Eric McIsaac is expected to be sentenced to life in jail today for murdering his younger half-brother Alex Fisher.
McIsaac is due to appear in the High Court at Palmerston North this morning.
The 26-year-old admitted murdering Alex, 10, at Waitarere Beach on October 5 or 6 last year.
Murder carries a mandatory life sentence with a minimum non-parole term.
Alex Fisher's body was found at the beach on October 8 after his disappearance sparked a huge three-day search.
During the search, police released CCTV footage showing Alex and McIsaac together in a local store on October 5.
McIsaac was arrested and appeared in court on October 7, initially charged with possessing a knife in a public place.