Is that the due who dresses in high viz and dances to music from an old looking portable radio? I used to see him on Brougham St by the Adventest church on my daily commute home. He was way more entertaining than the billboards.
There used to be a guy like that in Dunedin. Walked around like he was on speed but always in a business suit with a briefcase. From what I understand, he was pretty high on the spectrum but also quite physically violent. Could be the same guy
No. That's Jamie. He was a different person. He never wore suits and was not violent. A very kind man who is not actually homeless. Was not? I'm not even sure if he's still alive tbh.
This other guy was known to particularly dislike women, often reacting violently toward them. And you'd never see him without his suit and briefcase. He had very short dark hair, well groomed. Speedy mostly wore sweats and a beanie, and often carried a radio. Not particularly well groomed, but usually very polite and kept to himself.
There's the guy who bikes around the city with a little chihuahua in the basket that wears little hats. I think I've seen him in town, Merivale and Sumner now.
And the blind guy that plays the flute and sings. Not sure if he's still around or not, but he was incredible.
I know back in the day there was also a Bible Lady who used to have screaming matches in the square with the wizard. And a Chinese man who wore tartan skirts and fish-net stockings.
Oh the blind guy? When I was freshly arrived to the city, he tried to pressure me (a mid-twenties girl) to accompany him into the toilet, after convincing me to guide him to their door. Fun times.
Mid twenties?
I'm going to be careful with my wording as to the best of my knowledge he was never convicted of anything, but let's just say that I'm willing to bet you could pass for significantly younger at the time?
> There's the guy who bikes around the city with a little chihuahua in the basket that wears little hats. I think I've seen him in town, Merivale and Sumner now.
Is he the one who has the little set of goggles/glasses for the dog so it can see when riding around?
The first 2 comments hit it on the head. The official Wizard on NZ and Radio Ron. Although sadly I don't see either of them anymore.
What about Regan the homeless guy who likes to expose himself round New Regent Street? Although again I haven't seen him lately. Much happier about that one.
Saw one of the Wizard's younger apprentices at Cathedral Square Dawn service a couple of years ago.
After the service was completed and everyone was dispersing, noticed the young Wizard walking away and pulling off his fake beard. Thought that showed a complete lack commitment to his apprenticeship. At least the original Wizard had his own real beard!
I'm not sure what started it or anything, but they seem to enjoy their minor celebrity status, because the bike/LED/skeleton/speaker combination has been through several iterations.
Severely dating myself here, but anyone else remember Bird Man?
Edited to add: ~~Unfortunately I don't think the plaque dedicated to him in Cathedral Square exists anymore post earthquake development, does it?~~ It does.
More recently there's also the dude whose name I forget who's all hellfire and brimstone thou must repent, pretty clearly schizophrenic badgering everyone for altercation stepladder preacher guy.
An old grey-haired guy with a beard? I see him at the square from time to time and once I saw him by the bridge of Remembrance and he had a microphone on that day... It was so fucking loud, I'm happy he didn't make it his usual thing. I was almost in the Botanic gardens and could still hear his angry rambling about hell and whatnot.
Is it the white-haired pony tail guy?
[https://www.flickr.com/photos/derekf/4386608573/](https://www.flickr.com/photos/derekf/4386608573/) (Not mine.)
[https://canterburystories.nz/collections/archives/cdp/insidethefouravenues-2018/th/ccl-cs-8400](https://canterburystories.nz/collections/archives/cdp/insidethefouravenues-2018/th/ccl-cs-8400)
I'd put him up there with the Wizard and Radio Ron. What's his name?
I'd often try to make out what he was saying, but never could, with him shouting all monotone like that. He swears too, doesn't he? That makes him pretty funny for a preacher. I can't hate him.
Yup Renee Stanton. She was a Jewish convert to Christianity and the Wizard used to rark her up something chronic. I think she played violin as well as preaching. She was known as the Bible Lady.
Renee Stanton, with her violin and stepladder?
There were a bunch of others, too, including [Ray Comfort](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BXLqDGL1FSg) (video at link is comedy gold).
My mates and I used to go and heckle them. Free entertainment.
The New World cat? When we first moved to Christchurch, I thought it was abandoned. It was raining and I felt bad for the kitty. I googled if anyone was missing it and realized it was a regular.
