An Oamaru man who caused a fatal five-car smash, was a learner driver and had smoked cannabis before getting behind the wheel.

Warrick Delaney Taylor appeared in the Dunedin District Court and pleaded guilty to five counts of careless driving causing injury and one of careless driving causing death.

Stuart Windle, of Kaikoura, died at the scene of the crash north of Dunedin while he was heading south to take part in the Hurricane Rodders Mid Winter Run in the city.