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Wellington icon 'Blanket Man' dies

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Sun, 15 Jan 2012 7:04p.m.

Ben Hana, known as 'Blanket Man' has died

Ben Hana, known as 'Blanket Man' has died

Wellington identity Ben Hana, more commonly known as Blanket Man, has died.

Mr Hana died in Wellington Hospital today at 3.35pm, a Capital and Coast District Health Board spokeswoman confirmed.

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

Mr Hana was well-known among Wellingtonians and he would often be seen sitting on central city streets.

Mr Hana described himself as a devotee of the Maori sun god Tama-nui-te-ra and usually seen wearing a loin cloth, along with his trademark blanket.

NZN

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Comments

16 Jan 2012 08:51p.m.

Boyd wrote:

Wow hear the raving right wing looneys speak ill of Blanket Man Ben Hana. It seems not even death is a barrier from right wing bile. What's wrong with you sick people? RIP to a man who chose to live his life differently than that of a rich right wing snob.

15 Jan 2012 11:41p.m.

Brett wrote:

I never met him, but I hope he enjoyed life. RIP

15 Jan 2012 09:16p.m.

Clarke wrote:

Many people like Ben Hana across New Zealand... believe it or not National have created a huge underclass in our society... people like Ben Hana exist all over New Zealand. No services to help them, no places for them to turn too in many cases. Rest well blanket man, if National has anything to say about things there will be many more joining you soon. National is a disgusting elitest bigotted party and since the 90's they have forced many people onto the streets. 20 years later they are set to perform the same trick again.

15 Jan 2012 09:14p.m.

billy wrote:

Well it seems anything can make the news these days.

15 Jan 2012 08:56p.m.

Megan wrote:

What a cultural revolution, that a man who lived on the streets who otherwise in history may have just been forgotten, has touched the lives of many and is being publicly acknowledged for it and remembered. Arohanui New Zealand.

15 Jan 2012 08:42p.m.

ann wrote:

i saw him a few years ago when i was visiting Wellington... i was a little shocked to see a man walking down the street naked with nothing but a blanket on... i glance at his face and he gave me a friendly smile ... i thought wow he seems like a nice guy...and i still remember that...R.I.P blanket man.

15 Jan 2012 08:24p.m.

eddie wrote:

he was an embarrasement to city dwellers and visitors to the city...kiwi or foreign! Cuba street was his 'home' during the day and an eyesore..sorry sounding if I'm speaking ill of the dead, but all you Wgtn Kiwi's think he was an 'Icon' or something to be proud of?...he was a near naked homeless man, because he a maori man it's ok?

Get a life guys.

15 Jan 2012 08:20p.m.

Eli Handley wrote:

r.i.p Blanket man!!.............you will never be forgotten

15 Jan 2012 08:11p.m.

Richie G wrote:

I remember him when he had a pet rat in the late 90's. Very well know icon. Amazing how different people touch us over time.

15 Jan 2012 07:41p.m.

Russ wrote:

Rest well with Tama-nui-te-ra Ben. Your usual cheerfulness and sometimes grumpiness will be missed along Courtenany place.