NBR ONLINE understands high-profile businessman Matthew Blomfield was hospitalised following an attack at his home on the weekend.
Police have confirmed two men were involved in a fight at an address in Greenhithe on Saturday night.
Spokeswoman Beth Bates said a gunshot was heard and a 38 year-old man – understood to be Mr Blomfield – was found with facial injuries. He was taken to hospital and has since been discharged.
She says the offender had fled by the time armed police arrived. The offender remains outstanding and unidentified but inquiries are continuing, police say.
Mr Blomfield was a multiple franchisee with Hell Pizza until 2008 when he closed all five of his franchised outlets after a dispute with TPF Group, which became the master franchisees for Hell New Zealand in 2006.
He ran the pizza chain’s edgy marketing campaigns through his advertising company Cinderella Communications, which was put into liquidation in 2008.
The businessman is in the midst of defamation proceedings against Whale Oil blogger Cameron Slater.
Judge Charles Blackie ruled Mr Slater could not rely on journalists' rights to protect the identity of sources used to publish information about Mr Blomfield but Mr Slater has indicated he will appeal this decision.