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A man who drove a former Auckland jeweller to Nelson Hospital, only for him to be judged dead on arrival, has been charged with supplying him with the drug methadone.
Michael Norman Ronald O'Neill, 37, was found dead in the back seat of the car driven by the 29-year-old man who has been charged.
Police said the pair were associates.
Mr O'Neill had been living in Nelson for the past few months after moving from Auckland, where he dealt in high-quality jewellery.
His father, in Tauranga, and mother and other relatives in Britain had been told of his death.
Police were called to Nelson Hospital's emergency department after Mr O'Neill was checked and found dead about 6.06am on Sunday.
They said the circumstances of the death made it suspicious and warranted further investigation.
The man who drove Mr O'Neill was initially charged with breaching bail conditions.
Yesterday, he appeared in the Nelson District Court to face a charge of supplying Mr O'Neill with methadone.
The class-B drug is commonly used in the treatment and rehabilitation of people addicted to other serious drugs.
The accused, whose court appearance was brief, was remanded in custody until he reappears in court next Monday.
Detective Sergeant Kevin Tiernan of Nelson said a post-mortem examination would be carried out on Mr O'Neill's body today.
Police were awaiting toxicology reports to find out if any other drugs or substances were in his system.
Mr Tiernan said further charges against the 29-year-old accused could not be ruled out.
