Police are no longer looking for anyone in relation to the attack on a woman in the Styx Mill Reserve in northern Christchurch last month.
Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Wormald says police have spoken to the complainant again and are now satisfied that her injuries were not inflicted by a man, as earlier described, on 18 May.
"We are satisfied that there was not an attack on the woman," he says. "We wish to thank the public for the wealth of information they provided in assisting us in solving the crime."
Despite the fact that police did receive a large amount of information identifying a man in a grey hooded sweatshirt being in or near the reserve at the time of the attack, Detective Senior Sergeant Wormald says he's now satisfied that the person was not involved in any way.
"I'm very pleased to reassure the public that there was no crazed man in that area as described. The public can be reassured that they can use this recreational facility safely.
However people should always be wary of using remote areas on their own as there is always the potential for risk. I must reiterate that it is reassuring that no attack took place."
The woman involved will be facing a charge of making a false complaint to police.