Taranaki police say two men involved in a fatal fight at a house in Opunake knew each other.
Police have launched a homicide investigation.
They were called to a house on Wednesday morning after reports of two men fighting.
A 25-year-old was taken to Taranaki Base Hospital in a critical condition and he has now died.
A post-mortem examination will be carried out tomorrow.
Police say they are receiving help from the public to build a timeline of events.