KEY POINTS:
A man charged with assaulting his seven-year-old stepson, who later died, is now facing a charge of murder.
Johnny Pukerua Ioakimo Joachim, 37, appeared in Nelson District Court this morning on the charge and was remanded in custody to Hillmorton Hospital in Christchurch for a mental health assesment.
He did not plead to the charge of murdering Duwayne Toetu Taote Pailegutu at the family's Nelson home on July 2.
Duwayne's mother, who spent time in a women's refuge after her son's death, has been charged with failing to provide the necessaries of life, is on bail and will appear in the court on August 15.
Duwayne was found unresponsive when emergency services were called to his home on July 2, and efforts to resuscitate him failed.
The stepfather, originally from the Cook Islands, previously had name suppression, but this lapsed when he appeared in court this morning.
The family moved from South Auckland to Nelson late last year, and authorities say there was nothing to indicate the boy was in any danger.
