UPDATED 1.29PM: The teenager found guilty of killing a west Auckland shopkeeper has been sentenced to six years behind bars.

A minimum non-parole period of three years, three months has been imposed.

The 14-year-old who stabbed Arun Kumar in the neck at his dairy was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter.

In sentencing, Justice Lang said the lives of Mr Kumar's family members will never be the same and the killing had left many small business owners scared to do their jobs.

Justice Lang took the boy's age and a previous brain injury into account at sentencing but said the boy was still at risk of similar re-offending.

A decision to lift the boy's name suppression has been appealed, meaning he still cannot be named.

Defence lawyer Maria Pecotic said the boy understands the devastating impact of his actions, but doesn't understand the sentencing.

"He didn't hear or understand a lot of what was happening in court so he does need some time to think about it carefully," Pecotic said.

Mr Kumar's family said his death has been in vain and they don't want to support injustice by attending the sentencing.

They say their confidence and faith in the court system has been shattered, with the offenders being portrayed as victims and their father becoming insignificant.