Man charged with murder after Stoke death

Nelson police have charged a man with murder after a fatal attack in Stoke earlier this month.

James Whitikau Barton died in hospital after being found with critical injuries in Orchard Street on the evening of 10 November.

A week later a white BMW linked to the incident was recovered by police.

The 33-year-old accused was due to appear in court on Friday.

Police thanked the public for their help with the investigation.

"The information we received was valuable in piecing together what happened on the night Whitikau died and enabled us to come to this result," Detective Inspector Lex Bruning said.

Earlier this month, Bruning said the 48-year-old victim and the accused were believed to be known to each other