The 33-year-old was taken to Lakes District Hospital about 6am with serious head injuries after he was found lying in Turner St at the bottom of a steep bank.
A police media spokeswoman confirmed yesterday afternoon the man had been transported to Christchurch.
Queenstown police area response manager Senior Sergeant Glenn Wilkinson said "urgent inquiries" were being made into how the man was hurt.
He was seen near Turner and Hallenstein Sts about 2am, and police wanted to hear from anyone who could help with the investigation, he said.
A blood-stained shirt, and a pair of shoes next to a pool of blood, were still on the road at the bottom of the bank about 8.30am yesterday.
The bank, which showed signs of recent disturbance, is next to a flight of steps connecting Turner St to Hallenstein St.