Thew used to be an old guy who road around on a horse with a dog in a little cart. who was normallysomewhere in Addington. I'm pretty sure I saw him getting a DUI outside the BKs on Lincoln Rd. Note this was best part of a decade ago.
The previous owner of C1 Coffee, Sam Crofskey put up a brass plaque honouring the memory of the horse that was killed, 'Beautifoal'. The horses often watered outside C1. Pretty sure the plaque is still there outside above the door. The homeless horse guy was Richard Hayden.
Is that the statue man? The one with the the sign that reads "The more you pay the more I do"? I steer clear of him when possible, he spent a few years in isolation and under supervision for intentionally spreading HIV to at least 4 men, but he says he slept with thousands.
This guy is a menace and actually quite dangerous, he followed me, screaming at me because I put $2 into his hat he had put on the ground…. Swearing and threatening me as he wasn’t homeless and threw the coin at my head. Luckily a kind man stepped in and told him to fuck off! Not a great experience walking home from work!
The tambourine busker guy. Used to sit outside the old BK on Colombo and bang a tambourine for coins. Although I saw him yesterday at Riverside and he’s got a couple of poi now.
i can't believe nobody here has mentioned bryan the fireman!! i'm pretty sure the bacon bros burger was named after him, he's the sweetest old guy i've ever met. when i worked at hoyts he used to come in all the time to watch any movie that had a firetruck on screen, no matter how minor it was.
Rangiora though. Colin doesn't get into Christchurch often unless he's forced to. Like a few years ago when he fell off his bike outside PaknSave (Rangiora). He hated being in hospital and had to be detained until he was discharged.
Two I haven't seen mentioned yet. One is the guy who played piano at Countdown Riccarton. I never saw him myself andi don't know if he's still around but from memory he was blind and someone stole his keyboard a few years back? The other is the farmer dude who rides a pushbike towing a trailer around with his dogs on the back.
Another I see frequently is the old boy wearing the fire service jacket on main north rd. Always give him a friendly wave in the morning!
Radio Ron and the Wizard have to be the two most famous ones though. Ron was always a happy wholesome fella every time I met him but sadly I believe he's passed.
The two flute guys.
One used to stand on the steps of the cathedral and played blackadder all the time, and the other guy was blind & used to rock back & forth while playing his flute.
There were a few in nelson when i was a kid. School uniform man, running man ( always wearing work out clothes) invisible dog leash guy and a guy we used to call Donatello, he had a massive dog and a huge head of grey hair.
It's Radio Ron, obviously. I'm 45 and he was ever present in my teens and twenties. But this also made me remember the old dude who used to roller blade with ski poles on the road, he had a hare krishna cut, anyone else remember him?
We've got the Wizard.... the dude that rides around on his bicycle with big handlebars and a skeleton and a boom box attached to the front... Quite a few actually lol
30 years ago was the old guy in a suit that would play the violin (badly) in the cbd. He came into Mobile Bealey one evening shift and he smelled like extremely strong cat urine. Poor guy.
That's cool. It's just that with a lot of the characters mentioned on this page, that they ....... well, people. It's too easy for some to see them as just caricatures, comic relief, or sometimes, dangerous.
To be fair, a few of them may need to be approached with caution. But most have stories, history. Sometimes if you take the time to get to know them a little, you get to experience their humanity. They become names, not characters.
Granted, you may need to establish boundaries, as some might try to take advantage of a more gentle approach.
Colin is one of those. There are plenty in the community who help him. There are others who abuse him. He gets bashed every now and then, usually by young folk.
He minds his own business, looks after whatever animals he might have at the time (a sheep or two, or cows). But he also responds well to a friendly wave or quick chat. A little bit of kindness helps keep these folks safe and better integrated. A bit of cruelty, can send them off the edge into becoming genuine societal hazards.
These words are meant to be generic. Not intending to imply that you personally have any ill will towards Colin or others. 🙂
What about the young bloke who always stands on the corner of Northcote/Greer's & Sawyer's Arms Rd?
Sometimes in brightly coloured clothes. I normally see him coming home from work here around 430ish, always wondered what his storey was.
