Patarika Apiata blamed pressure from gangs for forcing him to hatch an elaborate plan with others to rob a Whangarei tavern and later target Asian families in Auckland.
In Whangarei District Court this week the 22-year-old was sentenced to nine-and-a-half years in prison for his part in the crime spree that began with the stealing of a car from the Kensington Tavern on October 6, 2011.
Apiata had earlier pleaded guilty to three charges of aggravated robbery, four of kidnapping, and one each of theft of a motor vehicle and breaching community work.
His accomplice, Andrei Panapa, 32, was last month sentenced to eight years' imprisonment on three charges of aggravated robbery, one of theft of a motor vehicle, four of kidnapping and one of escaping from custody.
After stealing the Subaru motor vehicle, the two men, together with another accomplice, robbed the Onerahi Tavern of about $300 cash after threatening staff and patrons with two firearms and a metal bar. The stolen car was found burnt out in Wrack Rd, Parua Bay on October 8.