An Australian diplomat's partner has escaped conviction, over a late night assault charge in Wellington, after last year's Bledisloe Cup

New Zealand Police needed a waiver of his diplomatic immunity from Australia's Government, before he could be charged.

In court today, he escaped having a criminal record and was granted permanent name suppression, having earlier pleaded guilty to common assault.

Footage of the incident shows the man yelling a homophobic slur, and saying he had diplomatic immunity - in the early hours in Wellington's CBD.