Former partner admits murdering woman

Amanda Dawn Taufale. Photo / supplied

The former partner of a woman who was killed in her Wellington home last year has pleaded guilty to her murder.

Ernest Smith, 39, today admitted in the High Court at Wellington to killing Amanda Taufale in November last year.

The 33-year-old mother of two was killed at her Tawa home and her body was found by her teenage son, Liam.

Her father Graham Redman said the guilty plea was a "huge relief'' for the whole family.

"This has finally put to rest our fears of attending a trial and re-living the tragic events of last November.''

He said the family was grateful for the support they had received from the police, Victim Support, friends and extended family.

"This has been a tragedy for all concerned but today's guilty plea will enable us to at last move forward with putting our lives back together, as much as we can. The family would now appreciate some privacy as we attempt to do so.''

Ms Taufale had a bachelor of applied science in psychology, and had worked with disabled men and women, disadvantaged youths and victims of domestic violence.

She had volunteered at Women's Refuge, and in the past two years taken up a job at Industrial Research where she worked as a science support coordinator.

Smith was remanded in custody and would be sentenced next month.