Stairwell focus in Blumsky probe

Wellington police say they are investigating how Mark Blumsky, the National Party candidate for Wellington Central and former Wellington mayor, was found injured outside his central city Cuba St home early on Saturday morning.

"We're unsure at this stage how Mr Blumsky was hurt, but clearly he's received some nasty facial injuries," Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Perry, of Wellington CIB, said yesterday.

"It's early in our inquiries but it seems that whatever happened took place in the stairwell leading to his home as opposed to on the street."

Mr Perry expected that it would take another few days before inquiries were completed.

"It's unlikely that security footage from a neighbouring bar will help the inquiry, although officers are still scanning for any relevant details," he said.

Mr Blumsky said he was discovered by a doorman from the bar about 5am, suffering a black eye, cuts to his face, a broken tooth and a four-hour memory gap.

He is adamant that he was assaulted after a night out but has no recollection of the attack.

The last thing he remembers was drinking with his friend, television and radio presenter Grant Walker, who says he left Mr Blumsky on Courtenay Place, 10 minutes away from his home, about 1.30am.

Mr Blumsky has said he was not intoxicated.

National leader Don Brash said the attack was "extremely regrettable'.

"There are clearly varying reports about how much he'd had to drink, some people saying they did not see him as inebriated. One eyewitness suggesting that he was. I can't comment on that, I don't know."

Dr Brash said it was not sensible for political candidates to be wandering round drunk, "but then I don't see for a moment that he necessarily was".

- NZPA and staff reporter