A 26-year-old Ngaruwahia man who admitted to the aggravated robbery of two French tourists last year was sentenced in Tauranga District Court today.

Bo-Tamati Rawiri was sentenced to two years' jail by Judge Peter Rollo for his role in the attack on two tourists behind an abandoned petrol station in Papamoa on July 7.

Bo-Tamati Rawiri at Tauranga District Court today.

Police allege Rawiri and co-accused 24-year-old Che Bridger from Mount Maunganui driving past two tourists hitchhiking from Tauranga to Rotorua when they stopped to offer them a ride.

The pair of 21-year-olds from France were driven to behind the abandoned Shell station on State Highway 2 near Welcome Bay Road and robbed of their backpacks, passports, airline tickets, cash and cards.

The court heard how Rawiri received the backpacks from the back of the car.

In sentencing Judge Rollo stated that perhaps Rawiri had not initiated the two men would rob the tourists, but Rawiri assisted with his presence at the scene.

A letter was submitted before the court outlining Rawiri's regret for his actions and the impact this incident has on New Zealand as a tourist destination, which Judge Rollo took into account.

'The real shame about this whole incident is that you didn't have the forethought at the time.

'The victims suffered some minor injuries as well as the loss of their airline tickets and cell phones and no doubt their dignity.”

Rawiri was sentenced to two years' imprisonment and ordered to pay $1500 for emotional harm - $750 to each of the two victims.

Co-accused Che Bridger, is due back in court on February 4 on two aggravated robbery charges in relation to the attack. He pleaded not guilty to the charges at a court appearance in November 2012.

Rawiri and Bridger have both been in voluntary custody since they were arrested following the attack.