It created the "perfect storm" for Watene, who had "lost the plot" in circumstances "quite easy to understand", with Watene feeling some responsibility to look after his partner, the judge had said.
Watene had grabbed the bat in a bag and the pair went in search of the man, finding him at a picnic table near the service station, where Watene clubbed him heavily once in the face, smashing his nose and causing other critical injuries.
Judge Rea said the man was in a life-threatening condition and in a coma for several days afterwards, and had to have reconstructive surgery, but had since died for reasons unrelated to the assault.
Both Watene and Taipiha had taken part in restorative justice processes with the man's family who accepted the remorse and apologies, saying the man had blamed himself, that he had been "silly" and the incident would never have happened had he not tried to get into the woman's car.