When homeless, Michael would sleep in this tent in the bushes. Photo / Supplied
Michael lived on and off the streets for seven years. Now he's been off them for six months and this time he's determined to keep it that way.
Michael, who wanted to be known by his first name only, moved to Rotorua in May 2017.
"I moved down from Auckland and wanted to try somewhere different. If you've been homeless it doesn't really matter what town," he told the Rotorua Daily Post.
"There wasn't any reason not to move, and one of my favourite basketball players [Steven Adams] is from here."
Michael lived in a bush in Rotorua, where he had a small tent. He had a solar shower and would heat the water in it by dipping it in the geothermal activity.
"It's hard to explain. People have this perception of homeless people as what you see in the streets, begging and trying to get as much money as possible. Others are not like that. They have been through circumstances that are not their own fault," he said.
"For me it was gambling. That's how I ended up on the street. When gambling was no longer an issue, I just enjoyed living on the street."
Michael said the Pouhine Charitable Trust was a major help to him as he wasn't receiving a benefit while homeless.
"That's why I needed the trust. Without the benefit or clothing I'm not going to be able to survive."