The family of a 2-year-old boy who died after being assaulted in his Hastings home have described him as a "happy, smiley, adventurous boy".
Matiu Wereta, of Flaxmere, died last night in the intensive care unit at Hawke's Bay Hospital.
A 17-year-old Rotorua youth has been charged with assaulting a child.
Matiu's family paid tribute to him in a statement this evening.
"Matiu was a happy, smiley, adventurous boy who loved being active and getting involved in a lot of activities. He loved kapa haka, which his family has been involved in for some time.