stood trial last year with Paul Junior Grace, 26, and Annette Louise Elaine Heta, 30, who were convicted of manslaughter.
Wilson was also sentenced to preventive detention for a minimum period of five years for a second charge of assault with intent to rob.
Justice Helen Winkelmann said that Boon was left fighting for his life in his own home and she was satisfied that Wilson was the ringleader in the attack.
In March this year, Grace was jailed for nine years and Heta was jailed for 8-1/2 years. Grace was given a minimum non-parole period of four years and Heta was given no minimum non-parole sentence.
Both had pleaded not guilty to murder at the start of their trial. They were also convicted of assault with intent to rob.
The trio broke into Mr Boon's home in Botany Downs in search of drugs and property. Mr Boon was tied up, gagged and beaten.
He died from asphyxiation due to the duct tape placed over his mouth.
His girlfriend Janny-Lee Broussow was at home when the intruders broke in.
She grabbed her three-year-old daughter and locked herself in the bathroom upstairs, from where she called police on her mobile phone.
Ms Broussow's mother was in court today but refused to comment after the sentencing.
