Paul Richards (34) pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Mark Smith when he appeared in the Invercargill District Court yesterday.
Mr Smith was found unconscious at a taxi stand in Camp St, Queenstown, about 11.30pm on November 19 and could not be revived.
The 47-year-old was a roof installer, then a job co-ordinator at Calder Stewart Roofing for nearly 16 years before working at Smith Crane & Construction Ltd from 2007 until mid-2009.
He was a manager at Laser Plumbing Queenstown at the time of his death.
Commenting on the admission of manslaughter, Calder Stewart co-ordinator John Mitchell, who had known Mr Smith for 16 years, said it would hopefully put an end to things a bit quicker than going to trial."
Mr Mitchell said he was dumbstruck after the death.
The brawl which claimed Mr Smith's life was "out of character" and there had never been any problems before.
UK-born Richards was originally charged with assault but, a week after the incident, the charge was upgraded to manslaughter.
Prosecutor Sergeant Rob Mills, in the summary of facts presented at court yesterday, said Richards was heavily intoxicated when he got into an altercation with Mr Smith at a Queenstown taxi stand.
Richards had been drinking for more than six hours when he left a bar and went to buy takeaway food.
He came across Mr Smith, who was also drunk, waiting for a taxi.
When two vehicles arrived at the stand, Mr Smith approached both drivers in an attempt to negotiate a fare to Frankton.
Richards approached the victim and an argument developed between the pair.
Witnesses said Richards, the aggressor, punched Mr Smith and they began pushing each other, the scuffle spilling on to the road.
Richards then clenched his fist and, in a "round-house" fashion struck Mr Smith on the left side of his neck, resulting in a whiplash-type movement.
The victim fell on to the road and, although emergency services were quickly on the scene, he never regained consciousness and died where he lay.
Judge John Macdonald remanded Richards on bail, ordering pre-sentence and reparation reports, for sentencing in the High Court on February 8.
Richards is listed as relationship manager for the Queenstown branch of insurance broker Crombie Lockwood (NZ) Ltd on the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce's website.
Crombie Lockwood declined to comment.
Richards, who could not be contacted, was a member of Wakatipu Wanderers rugby team.
Head coach Grant Murphy said Richards had played with the team for three or four years.
He did not believe Richards intended to kill Mr Smith.
"It's really tragic for both sides, for both the deceased and also for Paul. It's a really unfortunate thing that could happen to anybody."
Mr Murphy said Richards was a good rugby player.
"He was always enthusiastic and a really good team man," he said.
Mr Mitchell, too, said he did not believe Mr Richards had set out to kill Mr Smith.
"We've spoken about it here and 99% of the time people get a thick ear and everyone wakes up in the morning, and this is the 1%.
"It's just one of those freak incidents.
It shouldn't have happened, but it did."
Smith Crane and Construction's Queenstown manager Gerry Coughlin said the incident was a tragedy for both parties.
"Now two lives are ruined. Alcohol has probably got a lot to blame for the situation."
Laser Plumbing Queenstown owner Wayne Thompson said the manslaughter admission meant closure for the family plus for him and his staff.
"I think [Richards has] done the right thing.
"It's up to the judge now."
Mr Thompson said Mr Smith was held in high regard at the company.
Mr Smith would never willingly become involved in a fight, as he had one artificial eye and a pin in his eye socket, he said.
"He was one of those guys who got on with the job, happy-go-lucky. He loved his job and was good at it."