'Life is cheap', says victim's father

Greg Mead in the Hamilton High Court for sentencing today after being found guilty of murdering his wife Helen Meads, inset. Photos / NZPA, Supplied

Life is cheap, says the father of slain Matamata woman Helen Meads.

David White was reacting to the 11-year non-parole period that Justice Christopher Allan, in the High Court in Hamilton, imposed on Gregory Meads today when sentencing him to life imprisonment for his wife's murder in September 2009.

The well-known horse breeder shot Mrs Meads in the throat four days after she announced plans to end their 12-year marriage.

During the trial, Meads told the court he confronted his wife with a loaded shotgun to uncover "the truth" behind their break-up but he never intended to harm her.

Outside the court, Mr White said he was not in a financial position to appeal the sentence - he had expected a non-parole period of 15 years at the very least.

"I would not have quibbled with that," he said.

He slated the $65,000 reparation Meads has been ordered to pay, spread across various family members - Mr White claimed that amount was laughable when Meads was "sitting on" $40 million.

He said he had established the figure when attempting to secure child support from Meads to assist the care of his young daughter Samantha.

As her grandparents, he and his wife have assumed responsibility for her upbringing.

Kimberley White, Mrs Meads' daughter from a previous relationship, said she felt better for having her say in court.

Ms White, 18, spoke through tears as she read her victim impact statement, turning frequently to address her mother's killer.

"I now live with constant nightmares about mum," she said.

"I wake up every morning thinking she is still alive.

"These nightmares are something an 18-year-old girl should never have to deal with."

As he had throughout his entire trial, Meads again showed no emotion as the victim impact statements were read.

Outside the court, Ms White said the longer her stepfather stayed in prison the longer he could reflect on what he had done. However, she feared he would continue to show no remorse.

The public gallery was full, largely with supporters of Helen Meads.

Sentencing Meads, Justice Allan said while Meads had snapped and lost self-control, the shooting was horrific.

Meads took a loaded shotgun to the stables where his wife was, had waited for her to end the phone call, then confronted her.

He had released the safety catch and she had been killed instantly by being shot in the throat.

"During those last few seconds of her life, she must have been terrified," Justice Allan said.