Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
The partner of an Australian diplomat taken into custody in Wellington following a post-rugby game brawl has pled guilty to assault.
The altercation occurred after the All Blacks beat the Wallabies in their Bledisloe cup match in the capital last September.
The man, who was aged 37 at the time, yelled a homophobic slur at police officers before insisting he had diplomatic immunity, and was filmed by a member of the public.
Diplomatic staff and their families are granted immunity from arrest or prosecution, and cannot be detained or subpoenaed as a witness, with the intent of keeping them safe in countries where justice systems might have a history of unfair trials, or use the death penalty.
The Australian authorities later waived that immunity and in October 2024, he was charged with assault,
He pled guilty in the Wellington District Court on Thursday, but has interim name suppression until sentencing, which is scheduled for 3 April.
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