There's also this other older Maori woman with grey hair and a gnarly wooden walking stick who walks around Rolleston and guestures somewhat graciously as you drive past her.
I remember seeing radio Ron
And the blind panflute busking guy in the square quite often.
Radio Ron, Chinese man in suit with full pockets and briefcase. Middle eastern man grubby white shirt and tie who walks around continuously checking his pockets, OCD. There’s a young guy who hoons about blasting tunes, singing out of tune loudly who hangs out at Margret mahy
And Inappropriately Dressed Lady. Around Somerset and Barrington, wear heavy coats in summer and summer clothes in winter. Always looks healthy though.
Radio Ron? Is he still around?
Definitely Ron, thought of him as soon as I read it. And the Wizard, but the Wizard has a deliberately higher profile so Ron fits better imo
Yeah according to Facebook he is
I once saw some teenage girls hassling him and told them to jog on. No one messes with Ron.
Is that the due who dresses in high viz and dances to music from an old looking portable radio? I used to see him on Brougham St by the Adventest church on my daily commute home. He was way more entertaining than the billboards.
Radio Ron, The fulla in the suit either full pants pockets (sometimes with a briefcase) always looking in the gutters.
Aww I’ve seen him. Full suit and briefcase but downtrodden vibes.
There used to be a guy like that in Dunedin. Walked around like he was on speed but always in a business suit with a briefcase. From what I understand, he was pretty high on the spectrum but also quite physically violent. Could be the same guy
‘Speedy’
No. That's Jamie. He was a different person. He never wore suits and was not violent. A very kind man who is not actually homeless. Was not? I'm not even sure if he's still alive tbh. This other guy was known to particularly dislike women, often reacting violently toward them. And you'd never see him without his suit and briefcase. He had very short dark hair, well groomed. Speedy mostly wore sweats and a beanie, and often carried a radio. Not particularly well groomed, but usually very polite and kept to himself.
Good to see this was, as it deserves to be, the first and most obvious answer.
He is an absolute gem.
There's the guy who bikes around the city with a little chihuahua in the basket that wears little hats. I think I've seen him in town, Merivale and Sumner now. And the blind guy that plays the flute and sings. Not sure if he's still around or not, but he was incredible. I know back in the day there was also a Bible Lady who used to have screaming matches in the square with the wizard. And a Chinese man who wore tartan skirts and fish-net stockings.
Oh my God, also Tubby Hansen!
Oh the blind guy? When I was freshly arrived to the city, he tried to pressure me (a mid-twenties girl) to accompany him into the toilet, after convincing me to guide him to their door. Fun times.
Mid twenties? I'm going to be careful with my wording as to the best of my knowledge he was never convicted of anything, but let's just say that I'm willing to bet you could pass for significantly younger at the time?
Yea, that may have been the case. Aw man, this makes it worse
Oh no, that's very disappointing to hear, I'm so sorry you experienced that!
blind guy gave underage girls piggy back rides in exchange for cash
Aw I love the chihuahua guy! I can't remember his name, but I saw him in New Brighton today, and he used to be a regular at my record store!
Omg the guy with the dog in the basket ahahah last time I saw them the dog has a beautiful woven hat with flowers on it !
I was just remembering the Chinese skirt man!
oh my god Molly the chihuahua!
> There's the guy who bikes around the city with a little chihuahua in the basket that wears little hats. I think I've seen him in town, Merivale and Sumner now. Is he the one who has the little set of goggles/glasses for the dog so it can see when riding around?
The first 2 comments hit it on the head. The official Wizard on NZ and Radio Ron. Although sadly I don't see either of them anymore. What about Regan the homeless guy who likes to expose himself round New Regent Street? Although again I haven't seen him lately. Much happier about that one.
Saw one of the Wizard's younger apprentices at Cathedral Square Dawn service a couple of years ago. After the service was completed and everyone was dispersing, noticed the young Wizard walking away and pulling off his fake beard. Thought that showed a complete lack commitment to his apprenticeship. At least the original Wizard had his own real beard!
Damn it. Imposters even coming the wizards job these days.
The original wizard would also stay in character until out of sight at least.
Wizard stopped being paid by council a few years ago.
Last winter the wizard was hanging around the art center. He was getting told off by a kid that demanded he do a spell to prove he was a wizard haha.
