A woman accused of killing a man by assaulting him with a mallet will defend the charfges.
Lance John Bain, 43, died more than two weeks after the alleged assault in the west Auckland suburb of Ranui on November 17.
He didn't immediately seek medical help and is understood to have developed blood poisoning as a result of his injuries.
Police allege Natalie Ann Reader Van Breugel - also known as Natalie Ann Reader - hit him "numerous times'' with a mallet.
The 45-year-old pleaded not guilty to charges of manslaughter and injuring with intent to injure this morning.