KEY POINTS:
A soldier who was stabbed in an attack early this morning has been released from hospital and is back at the Lake Tekapo army training area, near Timaru.
The private was attacked by another soldier about 1am and received stab wounds to his face and body.
"They were more superficial wounds, but there were quite a number of them," Sergeant Mike Van Der Heyden told NZPA.
Mr Van Der Heyden said the offending soldier fled after the attack and an initial search failed to locate him.
"Around 8am we were made aware of a burglary at a property near the Waldes Station (south of the base). Some clothing and a sleeping bag were taken."
A cordon was put in place around the area and at 9.25am the man, a 17-year-old, emerged from a Mary Burn property onto State Highway 8 and was picked up by police.
A knife was recovered at the scene of the stabbing and the man was taken to Timaru Police Station to be interviewed.
Mr Van Der Heyden said it was not clear what had sparked the attack.
Neither person had been drinking at the time.
An army spokesperson said a decision was yet to be made on whether any charges would be handled by police or through military channels.
- NZPA
