A member of a prominent Dunedin family has appeared in court on serious drug charges.

The 36-year-old female appeared before Judge Kevin Phillips in the Dunedin District Court on Tuesday morning.

She pleaded not guilty on two charges of administering morphine to a person on April 21, 2016.

The court heard the man later died.

On one of those charges she was jointly charged with her partner, a 56-year-old man, who did not appear.

The name of the deceased was suppressed following an application from his family, which is also well known in the city.

The accused woman's name suppression bid was supported by her father, via her lawyer.

Judge Phillips granted her interim name suppression until her next court appearance.

The charges have a maximum penalty of 14-years' imprisonment.