A 15-year-old who stabbed a Dunedin schoolboy to death continues to argue he should avoid a conviction for the crime

The teenager was convicted of manslaughter over the death of 16-year-old Enere McLaren-Taana, who died of a single stab wound on Great King Street in May 2024.

The Otago Daily Times reports he's appeared before the Court of Appeal, where his counsel said his three year and three month prison sentence is too harsh.

They say the defendant's age and past trauma caused him to act impulsively because he felt McLaren-Taana was a threat.

The panel of judges has reserved their decision.