Police are continuing to investigate an alleged assault on a man in Andersons Bay on Monday evening.
A police national media centre spokeswoman in Wellington said the complainant's "story changed significantly'' and he did not appear injured at all when police arrived on Tuesday.
He was intoxicated and subsequently arrested for breaching his bail, she said. He would be spoken to again by police to ascertain details of what occurred and whether any charges would be laid.
Officers were called to the property about 3pm on Monday after a call to police, reportedly from a third party.
"The man was breathing but not responsive,'' another spokeswoman said.
"It does seem to be just two men involved.''