Police are still investigating a brawl at the Bullock Bar on Sunday night which left 25-year-old Nicholas James Gee requiring surgery in Dunedin Hospital for a missing part of his ear.
Sean Michael Colbourne (43) entered no plea in the Queenstown District Court yesterday when he was charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm - an indictable offence which carries a maximum 14-year jail term.
Queenstown justice of the peace Joy McDonald remarked the charge was "very serious" before she remanded Colbourne on bail with conditions.
The conditions include the surrender of his passport and not associating with any witnesses involved in the incident.
JP McDonald questioned police why Colbourne should be stopped from associating with witnesses before she granted the condition.
Colbourne is also barred from entering licensed premises, apart from those he co-owns.
Colbourne is a company director of a business behind Wanaka watering holes the Bullock Bar and Opium, and the Luggate Hotel. The company also runs recently-opened Queenstown striptease venue the Cadillac Club.
Colbourne was ordered to appear for a post-committal conference on December 28.
Detective Dave Evans is still seeking witnesses to the altercation and can be contacted at the Wanaka Police Station.
He said he could not rule out the possibility of more charges being laid against people involved in the incident.
