However, it was then on-sold to another Chinese company before arriving in North Korea in December, 2015.

Earlier this year, prosecutors told the Manukau District Court that Pacific Aerospace knew the plane had been moved to the reclusive country at the time requests came through for replacement parts.

They said this was because Pacific Aerospace had not only been told their plane was in North Korea, but also through tracking data.

There are strict UN sanctions banning a wide range of exports and services to North Korea in response to its nuclear weapons.

While acknowledging the seriousness of the offence, Pacific Aerospace's lawyer, Emmeline Rushbrook, said there was no proof the plane had been used for military purposes and that the parts were only worth a few thousand dollars.