The 35-year-old appeared in the Manukau District Court this morning.
He was due to stand trial this week on charges of importing methamphetamine and possessing methamphetamine for supply.
But he has now entered a guilty plea through his lawyer Vivienne Feyen to a representative importation charge.
Feyen told the court Vatuvei accepted responsibility for his offending.
Vatuvei has been remanded on bail ahead of his sentencing in December.
The Crown has indicated it will withdraw the remaining charges at sentencing.
