The trial's begun for a 14-year-old accused of murder - who says he stabbed another teen who told him to pull his socks down, at Dunedin's bus hub

16-year-old Enere McLaren-Taana died on Great King Street last May.

The accused, who was 13 at the time, has pleaded not guilty to murder - saying he acted in self defence.

Crown Prosecutor Richard Smith says the older boy made a derogatory remark as he walked past - and told the accused to pull down his socks.

Smith says the accused swung a kitchen knife in the air, before stabbing the victim in the abdomen.

The trial is set down for three weeks.