The local woman who discovered a homeless man dead at the Upper Clutha rugby grounds last week says measures must be put in place to ensure people don’t “fall through the cracks” this winter and beyond.

Police confirmed the body of a man in his 60s was located in Wanaka on Tuesday May 11.

“He had not been reported missing. His death appears to be a medical event and the matter has been referred to the coroner,” a police spokesperson told the Wanaka App.

The Wanaka App asked the police whether they were aware of the man living among the pine trees at the rugby grounds, and if they were aware of any other people living rough in Wanaka.

Flowers left for ‘John’.

The police spokesperson said the police did not “hold [this] data”.

Community Networks was also asked the same questions, but manager Kate Murray said she could not comment on any individual’s situation as the services they provide are confidential.

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However, long term resident Sonny-Joy (Sonata) McLeod said Wanaka police had been aware of the man, whom she knew as John, for six years, and had housed him in a hotel during the Covid-19 restrictions.

Sonny-Joy said she had known John for the past year, and had offered him shelter and sometimes dropped off food for him. Last week she went by to check on John because of the cold temperatures, and found him dead.

Police officers attended the blessing, which was organised by police.

Sonny-Joy said she has lived in various cities where councils recognise that homelessness is an issue, and where facilities are provided for people to make use of when they need to, for example when the weather is particularly cold.

Given the economic struggles arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, Sonny-Joy believes that John’s death is a “wake up call” for affluent Wanaka, and that the council and support agencies must have processes in place to manage homelessness.

“And it’s not just homelessness, it’s general mental health and instability,” she said.

Sonny-Joy said she also found evidence of a homeless person in the public toilets at the Dinosaur Park on Monday (May 17) and Wanaka police referred to “concerns regarding a homeless man begging near the Night and Day” in this week’s Crimeline report. 

Police organised a blessing for John at the rugby grounds yesterday morning, which was attended by about 18 people, including three police officers.

“There are key community people who are with me to make proactive change, and we are meeting and working together to do so,” Sonny-Joy said.

She has asked both the Queenstown Lakes District Council and Community Networks what their policies and procedures are for homeless people.

“We want to understand where we can help out and how we can facilitate change,” she said.

PHOTOS: Wanaka App