Aaliyah died two days later at Starship Hospital. A consultant paediatrician at the hospital told last week's trial the girl had severe internal abdominal damage, extensive bruising to the face, trunk, buttock and limbs, a recently broken arm, and injuries to her ears and eyes. Her body carried 33 separate external bruises and cuts.
Curran admitted shaking her to stop her crying, but denied striking her and said he did not intend to hurt her.
After the verdict, it was revealed Curran had a list of more than 20 convictions, dating back to when as a 15-year-old, he was jailed for two years for indecent assault on a girl aged under 12.
Curran was acquitted of raping a woman in the toilet block of Tauranga's Memorial Park in 2002.
However, he was later found guilty of two charges of perverting the course of justice after attempting to get a family member and a friend to give him a false alibi.
Outside court Aaliyah's father Brad Morrissey reacted to the sentence.
"I think the judge did reflect on the brutality that this coward did and of course she was only a little girl," he told Radio New Zealand.
"I think he sent a message out to the public that this is not on and I think he gave him the harshest deterrent possible that he could, under the legislation."
The toddler's mother Hoana spoke of her relief the court process was over after a long and difficult journey.
"It took us two years before we finally got to trial and it was sort of like `oh yay, this should be the last'," she said.
Ms Hayden's parents were also at the sentencing.
- NZPA
