The man at the centre of a police pursuit that led to an innocent man being shot dead has been jailed for at least eight years.
Stephen Hohepa McDonald, 50, admitted 23 charges in connection with a car chase across Auckland in January that ended soon after police accidentally shot dead teenage courier Halatau Naitoko, 17.
Mr Naitoko died from a police bullet to his chest after being caught in crossfire as McDonald tried to hijack a truck.
McDonald, who admitted charges including firing at police, possessing a firearm, aggravated robbery, and unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle, was sentenced to 13 years' jail, with a minimum non-parole period of eight years.
Crown prosecutor Aaron Perkins said in sentencing that the officer who fired the shot had been devastated by Mr Naitoko's death.
McDonald's lawyer Roger Chambers said his client's distress was palpable when he was told Mr Naitoko had died and he pleaded guilty as soon as he knew what charges he faced.
Justice Rodney Harrison said there were several aggravating factors to the offending and that McDonald's actions had a profound impact on many lives.
Police decided not to lay charges against the officer who fired the fatal shot, and Justice Harrison said he agreed police were not to blame for Mr Naitoko's death.
"I have no doubt you are the person who is responsible for his death."
None of Mr Naitoko's family was present due to a death in the family.
