'Pamper party' killer Anna Browne jailed for life

A woman found guilty of murdering another woman at a west Auckland 'pamper party' has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum non parole period of 12 years behind bars.

Carly Stewart died from uncontrollable blood loss after Anna Browne, 37, plunged a large butcher's knife into the side of her head in October last year. The wound was around 11 centimetres deep, and the knife severed a main vein.

The court heard how Browne became volatile and aggressive at the party after several hours of drinking.

Justice Wylie told the court things went downhill when Browne had a heated exchange with one partygoer inside a bedroom, and Ms Stewart intervened.

"This escalated in further confrontation outside the bedroom, and Stewart accused you of acting inappropriately."

The pair argued and began grabbing each other by the clothing.

"You had to be separated. Stewart said something to the effect of being the bigger person and walked away. You remained in the hallway and then walked into the kitchen."

The court heard that's when Browne grabbed the butcher's knife.

"You then walked into the lounge with your hands behind your back holding the knife. You walked towards Stewart and stabbed her in the side of the head using a downwards swinging motion."

This played out in front of some of Ms Stewart's friends and family. Four children were also in the room during the attack.

"You then backed away with knife behind your back, and left it in kitchen sink. You grabbed your bag and ran up the road."

While speaking to police, Browne said she couldn't remember what happened and claimed she had consumed drugs.

Justice Wylie told the court the evidence didn't support that.

Emotional victim impact statements were read to the court. Ms Stewart's mother Charlene says her family's life has changed forever.

"Nothing has prepared us for this. We struggle to understand why this has happened."

She said her daughter was a devoted mother to two sons, who are struggling to come to terms with her death.

"Our once secure and happy boys now sleep with weapons by their beds in case someone does something to them like what happened to their mother.

"Shame on you Anna Browne, how dare you murder our beautiful Carly."

Ms Stewart's father Reginald also spoke about when he heard his daughter had been killed.

"I was at home enjoying drinks when I was told Carly had been murdered. I didn't believe it. Hearing family cry over the phone was so hard... I was lost for words."

Mr Stewart said he was hospitalised after his daughter's death.

"Emotions came and went in floods... Carly's burial was the longest five days of my life."

Browne wiped away tears in the dock as her victim's family read their statements to the court.

The sentence was handed down in front of a full public gallery.

Newshub.