Justice Simon Moore dismissed his application on Wednesday to vacate guilty pleas on three charges of manufacturing meth after Harding argued he had extracted only ephedrine in the first two manufacturing instances and that he pleaded guilty to the manufacturing charges by reason of a mistake of law.
Flanked by about 25 family and friends, including his mother, Harding waved to them as he was led away after the sentencing.
Justice Moore said Harding claimed he hated meth but had no qualms about supplying the drug to others.
"It is concerning such is your lack of insight that you told the probation officer that you didn't think being part of the gang impacted on your actions.
"But even more concerning is your total lack of remorse for what you have done despite your comment that you hate meth. You insist you did nothing wrong and even more startling you're recorded as saying you'd do it all again.
"That is a breathtaking statement which unsurprisingly led the probation officer to conclude your risk of reoffending is high and your risk of harm to others is also high.
"You are not and have never been addicted. You've never been a user of the drug. This means the only reason you embarked on this exercise was to accumulate wealth.
A forensic psychiatrist who interviewed Harding said he fulfilled the criteria of an anti social, narcissistic personality and alcohol abuse disorders.
Crown solicitor Mike Smith said police were to be congratulated for the extent, care, and quality of their investigation that uncovered quantities of meth manufacturing which were "unprecedented" in the country's history.
He submitted a sentence of life in jail was the most appropriate outcome.
Defence lawyer Mark Edgar argued against a sentence of life imprisonment, saying Harding was a cog in a "much bigger wheel" that was run from Auckland.
Justice Moore said Harding's lack of previous drug-related offending and his guilty pleas made a sentence of life imprisonment inappropriate but by a fine margin.
Harding has 43 previous convictions, mostly for driving offences.
Justice Moore said Harding was the unchallenged leader who was referred to by others involved in the drug manufacturing as the "boss".
Detective Sergeant Andy Dunhill said the sentence would no doubt be a significant blow to the criminal fraternity.