A court has heard how a Chinese tourist was tired and failed to adhere to New Zealand road rules when he caused a crash which killed a young girl.

32-year-old Jing Cao plead guilty to six dangerous driving charges, including causing the death of five-year-old Ruby Marris near Moeraki in February.

The court heard how on the day of the accident Cao was driving from Christchurch to Queenstown.

In the moments prior to the crash Cao was driving in the wrong lane, because he drives on the right hand side of the road in China.

Judge Kevin Philips has asked for a home detention index to be written prior to sentencing in June, but warned Cao he could be facing a term of prison.