Recently I wrote this post on the rising Homeless.

It only took a few days and I was standing by my vehicle when a security guard drove slowly past me, leaning out the window, yelling in a very sarcastically polite voice, “Hello. How are you today.”

Didn’t take long to join the dots, did it, and the news to get back to me but that’s small minded New Zealand, at its best.

More recently the news broke, the admission surfaced, that there are 000’s of motel dwellers, mobile homeless … they’re the current political football alongside capital gains tax, but as I drive around I’m watching the numbers increasing. Vehicle dwellers, not freedom campers or loony lifestylers, but survivors of ‘something’.

I used the title vulnerable, although I doubt there are many that actually want this. They’re simply driven backwards to a manageable position. But there’s a disregard that some of them bring with them. Not all of them, but some leave their litter, their empty alcohol containers – It’s a social brew that’s building up pressure and bound to stir local hostilities.

Last Thursday I spotted a new vehicle. A guy by himself – a reasonably presented European. He had that self-concious look that many of them have. Don’t look at me, I’m not enjoying being in this position. I was back in the same area Sunday and he was there again. He’s found a spot.

I’ve watched from a distance, the towel on window moves with sun. I didn’t see him go for swim, but when I walked past his vehicle his wet togs were on the ground by the driver’s door. Last night, Monday, I heard him run his vehicle briefly … concerned enough to keep his battery up?

Tuesday morning, he’s still in the same place, he’s sleeping in the driver’s seat, the window towel is over his knee, which is up by the window.

This is life for my mystery man today. He doesn’t know I’m watching him and I’ve started to get a bit concerned about this fellow. He’s hiding from the world, disappearing into isolation.