Street tribute to Wellington's 'Blanket Man'

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Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:35p.m.

A young teen leaves a message for Blanket Man (Photo: Jerram Watts)

A young teen leaves a message for Blanket Man (Photo: Jerram Watts)

By 3 News online staff

An impromptu street tribute to Wellington’s ‘Blanket Man’ has gone up on Courtenay Place – with passers by leaving notes, flowers and even blankets.

Street dweller Ben Hana, known as Blanket Man, died on Sunday afternoon aged 54.

Mr Hana was a near-permanent fixture on Wellington’s Courtenay Place, cutting a recognisable image with his tattered dreads, loin cloth and trademark blanket.

Even Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown gave tribute to Mr Hana, who described himself as a devotee of the Maori sun god Tama-nui-te-ra

"He was an extremely well-known Wellingtonian, who lived his life in his own way,” she told media.

The cause of his death is not known, but lawyer Maxine Dixon says he was suffering medical problems resulting from heavy alcohol use and malnutrition.

3 News / NZN

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Comments

17 Jan 2012 04:45p.m.

Don wrote:

the more people will be in the street thank s to john key goverment,who care only about them self,new car,and sallary,nz becoming poor country,....sturving to dead,.

17 Jan 2012 02:05p.m.

go home mr taxpayer! wrote:

I cannot believe some of the comments on here...some people cannot comprehend how different events in a persons life can effect them later in life.. mr taxpayer you obviously had al the opertunaties offered to you and were given the skills to excel, think outside of your little circle and understand that not everyone has been given oppertunities like this or mayb even the skills to even get by , it disgusts me that for 1 you can be so judgmental (obviously have nothing to hide yourself) and 2 b so friken disrespectful this man has passed and he deserves to do so in peace, buggar off ae and leave your cruel views to yourself!!!

17 Jan 2012 01:55p.m.

Zara wrote:

Bet the landlord of the building is thrilled with the graffiti. Hope we're not going to get another disgrace hanging around Courtenay Place.

17 Jan 2012 12:55p.m.

christina wrote:

@taxpayer you should be ashamed of your lack of compassion towards this man, maybe he didnt want to live on hand outs!! im sure with all the signs of respect in words and flowers etc.. he was a friendly member of society.. R I P xx

17 Jan 2012 11:02a.m.

freedom wrote:

@Taxpayer everyone is making a big deal over this "loser" because he was another human being! he had as much right to be on the streets as you have to be in your home and wasting taxpayers money he didn't asked to be housed so he isn't taking that much he didn't need an excuse he is entitled to his freedom! how about you go away and really find out were your money goes and who is really wasting it because it isn't the homeless WAKE UP PEOPLE!

16 Jan 2012 04:44p.m.

tax payer wrote:

why is everybody making a big deal over this looser,he has been nothing but a waste off tax payers money, there is no excuse for anybody to live on the streets in new zealand with all the hand outs

16 Jan 2012 03:48p.m.

John wrote:

RIP Free Spirit. Many people all over NZ will miss you!