Auckland, Oct 28 NZPA - A prominent entertainer, who has name suppression, has admitted performing an indecent act towards a teenage girl but is seeking a discharge without conviction.

The entertainer appeared in Auckland District Court today for sentencing, but after hearing submissions Judge Eddie Paul said he would deliver sentence on November 6, when he would also decide whether name suppression should be lifted.

Police opposed a discharge without conviction, while various media organisations argued against permanent name suppression.

The defendant has pleaded guilty to one count of performing an indecent act with intent to insult.

Defence lawyer Ron Mansfield told the court that a conviction would have an effect on the entertainer and his career that would be disproportionate to the gravity of the offending.

So too would revealing the man's identity.

The charge arose from an incident earlier this year after the entertainer left a Wellington venue about 3.30am.

Defence lawyer Ron Mansfield said the defendant was recognised by three young females, who approached him in the street and asked if they could kiss him.

"There was some discussion," he said.

"There was some crude propositioning."

The man and two of the females went to an alley.

The third female followed later and that was when that the indecent act occurred.

Mr Mansfield said the defendant, who was intoxicated at the time, had misread the situation when he moved the head of one of the girls down to his genitals.

The man had no inkling that what had happened had caused offence and believed it had been consensual.

He was contacted some time later by police.

Mr Mansfield said the man had no previous convictions and what he did was entirely out of character.

He made an early guilty plea, was genuinely remorseful, had written a letter of apology to the complainant and was prepared to pay reparations of $5000.

He had also offered to enter the restorative justice process, but that wasn't sought by the other party.