Judge Hollister-Jones said the victim, his partner and children were home at the time.
"There were young children sleeping in the living room.
"The victim and his partner found this a terrifying experience."
Matini's lawyer Harry Edward said his client was told the victim had been selling drugs to his nephews and disputed the Crown's submission the crime was pre-meditated.
Mr Edward said his client worked full time and was considered an honest and hard working man. He asked for a "healthy sentence of home detention" to be considered.
However Judge Hollister-Jones jailed Matini for three years.
Judge Hollister-Jones said aggravating features included the threat of violence in front of sleeping children as well as active violence.
He said Matini believed he was acting against the "impact of drugs on your family", which was not a mitigating factor.