A Christchurch man's been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of David Bridgwater, with a minimum non-parole period of almost 12 years

James Arthur Holder shot Bridgwater outside an Aranui property, just hours after a music festival, and left him to die in the street last January.

A jury rejected Holder's claim of self-defence in October.

Open Justice reports Holder's partner, Leanne Maree Crighton has also been jailed for 16 months - for attempting to hide evidence linking him to the murder.

Bridgwater's mother, Carole, say their family's been ripped apart.