The man charged with the murder and rape of Blessie Gotingco has reinstated his defence team.

The man, who has name suppression, sacked his lawyer Chris Wilkinson-Smith last month at the beginning of the trial at the High Court at Auckland.

Today the court was told that he had applied to Legal Aid to have Mr Wilkinson-Smith reinstated.

That application was approved and the jury was informed of the development before proceedings continued today.

Up until now Mr Wilkinson-Smith was acting as Amicus curiae or friend of the court - someone who is not party to the case but can offer information relating to it that can assist the court.

The defence will today call one witness.