The Maketu man who shot another man in the chest with a .12 gauge shotgun has been found guilty of manslaughter by a high court jury.

Tyrone Daniel Flavell, 20, has been on trial in the Tauranga High Court this week facing a murder charge in relation to the death of Isaac Dale Bushell on December 8, 2013.

Police at Beach Road where Isaac Dale Bushell was found dead with a bullet wound last December.

After beginning the trial on Monday, the jury retired at midday today to deliberate their verdict.

Returning shortly after 1pm a guilty verdict of manslaughter and not murder was announced in front of a crowded public gallery and a tearful Flavell.

Flavell was facing the murder charge after 46-year-old Bushell's body was found in a park by two people off Maketu Beach Road last December. He had suffered a fatal wound to his chest.

Flavell was arrested after police stopped him and four other people leaving the area shortly after the body was discovered. A firearm was recovered at a Maketu property.

Police say the pair were known to each other and had previously been at the same party in the beachside town.

During the trial the jury heard how Flavell was fearful of the Mongrel Mob and had a wish of 'wanting it to all end”.

In an interview he told police he grabbed a shotgun from his back seat and a bullet from the glove box of his truck after a man approached him and threatened his life.

He admitted to loading a .12 gauge shotgun, pointing it at Bushell and pulling the trigger.

He said Bushell was of solid build and he feared for his life.

Flavell is remanded in custody for sentencing on December 19 in Tauranga High Court at 10am.

This is the first High Court trial to be held in the city.