Bay of Plenty Police have today arrested a 50-year-old Opotiki man in relation to the death of Brian Albert Hilton in July 2016.

The man has been charged with murder and will be appearing in Whakatane District Court on Wednesday.

Mr Hilton was admitted to Tauranga Hospital on 7 July 2016 with facial injuries, from what was believed at the time to be a fall in his home, says Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Standen.

He died six days later.

"Police recently received new information and as a result reopened the investigation into Mr Hilton's death.

"This has been an extremely difficult time for Mr Hilton's family and they continue to request privacy."

As the matter is now before the Court, no further comment can be made at this time, says police.