A dairy farmhand accused of murdering a drinking companion has been committed to the High Court for trial.
Rota John Kohi Ranapia, 30, is charged with murdering Stephen Patrick Rundlett at a farmhouse in Tauraroa, 24km southwest of Whangarei, on September 8 this year.
At the end of a two-day deposition hearing yesterday, Justices of the Peace Fay Colthurst and Roger Alchin ruled there was enough evidence to commit Ranapia to trial.
Ranapia will appear in the High Court in Whangarei on February 12 next year for a callover.
During the hearing, Tauraroa farm manager Patrick Clotworthy said Ranapia turned up at his home about 12.30am on September 8, saying he had killed someone and wanted to go to the police.
Mr Clotworthy said he told Ranapia to go home as he had to work in the morning.
But after noticing blood on Ranapia's clothing, he decided to speak to Ranapia's cousin Nigel Paora, who was sitting in a car.
He said Ranapia looked distressed, was shaking, tearful and hard to understand.
Mr Clotworthy said he drove to the fight scene, about one kilometre away, with Ranapia.
On the way, he came across Ranapia's partner and teenage daughter, who joined them.
At the farmhouse, Mr Clotworthy saw Mr Rundlett ``drowned in his blood' with multiple facial injuries.
He said Mr Rundlett's breathing was very shallow.
In his evidence, Mr Paora said he had been drinking with Mr Rundlett and Ranapia.
After consuming more than 25 bottles, he went to sleep in a car parked in the garage.
Mr Paora said when he woke up and returned to the lounge, he saw Mr Rundlett lying on the floor with "a bit of blood" on him.
Ranapia's partner was yelling and screaming.
Mr Paora said he ran from the house and through a paddock, not knowing where he was going, after Ranapia swore and punched him.
Questioned by defence lawyer Arthur Fairley, Mr Paora said he did not see any weapons or hear his cousin say he wanted to kill anyone.
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