He made his way to the same viewing area and fell asleep on the bench next to Matenga, leaving his luggage on a trolley beside him as he dozed.
Just after 7am Matenga awoke and walked away with Mr Antoine's backpack, which contained personal items worth $950.
"When spoken to the defendant was in possession of a number of the items from the bag and he admitted the offence," the summary says.
Matenga told police he went to the airport because he thought his ex-partner was arriving there and he wanted to greet her. He said he stole the bag because he had the "opportunity" to do so.
In the Manukau District Court last month Matenga, who has a lengthy criminal history dating back to the late 1970s, admitted a charge of theft.
He was convicted and sentenced to 200 hours' community work.
