A family is distraught at not knowing how a Wellington man sustained fatal head injuries

James Whenuaroa was found hurt at a social housing block in June 2017, before dying a week later in hospital.

The 53-year-old was in and out of homelessness for much of his life and was an alcoholic.

The coroner can't determine how he sustained the injuries, saying they were either accidentally self-inflicted or the result of an assault.

His daughter Tamara Awhina Whenuaroa says it's on her mind everyday and it's affecting her whole family.