'He is fighting for everything with a smile on his face'

Kade Phillips with his mother Theresa Smart. Photo / Supplied

Injured schoolboy Kade Phillips has suffered a setback in hospital and will need further surgery.

The 10-year-old almost died after being struck in the head with an electric fence post at Sacred Heart School in Invercargill on September 18.

His condition has improved over the past few weeks but Kade's mother Theresa Smart, pictured with Kade, told the Herald on Sunday her son had been moved back to Auckland's Starship Hospital's high dependency unit after suffering fluid retention and high temperatures this week.

"His spinal fluid is not draining," Smart said. "He may need a shunt put in which is another surgery. He just had surgery to put a drain in so fluid doesn't pool in his head."

Kade suffered serious brain injuries when he was struck by the post while playing with a friend.

A large part of his skull is still to be replaced and he has limited feeling and movement down his right side.

The spikes in temperature were worrying for the family who thought their son was on the mend. Doctors were hoping the spikes did not mean a brain infection.

Before the setback on Thursday, the family was looking forward to a transfer to the Wilson Centre in Takapuna for rehabilitation.

Smart felt Kade was well enough for her to fly to Invercargill to visit her other children. "I got here and got the news in the same day," Smart said. "He has his dad with him so he is fine but I just wanted to hop right back on the plane."

Smart said her son was in high spirits and determined to recover.

"He is fighting for everything with a huge smile on his face," Smart said. "He is a hard-case kid and he hasn't lost his sense of humour. He is determined to get better."

Smart and Kade's father Daniel Phillips had been overwhelmed by the level of support throughout the country, especially in their home town. A Givealittle page had raised more than $8000 and the Southland community was also fundraising.

"If we didn't have donations and community support it would be hard," Smart said. "Things like getting his brothers and little sister up to visit would be impossible without help."

Kade's older brothers Kayson and Braedon Timu and little sister Anya Phillips were able to visit their brother during the school holidays.

"That helped keep his spirits up. There has been a lot of positivity around him," Smart said.

Doctors could not give a long-term prognosis for Kade but Smart said the family remains positive.

"That's all we can do," she said. "He is a fighter, that is for sure."

Police investigated the incident but decided not to take any action.