Police are investigating the death of a three-year-old Taupo boy.
The boy was admitted to Taupo Hospital with critical injuries at approximately 3pm yesterday.
Police said preparations were underway to transfer him to Starship Hospital but he died last night before that could happen.
A post mortem examination will take place today and an address in Taupo had been contained for a scene examination.
Police said a number of people, both adults and children, had been at the address in recent days but it was understood that the parents of the child were not present at the property.
Detective Senior Sergeant Lew Warner said it was early in the investigation and he was not prepared to speculate on how the boy died.
"We have a number of people we need to speak to and the investigation will also rely heavily on information and advice from medical experts; so it may be some days before we are in a position to make more informed comment."
Police are not commenting on the nature of the child's injuries.
Other children from the address are in the care of Child, Youth and Family pending the outcome of the investigation, police said.
It is the second investigation into the death of a pre-schooler in a week.
On Friday, Maggie Renee Watson, 4, was found dead at a house in Onehunga, Auckland.
Listen to the latest from RNZ Hamilton Reporter Andrew McRae