An Opotiki man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter over a fight which turned fatal in the Eastern Bay township.

Tamaikoha Takao appeared at the High Court at Rotorua today, where he was scheduled to go on trial for murder.

However, before the trial could begin, he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of the manslaughter of 22-year-old Joe Collier.

Mr Collier died after a brawl at the back section of two neighbouring Opotiki houses last July.