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A man believed to be the Stewart Island hermit has been flown from the island to Southland Hospital in a serious condition after being found hungry and with no boots.
Halfmoon Bay Constable Nick Wells said a man was found in a hut in Abrahams Bay by a Department of Conservation worker late on Sunday afternoon.
And police later said he was a 36-year old Invercargill man who had been living rough on the island since September 4.
They say they will speak to the man when his condition improves.