A violent weekend confrontation between two groups of men led to one man being stabbed and the discovery of more than $20,000 worth of cocaine.

But police say the stabbed man was not badly hurt because his fat stomach stopped the weapon penetrating any organs and doing serious damage.

A police spokeswoman said the incident began when three men drinking at a Mangere house at 11am on Sunday went to an Otahahu house to confront its occupants who had accused them of stealing.

When one of the three was attacked by several of the occupants, his two friends left to collect weapons including a machete, golf club and spade to help their friend.

However, on their way back to the house they were stopped by police who discovered the weapons. Both were arrested and charged with possession of offensive weapons.

Police then went to the Otahuhu house, where they found the man had been stabbed in the side of this stomach.

Officers searched the house and found 47 grams of cocaine worth $21,150 as well as smaller quantities of methamphetamine and cannabis.

The occupant of the house has been charged with possession of drugs for supply, but denied knowing who was responsible for the stabbing.

Police say the occupant is not a suspect in the stabbing and they are appealing for help from the public.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Ross Ellwood on 09 261 1300.