A man has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum non-parole period of 14 years, for the murder of a Kapiti Coast man.
Ainsley Brent Anderson, 51, pleaded guilty in September to the murder of Raymond Piper.
Mr Piper, 23, left his home with Anderson on the morning of 15 May.
The court heard that Anderson drove Mr Piper to an unknown location and assaulted him while he was sitting in the front passenger seat of the car.
Mr Piper was stabbed in the chest and died.
In the High Court in Wellington, the prosecutor said Anderson had been paid $3500 to harm Mr Piper.
Justice McKenzie says that was a primary factor in the sentencing.
Family and friends of the victim sobbed throughout the sentencing.
In a statement read to the court, Anderson said he never meant to cause serious harm.
Justice McKenzie said Anderson deserved a discount in his sentence because of his guilty plea and the help he gave to the police in finding Mr Piper's body.
It will be 14 years before Anderson is eligible for parole.
