Malcolm Rewa has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Susan Burdett.
The sentence is to be served concurrently with his other sentences for rape.
In February, in his third trial for the murder, Rewa was found guilty of the murder after having previously been convicted of raping Burdett in 1998.
- Malcolm Rewa found guilty of the murder of Susan Burdett
- Malcolm Rewa to appeal Susan Burdett murder conviction, claiming 'jury bias'
- Rewa's 'hallmark' style of sexual assault points to his guilt - Crown
Detective Superintendent Dave Lynch said he hoped the sentencing would provide some closure to Burdett's family.
"We acknowledge and appreciate this has been a difficult time for her family and we also wish to once again thank all the witnesses who gave evidence in court.
"I also want to acknowledge again the Crown and Police investigative team for their hard work and dedication over the past two years on this case."
After the sentence was handed down and as Rewa walked off, people in the public gallery began clapping.
Burdett's body was discovered in her Papatoetoe home in 1992.
Two previous juries had failed to decide if Rewa was guilty of the murder.
Following Rewa's murder conviction, Burdett's brother, Jim Burdett, told Newshub it was a relief that the case had finally come to a close.
"The right person is in the right place for the right reason," he said.
He explained that it was a relief to know his sister's "character won't be dragged through the courts again."
"Given the history of the case I wasn't expecting anything from this verdict."
Teina Pora was wrongly jailed in 1994 for Burdett's murder, but after two decades in prison, his conviction was quashed and he was awarded $3.5 million in compensation.
Newshub.
