An Auckland bus driver has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of passenger, Peter Mark Te Kira in April

The 61-year-old died in Auckland hospital - after he fell and hit his head on the pavement, when Mikaele Ah Fook punched him.

It's claimed the driver and passenger had multiple previous arguments over fares - before the fatal encounter in Papatoetoe.

On that day, Ah Fook hit Te Kira after he reportedly told the driver he should return to his own country, having boarded the bus without paying.

The 34-year-old will be sentenced in February.