Awhi, is living in a cave surrounded by some of the most expensive real estate in New Zealand. Residents want him evicted but Awhi says it is the only form of shelter he can find.
64 year old, Awhi, moved into a cave close to the Mt Drury Reserve in the town of Mt Maunganui, New Zealand. The residents of these multi-million dollar mansions were unhappy that Awhi had set up camp so close to them. They complained that he was spoiling their views of the picturesque beach.
Awhi, like many others, fell victim to the pandemic and became homeless after losing his job. Homelessness is a huge problem in New Zealand and the lack of housing forced him to seek refuge in a cave in order to survive.
Awhi has managed to make the place comfortable. He has laid a paddle board across the cave front as a make shift door and even has a kitchen type area complete with gas burners and pots. However, the walls are lined with graffiti and there isn’t any room to stand.
It is reported that the rich people living close by have held regular meetings to see if they can evict Awhi from his cave. The local MP Simon Bridges confirmed that members of the community are filing complaints. Although, they all aren’t necessarily about Awhi, but the parties, noise, fires and drinking antics that surround the cave. Bridges also added that if he had a couple of million dollars mortgage, and something was spoiling his experiences, he might feel the same way.
Despite the residents’ efforts to evict Awhi, it is reported that the local council can’t move him since he hasn’t been sleeping rough in the cave for more than 18 months.
