According to some eyewitness reports and the Capital Times this morning, a "fight" broke out at last Thursday's Festival launch party.

The dust-up occurred between Steve Nicoll of Salient and Radio NZ producer Mark Cubey. Nicoll apparently drunkenly approached Cubey saying words to the effect of "you old bastards should get out of the way and let the new generation take over" although probably with more swearing.

Cubey, taking insult to the term "old", allegedly* threw his drink at Nicoll. Nicoll then, allegedly, threw a punch ‘like someone pecking at typewriter keys’ and was escorted off the premises. Cubey, after receiving the "peck" went down (knocked out we hear, but only from one person, though he may have fainted).

Some of the Wellingtonistas were in attendance though had sensibly left before the scuffle. One reported she had been the recipient of an awful pick up line: "What’s your Myers-Briggs personality type?" and was forced to leave.

But what this journalist wants to know is: why the hell didn't Cubey drink the wine!?!

*a word used so we can't be sued