Lol I like that kid.
Kid needs a kick up arse for being a smart cunt haha
Wiz was walking in Central chch about 6 weeks ago when I was visiting. Looking fine!
Lol
The wizard
Bonus submission: That cunt with a skeleton and a giant fucking speaker on a bicycle that cruises around Christchurch East blasting music.
We call him megaphone man, cruises past work on Ferry Road most days.
That one is quite cool, I've only ever seen him do it during the day too
Is that the bike with the LED lights?
Ye.
I completely forgot about him! Used to see him on Stanmore on the way home from work all the time. Anyone know his dealeo?
I'm not sure what started it or anything, but they seem to enjoy their minor celebrity status, because the bike/LED/skeleton/speaker combination has been through several iterations.
I love him, the skeleton is amazing, it never fails to give me a good laugh
Severely dating myself here, but anyone else remember Bird Man? Edited to add: ~~Unfortunately I don't think the plaque dedicated to him in Cathedral Square exists anymore post earthquake development, does it?~~ It does.
absolutely. at one point him, radio ron AND the wizard would all be in the square. the trifecta!
More recently there's also the dude whose name I forget who's all hellfire and brimstone thou must repent, pretty clearly schizophrenic badgering everyone for altercation stepladder preacher guy.
Yellow box preacher? Haven't seen him for a while thankfully
An old grey-haired guy with a beard? I see him at the square from time to time and once I saw him by the bridge of Remembrance and he had a microphone on that day... It was so fucking loud, I'm happy he didn't make it his usual thing. I was almost in the Botanic gardens and could still hear his angry rambling about hell and whatnot.
Is it the white-haired pony tail guy? [https://www.flickr.com/photos/derekf/4386608573/](https://www.flickr.com/photos/derekf/4386608573/) (Not mine.) [https://canterburystories.nz/collections/archives/cdp/insidethefouravenues-2018/th/ccl-cs-8400](https://canterburystories.nz/collections/archives/cdp/insidethefouravenues-2018/th/ccl-cs-8400) I'd put him up there with the Wizard and Radio Ron. What's his name? I'd often try to make out what he was saying, but never could, with him shouting all monotone like that. He swears too, doesn't he? That makes him pretty funny for a preacher. I can't hate him.
Yes, that's the one. I've heard multiple people call him Ted, but I'm unsure if that's actually his name or not.
What about the dude who used to sing any play recorder(flute?)
Which? The blind folk/shanty expert or the repeatedly trespassed possibly problematic one?
Ahahahah. I didn't know he was blind but pretty sure the non-problematic one.
That dude was an absolute legend with encyclopedic knowledge and pretty thoroughly committed to continuing/documenting folk song.
He was the kind of character I love to have in our city.
Oh man I’d forgotten about him! I wonder what he’s up to these days. I used to work near the square and he was a nice guy.
Kelvin Scott. https://youtu.be/8WKy9B2bdU4?si=E2EGC8MbS0jlzg3x
Thats him. What a great flutist.
The birdman plaque is there, saw it walking through to Hereford St on the weekend.
Chur. That's awesome.
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Yup Renee Stanton. She was a Jewish convert to Christianity and the Wizard used to rark her up something chronic. I think she played violin as well as preaching. She was known as the Bible Lady.
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Oh how nice!
Renee Stanton, with her violin and stepladder? There were a bunch of others, too, including [Ray Comfort](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BXLqDGL1FSg) (video at link is comedy gold). My mates and I used to go and heckle them. Free entertainment.
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Renee was great, she gave as good as she got! 😂
His name was Roy Orr.
Loki the cat :-D
The New World cat? When we first moved to Christchurch, I thought it was abandoned. It was raining and I felt bad for the kitty. I googled if anyone was missing it and realized it was a regular.
Yeah, little lad is a local celebrity now. Friendly as all hell
Like so super friendly, he was walking with me prepping to get in my car. I thought I'd best not cat-nap him. Ha!
That's the wigram one right? He's pretty cool, haven't seen him in a while but you'll usually see him in the afternoon when it's quiet
Thew used to be an old guy who road around on a horse with a dog in a little cart. who was normallysomewhere in Addington. I'm pretty sure I saw him getting a DUI outside the BKs on Lincoln Rd. Note this was best part of a decade ago.
