There were emotional scenes outside the Auckland High Court as the murder trial of Grace Millane came to an end.
David and Gillian Millane were in tears as David paid tribute to their daughter after the jury of seven women and five men found a 27-year-old man guilty of her murder.
"Grace was a beautiful, loving, talented daughter," he told reporters outside court. "Grace was our sunshine and she will be missed forever.
"She did not deserve to be murdered in such a barbaric way."
David said their daughter was taken away from them in the most "brutal fashion".
"This will be with us for the rest of our lives," he said.
"The verdict of murder - will be welcomed by every member of the Millane family.
"It will not reduce the pain and the suffering we have had to endure over the past year."
David made a special mention to the people of New Zealand.
"They've opened their hearts to Grace and our family," he said. "I cannot express our gratitude for all the offers and gifts and kindness we've received over the last year."
The man found guilty of her murder will be sentenced in February.
