A Napier woman has been charged with manslaughter five years after the death of Bruce Mouat.
She appeared in the Hastings District Court last week charged with causing the death of Mr Mouat, who was thought to have fallen down steps at his Hawera home on July, 16, 2011.
The 48-year-old Taranaki mountaineer died in Wellington Hospital 11 days later.
Coroner Tim Scott had initially found no evidence which proved there was foul play involved in his death.
Mr Scott released his report in February 2012, which said he had died from a blunt force head injury after an incident at his home after a night of heavy drinking.
"Police investigated Mr Mouat's death at the time on the basis that it may have been a homicide," Mr Scott said in February 2012.
The Napier woman has been granted bail and interim name suppression. She is due to appear in the High Court at New Plymouth next month.