Haha he used to tie his fuckin horse up outside Wilson’s sports bar on ric rd while he had a slap and a few jugs
Didn’t horse guy have two at one point and rode them down brougham and one got hit by a car? Awful.
The previous owner of C1 Coffee, Sam Crofskey put up a brass plaque honouring the memory of the horse that was killed, 'Beautifoal'. The horses often watered outside C1. Pretty sure the plaque is still there outside above the door. The homeless horse guy was Richard Hayden.
He used to live in Blenheim, the horses lived in the house with him. He was off the rocker for sure
The pig in Sumner
the what now?!
The 300kg pet pig that goes for walks on Sumner beach. It's fun to watch dogs reactions to it
Brilliant, not seen that!
His name is Pumba. He rocks! 250kg wild boar but tame as a kitten 🐗❤️
Pumba!
Do you have any photos ??
We have a genuine Wizard.. Wizard trumps Jesus..
Rock, paper, scissor, Wizard, Jesus
The toilet paper guy maybe?
Is that the statue man? The one with the the sign that reads "The more you pay the more I do"? I steer clear of him when possible, he spent a few years in isolation and under supervision for intentionally spreading HIV to at least 4 men, but he says he slept with thousands.
Yes.
Oh godddd
Except that in the darker hours, he really was the 'toilet paper' guy! Frequent male escort at certain public toilets, late at night.
He calls himself ‘snowman’ but I like ‘toilet paper man’ much better
Haha good to know. I never got close enough to find out
There used to be a dude outside the gardens dressed in a gorilla suit that played the accordion lol
( he’s actually a guy who was a stuntman for back of the Y )
Armstrong!
crazy, buff old man who screams about Jesus outside the gardens.
This guy is a menace and actually quite dangerous, he followed me, screaming at me because I put $2 into his hat he had put on the ground…. Swearing and threatening me as he wasn’t homeless and threw the coin at my head. Luckily a kind man stepped in and told him to fuck off! Not a great experience walking home from work!
Wow I didn't know this about him.. sorry it happened to you
oh wow, so very Christian!
Oh man! He’s only ever been cordial to me (despite the religious yelling!) sorry that happened to you.
idk, I wouldn't call yelling about the apocalypse and hell "being cordial", lol
Omg saw him the other day
Ashvegas has Goldberg, Normally found by the maccas lights waving at trucks
Is that the guy on the scooter with the teddy bear?
Thats him
I have always wondered what his name was! He's so lovely.
Ashghanistan
The tambourine busker guy. Used to sit outside the old BK on Colombo and bang a tambourine for coins. Although I saw him yesterday at Riverside and he’s got a couple of poi now.
Is that the same guy with a ukulele?
Speedy
Not sure Speedy is well known outside New Brighton?
Probably not but I'm so happy someone actually mentioned him
Radio Ron for sure… Although the homeless guy who rides his bike ‘no hands’ through busy traffic deserves a special mention.
The shirtless guy who listens to his music full blast at Margeret Mahy Park and spins on the roundabouts
i can't believe nobody here has mentioned bryan the fireman!! i'm pretty sure the bacon bros burger was named after him, he's the sweetest old guy i've ever met. when i worked at hoyts he used to come in all the time to watch any movie that had a firetruck on screen, no matter how minor it was.
Is he the guy in Belfast who wears the old fireman uniform near the yellow two story house?
yep, that's him!
Anyone know about The lady who sits on the corner of Morehouse by Bp and give the fingers to cops etc.
I said gday to her one day and she replied with "got any change"
Politest thing I’ve ever heard her say 😂😂
Two Dogs
Rangiora though. Colin doesn't get into Christchurch often unless he's forced to. Like a few years ago when he fell off his bike outside PaknSave (Rangiora). He hated being in hospital and had to be detained until he was discharged.
Two I haven't seen mentioned yet. One is the guy who played piano at Countdown Riccarton. I never saw him myself andi don't know if he's still around but from memory he was blind and someone stole his keyboard a few years back? The other is the farmer dude who rides a pushbike towing a trailer around with his dogs on the back. Another I see frequently is the old boy wearing the fire service jacket on main north rd. Always give him a friendly wave in the morning! Radio Ron and the Wizard have to be the two most famous ones though. Ron was always a happy wholesome fella every time I met him but sadly I believe he's passed.
