Off the streets and into a home for Hombre

Hombre Tahuriorangi, 69. Photo/Stephen Parker

Hombre Tahuriorangi says he is known around town as the 'Poncho Man'.

But those with a memory that stretches back longer than 18 months may remember him for living on the streets.

The quietly spoken 69-year-old secured a two-bedroom unit in Western Heights after Love Soup intervened and helped him get accommodation last year.

Yesterday the Rotorua Daily Post caught up with Mr Tahuriorangi who said he never imagined after working all his life it would come to this.

He moved back to the city he grew up in from Auckland - after working in security - and found he could not get a job or a house.

''I just had to deal with it. It's something you don't really think about but it's a bit depressing.''

''My house is colder than the streets,'' he said.

There were no luxuries to be had after paying $240 per week in rent although having his cousin as a border, who also came off the streets, helped.

He calculated that left him with about $200 in his pocket to last a fortnight and cover expenses.

His shopping list consisted of the basics like tea, coffee, porridge and noodles ''but I don't starve''.

Of course there was no car and only the bus when he could use his Gold Card but there was still time to help others and pitch in with the organisation that saved him.

Mr Tahuriorangi said he was grateful to Love Soup for its support.

Its co-founder Elmer Peiffer said moving people off the streets and into safe secure homes was satisfying.

More people needed to swallow their pride as there was no shame in asking for help, he said.

Yesterday Love Soup provided free fruit, veges and bakery items for 86 people and some of those were elderly.