Beau-James Wells left the junior ranks behind with the best possible result on Tuesday.
Wells, the third of three freeskiing brothers in the talented Wanaka family, defended his world junior halfpipe title in Italy.
It was the final appearance in the world junior championships for Beau-James Wells, who turns 20 in November.
''I'm very happy,'' said Wells, who also won a silver medal in slopestyle at the weekend.
''It's a good way to finish.''
The snow rolled in just in time for the event at Valmalenco, slowing competitors' speed and making for tougher-than-expected conditions.
However, with a strong practice session under his belt and memories of his 2014 world championship win still fresh in his mind, Wells immediately stamped his mark on the course.
His first run proved to be the gold medal-winning effort, and his score of 90.80 could not be touched by any of his fellow competitors.
Jake Mageau (United States) scored an 82.80, also on his first run of the day, to claim the silver medal, and Birk Irving (US) finished third.
Two other New Zealanders competed in the 12-man final. Finn Bilous (Wanaka) finished seventh and Miguel Porteous (Christchurch) 12th.
Strong performances at the world junior freeskiing and snowboarding events ensured New Zealand secured the maximum number of quota spots - one for each discipline (slopestyle and halfpipe) in both freeskiing and snowboarding - for next year's Youth Olympic Winter Games.
