An appeal is under way by a man found guilty of murdering his pregnant girlfriend

Jayson Wiremu Poihipi was imprisoned for life in 2019 after murdering his partner Lynace Parakuka.

The Wellington court of appeal heard from Poihipi via video link today.

He says he had 18 cans of bourbon and coke, and a handful of magic mushrooms, before the attack ? details not put to the jury at the trial.

But the judges say they need more proof for the mushrooms to be a proper ground of appeal.