Quinton Winders at today's sentencing. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER
The family of convicted killer Quinton Winders have vowed to fight to free an "innocent man" who they believe was framed by police.
The 46-year-old was sentenced by Justice Kit Toogood in the High Court at Rotorua today to life in prison with a non-parole period of 17 years. Winders was found guilty in September of the murder of 65-year-old George Taiaroa, shot dead while operating a stop-go sign at roadworks in Atiamuri in 2013.
Winders' lawyer Jonathan Temm tonight told Rotorua's Daily Post he had been instructed to appeal both the conviction and sentence, though that appeal had not yet been lodged.
Outside court after the sentencing the Winders family spoke publicly for the first time.
Winders' sister Miranda Dallow, flanked by her parents who live just outside Rotorua, said there was no closure for either family.
"George Taiaroa didn't deserve what happened to him and we appreciate the [Taiaroa family] needs closure," she said.
"However, we are saddened by the lack of professionalism of New Zealand police and the way they handled this case based off circumstantial evidence and incriminating and framing an innocent man who has never met George Taiaroa and could not even identify George prior to this case.
"Quinton Winders is an innocent man and sadly with great regret this is not closure for either family at this time.
"We as a family will continue to fight for my brother's freedom and this miscarriage of justice that has occurred. We hope justice will prevail."
Earlier, in court, Crown Solicitor Amanda Gordon read the victim impact statement of Mr Taiaroa's son, Chad.
"I miss him more than words can express, especially on special days like Father's Day, Christmas and family birthdays.
"Any man can be a father but it takes someone special to be a dad. He was my dad and I just miss him so much."
Mr Taiaroa's daughter Rochai spoke of hearing of her father's death.
"There are moments in time that change your life. For me 19 March, 2013 was such a moment."
Ms Taiaroa went on to explain how hard it was dealing with her family's grief while the case received so much media attention.
"I want to describe who my father was as a man, not just as a Maori or a road worker," she said.
"He was a typical Kiwi bloke who loved fishing, rugby, beer...
"He was very generous, maybe to a fault."
She said her father was a social butterfly and was so proud of them all.
"As life gets bigger we miss him even more, he was the glue that held the family together.
"Losing dad shattered the family and now we're trying to put the pieces back together. But we can't put it back together because dad is the anchor piece that is missing."
Through tears Ms Taiaroa said it was not only the big moments with her father that she missed.
"I'm terrified I will start to forget, already the memories are starting to fade, the way he smells, the way his moustache tickled your face. The way he felt when he hugged you, like you were in the safest place in the world."
She finished by saying she knew her dad was not a perfect man, "but to me, he was perfect".
"I'm not asking for justice, the only justice I want is to have my dad back. All I'm asking for is time, I want the time taken from us to be taken from the defendant."
Justice Toogood said the identity of the killer was the single issue of the trial.
"[Winders] denied and continues to deny [he] was the offender. But the jury found you guilty and I agree."
He said although the rifle that killed Mr Taiaroa had never been found, he had "no doubt" it was the one registered in Winders' name.
"Mr Taiaroa was not the only victim in your crime, it has also affected a much wider group of people. I acknowledged the two families who have been devastated, tragically and irrevocably, by what you did," he said.
"It is clear George Taiaroa was a generous, compassionate and caring man who loved his wife, his children and his mokopuna deeply."
Justice Toogood described Mr Taiaroa's murder as a "cold-blooded, calculated execution".
In closing, he offered some advice to Winders.
"It is not unusual for offenders to deny their offending, even in the face of overwhelming evidence. You may find it difficult, however, to persuade the parole board that you are no longer a risk to the community if you do not admit your guilt, develop an understanding of the appalling way in which you acted, and change the attitude and views which have brought your life to its lowest point."
In a written statement, Detective Superintendent Tim Anderson, who led the investigation into Mr Taiaroa's death, thanked the investigation team, the expert witnesses and all those who helped with the "complex inquiry".
"I would also like to again acknowledge and thank the family of George Taiaroa who have conducted themselves with great dignity throughout the investigation and court process."