The 19-year-old was found guilty in July at the High Court in Palmerston North.
Two victim impact statements were read out to the court before Gilling was sentenced.
Stanley Waipouri's sister Joan said the family was devastated and shocked for some time after her brother was murdered.
She says having to sit through two trials was particularly difficult and says they can now finally try to put their lives back together.
Stanley's ex partner Phil Penwarden told the court he feels the accused went to Stanley's house in the night he was killed with evil intent to seriously harm or kill the man because he was gay.
Gilling received a minimum non parole period of 15 years.
