Naya Ropiu Fabian Wharekura, 29, was sentenced to a non-parole period of 13 years, three months when he appeared before the High Court at Invercargill yesterday.
In November, a jury found him guilty of murdering 25-year-old Chad Terrance Parekura and attempting to murder Austin Jazz McGregor.
The double stabbing occurred outside Tillermans Nightclub after a "drug deal gone wrong" on April 23, 2022.
It was captured on CCTV footage, but Wharekura claimed he did not mean to kill the two men.
Heidi-Paige Hunwick had been with Mr Parekura since they were 14 and they later had a son together.
After Wharekura’s sentencing yesterday, she told the Otago Daily Times she felt justice had been done — but she would never have closure.
"I’m kind of relieved that it’s finally over because it was like a long process and it’s emotionally draining, but at the same time I’m sad that it’s over," she said.
"I feel a little bit lost now that it’s over because since he’s passed ... we’ve still been fighting for his justice [and] now it’s just done."
"Nothing could ever bring me or my son closure."
Yesterday, Justice Paul Radich said he did not believe Wharekura was truly remorseful for his crimes as he continued to claim he was acting in self-defence.
The judge highlighted both victims were unarmed at the time, while Wharekura used a boning knife in a "quick and decisive" manner.
"The single stab with which you killed Mr Parekura was forceful and deliberate," Justice Radich said.
While the defendant said he wanted to use his time in prison to better himself, he had racked up 11 misconducts including for possessing homebrew, cannabis oil and razor blades.
Ms Hunwick was "shocked" that Wharekura’s high-profile breach of electronically monitored bail was not discussed at sentencing.
In 2023, the defendant fled his bail address, sparking a police manhunt and public appeals for information on his whereabouts.
He was on the run for more than a fortnight before handing himself in to Hamilton police.
"That definitely shows that he has zero remorse," Ms Hunwick said. "It was traumatising. I hadn’t heard from any police officers or anyone."
She was also unaware that the defendant was on parole for an earlier aggravated robbery at the time of the murder, but said it was "not surprising".
The court process had been long and emotionally draining for Ms Hunwick.
"It’s just kind of been like a big blur."
In a statement read in court, Ms Hunwick said she realised the only way to move on was to "let go of the bitterness and resentment".
Wharekura’s lawyer Sonia Vidal said her client felt for the victims’ families and the offending would stay with him for the rest of his life.
The court heard Wharekura moved to Australia as a teenager, and when he came back was involved with drugs and crime.
He had an unstable upbringing where drug use and violence was normalised and later joined the Black Power gang because it gave him a "sense of belonging and support".
Justice Radich reduced Wharekura’s sentence to reflect his upbringing and addiction.
