Cory Jefferies has been found guilty of the murder of his partner Kim Richmond.
The sentencing will be held at the High Court on September 7.
Jefferies is currently remanded in custody.
Kim Richmond's body was found in a ute pulled from Lake Arapuni in southern Waikato last year, 11 months after she disappeared.
Jefferies had admitted to manslaughter but denied murder.
Crown prosecutor Ross Douch told the jury last week there was clear murderous intent, while defence lawyer Thomas Sutcliffe said Cory Jefferies acted out of desperation.
Mr Douch argued the fabricated story Jefferies told police and his family in the months after her death proved a level of self-preservation to the highest extent.
Ms Richmond, 42, went missing after a night out watching the rugby in the small town of Arohena in July 2016.
Her body wasn't found until almost a year later, when cell phone data led police to Lake Arapuni.
Newshub.
