Hope, fears among the homeless

Patariki Tawhiao was asleep under a bridge when he was assaulted by a group of young men.

He was shaken awake and tried to defend himself, but one of his attackers hit him with a rock.

The 54-year-old homeless Nelson man went to hospital to be treated for his injuries. He has recovered from the attack last year, but the experience has had a long-lasting impact.

‘‘They smashed a rock on my back and beat me up and took all my stuff. I have got nothing, but they still took it,’’ he said.

‘‘It gave me anxiety and everything and I was a bit scared, so that’s why I went to group up with a few friends to keep safe.’’

Tawhiao was one of 35 men interviewed as part of what is believed to be the first survey of homelessness among men in Nelson. The research findings were shared with the Nelson City Council and representatives from community organisations yesterday.

After the assault, Tawhiao said police checked on him at night to see if he was OK. But he still feared for his safety, so he moved on.

He’s slept under bridges, in tents and derelict houses. He sometimes gets moved on by security guards.

‘‘It’s frustrating. All I’m doing is having a sleep, I’ll be gone in the morning.’’

Tawhiao said he had been on and off the streets for the last 10 years or so. He wasn’t always homeless, and for 25 years he had worked in forestry, then the fishing industry.

‘‘I’ve been in and out of houses, but it was just that I couldn’t cope and then I ended up going on to the streets.

‘‘I hope the next generation don’t experience what I have.’’

Philip Chapman, who runs men’s support and advocacy network The Male Room, said an increase in the number of homeless men in the region last year was the catalyst for the research.

He said there were more than 35 homeless men in Nelson, but the survey gave an insight into their lives and their hope for the future.

‘‘These men have complex and

‘‘I went to group up with a few friends to keep safe.’’

Patariki Tawhiao, Nelson homeless man

very interesting lives,’’ he said.

Chapman said the survey took about half an hour to complete, and the men were given a food voucher for their efforts.

Researcher David Mitchell said the survey showed most of the were hopeful about the future, despite being homeless.

Unsurprisingly, the main finding was that they wanted a home, somewhere to shower and cook food. ‘‘It was about shelter, warmth, sustenance – basic necessities.’’

Nelson Mayor Rachel Reese said homelessness in the region was a complex issue that was poorly understood at a Government level.

‘‘When I talk to ministers, they are still surprised about the situation in relation to homelessness and housing affordability in our city. It is a constant message I have to keep delivering.’’

She said homelessness was defined as people living rough, in emergency housing or in substandard garages.

Census data between 2006 and 2013 showed that Auckland, Wellington and Nelson had the biggest increases in the number of people without a home.

It was estimated in the last five years, the number of homeless people in Nelson had nearly doubled, with an estimated 417 people without a home.

There are currently 78 families on the social housing register in Nelson, but Reese said there were probably people in need who were not on that list.

Last month Housing Minister Phil Twyford announced that the Housing First programme would be expanded in Nelson and Blenheim, with 20 new state houses built by June 2018, which Reese said was a start.

‘‘We’ve never had homelessness of this scale in New Zealand,’’ she said. ‘‘There is a moral responsibility for all of us to address this issue.’’