In an angry state after work drinks Morgan Brown returned home taking that anger out on his partner in front of their five young children.
Appearing before Judge Barbara Morris in Masterton District Court on Monday the 29-year-old pleaded guilty to male assaults female and threatening behaviour.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Garry Wilson said about 10pm on December 19 Brown arrived home heavily intoxicated after work drinks that evening.
Brown got into an argument with his partner after knocking over their 2-year-old, Mr Wilson said.
"He spat all over his partner and then punched her twice in the side and back of the head."
Brown then dragged the woman into the kitchen from the lounge, ripping her clothing in the process, he said.
He then threw a toy at her, missing and smashing a kitchen window.
All the children, aged 8, 6, 4, and 2-years-old, and the youngest, 6-months-old, witnessed the assault on their mother with one stating she was going to call police, causing Brown to leave, Mr Wilson said.
He was found in a paddock nearby and declined to comment on why he had assaulted his partner.
Lawyer Jock Blathwayt said his client was intoxicated at the time and "behaved badly".
Judge Morris told Brown he needed to address his behaviour and control his drinking as it would have a serious impact on his children witnessing the violence.
"You need to understand the impact.
"It's quite clear that children who witness an event like this, they will not become the people they could be," she said.
"This has a huge impact on them.
"There are steps you need to take so you don't destroy your children."
She remanded Brown for a pre-sentence report and sentencing on January 29.