An Opotiki man charged with killing 22-year-old Joe Collier has pleaded guilty to his manslaughter.
Tamaikoha Ruameke Takao appeared in the High Court at Rotorua yesterday, where he was scheduled to go on trial for murder.
However before the trial could begin, he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.
On July 13 last year, police were called to Goring St in Opotiki, where a number of people were fighting.
A few minutes later, an ambulance picked up the critically injured Mr Collier, who had collapsed in nearby King St. He was taken to Whakatane Hospital but died a short time later from a stab wound to the chest. It is believed the fight erupted as a result of gang tensions between Black Power and the Mongrel Mob.