A man accused of murdering a former Christchurch gang member admitted part of the attack to police

Motu Smith is accused of inflicting severe head injuries on Daniel Hawkins, and stabbing him, in his Sydenham unit in 2021.

It's alleged he took off in in Hawkins' car, leaving him to die.

The Crown says it was part of a violent offending spree -- but Smith claims he was acting in self-defence.

A police interview containing his admissions will be played later in the trial, expected to take three weeks.