A resentful and bitter man who murdered his ex-wife as she cradled their toddler during the brutal but calculated attack has been jailed for life.
Rotorua farm worker Ephraim Joseph Beazley, 33, last month admitted to murdering his ex-wife Xi Wang at her Flat Bush home.
Wang, 34, was holding the estranged couple's 2-year-old son in her arms when Beazley stabbed her to death on December 10.
He appeared in the High Court at Auckland today and was jailed for life by Justice Simon Moore.
In the public gallery was Wang's mother and best friend who had travelled from China for the hearing.
Wang's parents said in a statement their only hope was for their grandson to be raised as "a person his mother, our daughter would like him to be - an honest and loving person".
Beazley, whom Justice Moore said showed "little to no remorse", must serve 17 years of that sentence before he is eligible for parole.
Beazley left his home on a Rotorua farm and drove to Manukau on December 10 last year, notified of Wang's location after he logged on to her iPad.
He took with him a weapon - a recently sharpened Norwegian hunting knife.
Beazley arrived at his ex-wife's home just before 10pm and parked outside.
He walked up to the house, shrouded in darkness, and knocked on the door several times.
Wang opened the door, holding her young son in her arms.
Beazley was wearing a cap which was pulled down over his face and had his head bowed, which he believed would make it difficult for his former partner to identify him.
"[Beazley] attacked the victim without speaking, striking at her throat with his hunting knife," the police summary reads.
"We speak no English and have no relatives in New Zealand, but they made us feel so welcome, they have shown their great love and care to our family, which I have never experienced such love elsewhere."
After Beazley first appeared in the High Court in January one of Wang's friends also spoke out, paying tribute to the slain mum.
She said Wang was born and raised in China and was travelling and studying around the world when she journeyed to New Zealand.
Here, she met Beazley and decided to make her home in Aotearoa.
She never could have imagined that the man she loved would end up taking her life.
"Her life was her child, she did absolutely everything - made every decision - for him," said Wang's friend.
"He absolutely adored her and he still asks for her."
Acting Detective Inspector Shaun Vickers, of Counties Manukau CIB, said the case was a tragic reminder of the devastating impact family harm has on whanau.
"A young boy has lost his mother and his father will be spending some time in prison," he said.
"I would like to extend our sympathies to Xi's family who have lost a much-loved daughter. It is something that no parent should have to go through."
DO YOU NEED HELP?
If you're in danger now: • Phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours of friends to ring for you. • Run outside and head for where there are other people. • Scream for help so that your neighbours can hear you. • Take the children with you. • Don't stop to get anything else. • If you are being abused, remember it's not your fault. Violence is never okay
Where to go for help or more information: • Shine, free national helpline 9am- 11pm every day - 0508 744 633 www.2shine.org.nz • Women's Refuge: Free national crisis line operates 24/7 - 0800 refuge or 0800 733 843 www.womensrefuge.org.nz • Shakti: Providing specialist cultural services for African, Asian and middle eastern women and their children. Crisis line 24/7 0800 742 584 • It's Not Ok: Information line 0800 456 450 www.areyouok.org.nz