Man dies nine days after fight with brother

A man seriously injured in a fight with his brother in Nelson nine days ago has died.

The 31-year-old was taken to hospital in Nelson with head injuries after the incident in the suburb of Atawhai on January 16 and later transferred to Wellington Hospital.

Nelson police confirmed today he died in the intensive care unit yesterday at 11.45am.

The man's 33-year-old brother was initially charged with assault but the charge was upgraded to wounding with intent to injure.

Detective Senior Sergeant Wayne McCoy said today the death meant a homicide investigation was under way and the charge was again likely to be upgraded.

The man, who was granted name suppression on compassionate grounds when he initially appeared in Nelson District Court, was due to re-appear on February 9.

- NZPA