Kiwi teen charged with one-punch death held in immigration detention centre

The attack happened outside the Coolangatta Hotel on the Gold Coast in the early hours of December 4 last year. Photo / Supplied

A New Zealand teenager accused of a fatal one-punch assault outside a Gold Coast pub after a Six60 gig has reportedly been taken to an immigration detention centre and had his visa cancelled.

Former Rotorua Boys High School student Tristan Mataora Heather, 18, was originally charged with grievous bodily harm after 40-year-old Trevor Duroux was left fighting for his life after the attack outside the Coolangatta Hotel in the early hours of December 4 last year.

However, Mr Duroux, from Moree in northern New South Wales, later died in hospital and Heather's charge was upgraded to unlawful striking causing death.

Heather, who had been working as a factory hand with his uncle at a Gold Coast glass company, was released on Supreme Court bail on April 1 to live with family on the Gold Coast.

But Channel Nine has reported that Heather was yesterday taken into immigration detention.

Police allege the teen was involved in a fight with a group of people at about 2.25am outside the hotel at the intersection of Warner St and Marine Parade.

The Courier-Mail has reported that Heather had been celebrating his 18th birthday with his aunt and uncle on December 1.

Heather has told the court that he intends to rely on the defence that he was coming to the aid of a workmate, the paper says.

Police claim he punched Mr Duroux "without hesitation" in an "almighty right hook".

Onlookers performed CPR at the scene after his heart stopped.

He was rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical condition with sustained fractures to his face and jaw. He died 10 days later.