Luke Smith died after an assault in October. Photo: Supplied
A man charged with manslaughter over a fatal assault on Wellington's Courtenay Place last month has pleaded guilty.
Luke Smith was assaulted on the entertainment strip in the early hours of Sunday 6 October.
He died after his life support was removed.
Siale Siale admitted the charge of manslaughter in the High Court in Wellington Friday morning.
He willl be sentenced on 20 February.
In her summary of facts, Justice Grau said Siale - who has trained as a boxer - had been drinking since Saturday evening and was sitting on a bench seat outside Reading Cinema on Courtenay Place when Smith and a friend walked by in the early hours of Sunday morning.
She said Smith, who was visiting from South Africa, stopped to talk to some women sitting near Siale and an altercation ensued, ending "tragically".
Siale "King hit" the 21-year-old who fell, hitting his head, she said.
Justice Grau granted Siale bail until his sentencing next year.
She said his large, close-knit family - who were present in court - were helping him "come to terms with the enormity of taking a life" and said the 29-year-old was making significant rehabilitative efforts in an attempt to make what amends he could.
She said he was also willing to engage in restorative justice.
Justice Grau also acknowledged supporters of the Smith whanau who were in court and thanked Luke Smith's father, Brian Smith, who was present from South Africa via an audio-visual link.
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