Blumsky's bloody mishap remains a mystery

Police say it may never be known how the National Party's Wellington Central candidate, Mark Blumsky, came to be lying bloodied with facial injuries in a stairwell to his apartment.

Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Perry said yesterday that Mr Blumsky might have been assaulted or pushed or might have fallen.

Mr Blumsky, a former high-profile Wellington City mayor, has denied being intoxicated when he was found injured in the early hours of July 23. He has no memory of how he was injured.

He admits he had been drinking at a Wellington bar until about 1.30am but says witnesses have told him he was fine when they saw him walking to his apartment.

However, one woman told television she and her friends found Mr Blumsky leaning on a wall in the city and helped him home.

She has been interviewed by police, as have Mr Blumsky's drinking companion, bar staff and people who spoke to him.

Mr Blumsky suffered facial injuries in the incident, and it is understood the doormen who found him at 5am initially feared he had been stabbed.

Mr Blumsky has said he has previously questioned people who should not be on the stairwell.

His wife was asleep in the couple's apartment on the fourth floor of the building.

Mr Perry said the stairwell was shared by a bar, Mr Blumsky's apartment and other businesses.

"Security footage from the bar does not cover the stairwell and it was unable to help us. We are unable to take the matter any further."

Mr Blumsky is overseas.

He is expected to provide a tough challenge for the sitting Wellington Central MP, Labour's Marian Hobbs, in the September 17 election.

National Party president Judy Kirk has said she accepts Mr Blumsky's account of the evening.