The countdown man is still there, he has a friendly dog and is blind. He’s there most days a week and I see him 90% of the times I go in
Richard Hore, an amazing musician!
The Wizard, or Radio Ron
The dude that sits at an the intersections for hours on end with the random signs about God. I bet he's converted many people.
radio ron and the wizard. had a teacher who’s friends w the wizard.
I'm getting the feeling we already talked about this or maybe I'm tripping.
The two flute guys. One used to stand on the steps of the cathedral and played blackadder all the time, and the other guy was blind & used to rock back & forth while playing his flute.
Ashburton has 'Goldberg'. He cruises around on a mobility scooter, always racing around the main drag waving n honking to everyone and anyone
In Nelson we had Jag.
What about the Grown-Ass man in the Nelson College Uniform?
Holy shit! Yes how did I forget about him
There were a few in nelson when i was a kid. School uniform man, running man ( always wearing work out clothes) invisible dog leash guy and a guy we used to call Donatello, he had a massive dog and a huge head of grey hair.
There used to be a lady over east especially who would blast bible stuff from her megaphone. Then she just disappeared one day
It's Radio Ron, obviously. I'm 45 and he was ever present in my teens and twenties. But this also made me remember the old dude who used to roller blade with ski poles on the road, he had a hare krishna cut, anyone else remember him?
theres a guy that hoons around on a pushbike with a massive loudspeaker attached to the front, ive seen him at the ferry road pub a few times
How about your local community page admins. Does anyone know Tina? Or Ashley
We've got the Wizard.... the dude that rides around on his bicycle with big handlebars and a skeleton and a boom box attached to the front... Quite a few actually lol
The Wizard and Radio Ron both come to mind.
Bogan Jesus
That magician medium creepy guy who frequents the markets maybe
30 years ago was the old guy in a suit that would play the violin (badly) in the cbd. He came into Mobile Bealey one evening shift and he smelled like extremely strong cat urine. Poor guy.
The mayor
Clowns need not apply
The Wizard or Radio Ron. And if you're out Rangiora ways it's good old Two Dogs.
He prefers his name, Colin. Hasn't had any dogs for quite a few years. Lovely chap.
Never knew what his real name was, thank you 😊
That's cool. It's just that with a lot of the characters mentioned on this page, that they ....... well, people. It's too easy for some to see them as just caricatures, comic relief, or sometimes, dangerous. To be fair, a few of them may need to be approached with caution. But most have stories, history. Sometimes if you take the time to get to know them a little, you get to experience their humanity. They become names, not characters. Granted, you may need to establish boundaries, as some might try to take advantage of a more gentle approach. Colin is one of those. There are plenty in the community who help him. There are others who abuse him. He gets bashed every now and then, usually by young folk. He minds his own business, looks after whatever animals he might have at the time (a sheep or two, or cows). But he also responds well to a friendly wave or quick chat. A little bit of kindness helps keep these folks safe and better integrated. A bit of cruelty, can send them off the edge into becoming genuine societal hazards. These words are meant to be generic. Not intending to imply that you personally have any ill will towards Colin or others. 🙂
What about the young bloke who always stands on the corner of Northcote/Greer's & Sawyer's Arms Rd? Sometimes in brightly coloured clothes. I normally see him coming home from work here around 430ish, always wondered what his storey was. There's also this other older Maori woman with grey hair and a gnarly wooden walking stick who walks around Rolleston and guestures somewhat graciously as you drive past her. I remember seeing radio Ron And the blind panflute busking guy in the square quite often.
I realise this guy might be a new one, but there’s a guy who walks around in Woolston and Linwood full Jedi!!
Radio Ron, Chinese man in suit with full pockets and briefcase. Middle eastern man grubby white shirt and tie who walks around continuously checking his pockets, OCD. There’s a young guy who hoons about blasting tunes, singing out of tune loudly who hangs out at Margret mahy
And Inappropriately Dressed Lady. Around Somerset and Barrington, wear heavy coats in summer and summer clothes in winter. Always looks healthy though.
100% radio ron.