The whanau of murdered service station attendant Rodney Tahu is praising the justice system for finally bringing his killer to account.
Menzies Hallett, 72, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for killing Mr Tahu in Turangi in 1979.
Rodney Tahu. Photo: TAHU FAMILY
In her impact statement in the High Court at Rotorua on Friday, Mr Tahu's sister Linda Rarere said that more than three decades later, her whanau still can't get over losing their brother to such a callous and brutal slaying.
She described her brother as being the "rock" in her whanau, a gentleman and a kind big brother who looked after his siblings.
She said they were still reeling from the repercussions and emotional turmoil to the extent that - even though time passed - there was still a deep sadness of what their lives could have been like if they still had their brother around.
Ms Rarere said they were so proud to have him around for his short life and he would always be loved and never forgotten.
Justice Duffy told Hallett that he will not be eligible for release until he has served 10 years.
