The Wellington District Court has heard an Australian diplomat's partner may have lost the option of diversion

The man's been in court today - facing an assault charge over a brawl in Wellington in September - after an All Blacks Bledisloe Cup win over Australia.
Diplomatic immunity had to be waived.

Herald reporter Melissa Nightingale has been in court.

She says the man's lawyer's said there's a question mark over diversion - which would allow him avoid conviction by going through certain programmes.

His lawyer told the court other branches of Police had been involved in the decision.