A 25-year-old woman has been charged with assault.
Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon

A homicide investigation is underway after an eight-year-old boy died following an assault.

A 25-year-old woman has been charged with assault, police announced on Saturday, who do not rule out charges against other people at this stage.

They were called to Whakatane Hospital at 5.30pm on Friday after the boy died.

The accused was remanded in custody and is due to reappear in the Whakatane District Court on Wednesday.

“A scene inspection will take place today at an address in Te Teko,” police said in a statement.

They urged anyone with information to call 105, contact them online or call Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 and quote reference number 241115/2140.

“Any additional information will be proactively released as it becomes available.”

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