An Australian "toy boy" has been accused of murdering his former New Zealand girlfriend, who was recovering from breast cancer, in a small northern New South Wales town.

Adam John Kennedy, 24, has been charged with murdering Debara Martin, 43, after her body was found at his house in Bowraville, about 100km north of the coastal town of Port Macquarie on Friday last week.

Police alleged she had suffered serious head injuries.

Ms Martin had split up with Kennedy about eight weeks before, her friend, Eve Whakatutu, told the Dominion Post.

Before the break-up, Ms Martin, a chef, had described the accused as her "toy boy", Miss Whakatutu said.

She had moved to Australia two years ago and had recently had a breast removed because of cancer.

Kennedy appeared in the Port Macquarie Local Court this week facing a murder charge and other drug and firearms charges.