Ben Hana | |
|---|---|
 Hana in 2008 | |
| Born | 8 February 1957 |
| Died | 15 January 2012 (aged 54) |
Bernard Hana, a.k.a. "Blanket Man" (1957 – 15 January 2012), was a homeless man who wandered the inner city streets of Wellington, New Zealand.[1] He was a local fixture and something of a celebrity and was typically found on the footpath in the precincts of Cuba Street and Courtenay Place.[1]
Hana was a self-proclaimed devotee of the Māori sun god Tama-nui-te-rā[2] and claimed that he should wear as few items of clothing as possible, as an act of religious observance.[citation needed] As a result, he would sometimes remove all his clothing, which resulted in the attendance of police officers.
His nickname "Blanket Man" was a reference to his usual mode of dress, which was a single blanket,[1] long dreadlocks, and either a loin cloth or briefs. His activities and presence provoked a degree of public debate within Wellington.[1]
It is believed Hana chose to live on the streets after killing a friend in a drunk-driving incident,[3] as a form of self-penance.[4]
- ^ a b c d Hunt, Tom (19 June 2010). "The man behind the blanket". The Dominion Post. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
- ^ "Wellington icon 'Blanket Man' dies". 15 January 2012. Archived from the original on 14 February 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
- ^ "Blanket Man died of heart attack – inquest". 10 December 2012.
- ^ "Tributes pour in – but who really was Blanket Man?". 3 News NZ. 16 January 2012.