A 20-year-old man has been charged with murdering his cousin in the community of Manutuke, near Gisborne.
The body of Waylin Ngarangione, 19, was found on Sunday and a post-mortem found he had died of a serious head injury.
Detective Sergeant Craig Scott says police believe the injury was inflicted last Wednesday night during a gathering at Mr Ngarangione's home.
He says Mr Ngarangione was taken to hospital by ambulance on Wednesday and discharged the next day.
The accused will appear in Gisborne District Court on Tuesday afternoon.
