Jason Tuitama, 24, was sentenced in the Wellington High Court on Friday. He received discounts for several factors, including entering a guilty plea.
He pleaded guilty in March to manslaughter and three other charges.
Judge Andru Isac said during sentencing that Tuitama had slowed down for a speed camera and a police checkpoint, but not for pedestrians.
Coupled with a history of driving suspensions, he said this indicated a pattern of behaviour.
His victim, Casidhe Maguire, was survived by her family and two-year-old son.
Tuitama also pleaded guilty to reckless driving causing injury, failing to stop after an accident and driving with more than 400 milligrams of alcohol.
Tuitama recorded a breath test of 993 micrograms, almost four times the legal limit.
Maguire died at Wellington Regional Hospital in July last year after being taken to intensive care.
A statement from the Ministry of Health described her as a “very special person” and a valued team member with many close friends.
In the 28-year-old's obituary, her whanau thanked staff at Wellington's intensive care unit.