The man charged with assaulting a Hastings woman last month has been charged with her murder.
The Napier courthouse. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Ranapera Taumata, 26, is now facing two assault charges and one charge of murder.
Taylor-Jade Hira, who was 22, died in Wellington Hospital last month, following the assault at a Huia Street house in the suburb of Camberley on 15 August.
The accused was arrested in South Auckland a week after Ms Hira's death.
He appeared in the High Court in Napier this morning via video link from prison, and has been remanded in custody until a case review hearing on 20 November.
Emergency services were later called to the vacant Huia Street.
A trial date of 3 August 2020 has been set.
Police and fire investigators were called to the vacant Huia Street house in late August after the property was set alight.
