Two very different accounts have been given about a man who was attacked in Piopio overnight.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter service says a man was attacked after he confronted a group of hunters on his land - and provided a photograph of the helicopter at the property.
Staff say he was flown to Waikato Hospital with chest and face injuries.
A hospital spokeswoman said a 45-year-old was brought in overnight with face and chest injuries that match a description by helicopter staff.
She could not say whether he was brought in by helicopter or ambulance.
However, police say a man was assaulted at a party and called an ambulance after returning home, and did not think he was taken to hospital.