One of four men charged over the death of a man found buried in a shallow grave near Tongariro in March has pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact to murder.
Bao Chang Wang - also known as Ricky Wang - was last seen in 2017.
His remains were found off Rangipo Intake Road in March - after the police received information that led them to have serious concerns about his safety.
Four men have been charged with murder or being an accessory after the fact to murder.
One of the men - who has continued name suppression - appeared in the High Court at Auckland this morning where he entered a guilty plea to being an accessory after the fact to murder.
He was convicted and remanded in custody for sentencing next month.
Two other men accused of murdering Wang have pleaded not guilty to the charge and are due to go on trial next year.
A fourth man charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder has also pleaded not guilty.