The five year old Christchurch boy taken to hospital with severe injuries has died this morning.

Canterbury police are now conducting a homicide investigation, after the boy was rushed to hospital in a critical condition three days ago.

They're still trying to determine how he sustained serious injuries, and will keep interviewing those he came into contact with.

Victim support are working with the immediate family who are said to be extremely upset.

A post-mortem will be carried out today, and the scene examination of the Papanui home will continue over the weekend.