A 17-year-old Kapiti youth is on life support after he was found unconcious in a car park in Paraparaumu, north of Wellington, last night.

Wellington District Field Crime Manager Detective Inspector Mike Johnson said the teenager was found unconscious about 3am, near the back of KFC in the Coastlands car park. Parts of the car park have been cordoned off, as well as a nearby bridge.

"It's too early to speculate on what has occurred or whether any weapons have been involved," Johnson said

A hospital spokesman said the teen was in Wellington Hospital's Intensive Care Unit in a critical condition. Police have said the teenager is on life support and had to be resuscitated at the scene. His family were at the hospital with him.

Fifteen police were working on the investigation. No arrests had been made, but a number of people were being questioned.

"We are making inquiries in relation to CCTV footage and whether it covers the appropriate areas which may give us a clue."

Police have marked out spots of blood at the Kapiti Lights complex and are conducting a forensic examination.

Johnson said the victim was outside Retro Bar "when it appears he got into an altercation with a group of people".

"From there, the male has then gone through an alleyway which leads to Coastlands. We have cordoned off this area to complete a scene examination.

"The area where the male was located is also cordoned off, whilst a scene examination is completed."

A store owner, who did not want to be named, said patrons of nearby bar Retro sometimes caused trouble when it closed at 3am.

The woman said it was a hotspot for broken bottles and fights.

"They get tanked up ... and then wreck people's lives."

A Retro bar spokesman said "all of the people involved weren't here during the night".

The victim is Maori and was wearing a blue and beige checked shirt, with a white t-shirt underneath. He was also wearing blue jeans and light brown boots and a black woollen hat.

"Anyone with any information in relation to this incident is urged to contact Kapiti police or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111," Johnson said.

- © Fairfax NZ News