An Anglican priest has pleaded guilty to sexual offending against a woman.

John Tovey has appeared in the Napier District Court, charged with two counts of indecent assault and one of unlawful sexual connection.

He has admitted the indecent assault charges while the other was withdrawn.

The offending took place in Napier between April last year and January.

The 64-year-old was previously a vicar in North Canterbury and Wellington.

He moved to Hawke's Bay in 2010 where he became associate priest at All Saints parish in Taradale until late 2011.

He will be sentenced in September.