A Taranaki woman phoned police after attacking her partner with a knife last night - at his request.

Sergeant Geoff Winter said the woman rang police about 7.30pm after she and her boyfriend had been drinking.

''He's told his partner to stab him, so she has three or four times,'' Winter said.

He said the man had left the house while his partner was on the phone.

Winter said police were later able to contact the man by phone.

''He wouldn't say where he was, he told police he was OK and he was being looked after by a mate.''

Winter said nobody had been charged and inquiries were continuing.