Sentencing the defendant, Judge Graham Hubble said the court took a dim view of dabbling in national treasures and holding them to ransom.
He said he gave the man a substantial discount for entering an early guilty plea, returning the medals and the ransom, and the fact that he had stood up in court today and apologised.
The defendant told the court he did not mean to target anyone individually.
"I apologise to all servicemen past and present who served for this country.
"I did it for my own personal gain and I sincerely apologise for everything I've done," he said.
Several victim impact statements were presented to the court, and Colonel Raymond Seymour spoke about the effects on him personally, as director of the Waiouru Army Museum.
"In my mind this is a crime that shocked the nation, who were so angry that anyone could have the audacity to commit this heinous crime.
"This crime has tore the heart out of every New Zealander," he said.
"The effect of this crime on me and my staff was traumatic. Sleep failed me."
He said he spent a week of his Christmas break scouring the sides of State Highway One in the hope that the medals had been discarded.
He said he had tears in his eyes when the medals were eventually returned to the museum the following October.
Judge Hubble said the five year prison sentence for 50 other fraud and burglary charges should be served cumulatively with the six year term for the medal theft.
A minimum non-parole period of seven years would apply.
The man is currently serving a term of two years, three months' imprisonment, due to expire in December.
Another man charged over the war medals theft is due in court next week.
- NZPA
