A Far North woman charged with the murder of a Kaitaia toddler will have name suppression until at least September 23.
The 34-year-old, who has not entered a plea, appeared in Kaitaia District Court today and was remanded in custody until November 12.
The woman, understood to be the child's mother, was initially charged with assault, but this was today raised to murder following a homicide investigation by Far North and Auckland police.
The two-year-old girl was taken to Kaitaia Hospital on August 8 with serious injuries.
She was then flown to Starship Hospital in Auckland where she died later that morning.
Seeking continued interim name suppression, Kaikohe-based lawyer Catherine Cull, appearing on instructions from the woman's Auckland lawyer Belinda Sellars, told Judge Harvey the defendant had met with a psychologist yesterday and their report was expected within a week.
There needed to be an investigation into whether post-natal depression was a factor and publication of the woman's name could affect her while Auckland counsel took instructions on the new charge, Ms Cull said.
Police did not oppose the request for suppression.
