A Rotorua teenager has admitted punching a Sydney television reporter during an interview.



Tristan Barker, 18, pleaded guilty in Rotorua District Court today to assaulting Today Tonight reporter David Eccleston in Rotorua in February.



Barker, who was accompanied in court by his parents, was remanded on bail for sentencing in June.



Barker must complete a restorative justice meeting with Eccleston before sentencing, said Community Magistrate Lesley Jensen.



Eccleston was not present in court.



Neither Barker nor his parents wanted to comment on the guilty plea today.



Barker's bail conditions forbid him meeting with Eccleston before sentencing other than during the restorative justice process.



Australian police want to talk to Barker, who has been referred to as a cyber troll, for comments he has made about family members and friends of suicide victims on social media in the past 12 months.