An inquiry into an attack on a Feilding woman who died on Tuesday has been upgraded to a homicide investigation.
Police say Karen Makoare, 49, was taken from her home to hospital last Thursday with critical injuries and died in Palmerston North Hospital surrounded by family.
Police say the homicide investigation involves nine detectives.
They have spoken to a number of Ms Kakoare's associates, including those who interacted with her in the days leading up to her being admitted to hospital, and their focus is a head injury she received.
A post-mortem was carried out on Wednesday.
