Kind Masterton strangers find somewhere to sleep for 'distraught' man

The man was in the Masterton Police Station about 10.30pm asking for help when kind strangers stepped in. Photo / File

Strangers leaped to help a man who had nowhere to stay in Masterton last night.

Police praised the kindness of people who helped the man, after he left a "negative situation" near Wellington and arrived at the Masterton Police station about 10.30 last night with nowhere to go, said a post on the Wellington District Police Facebook page.

"The man had not been able to obtain support from MSD or other support agencies that day due to the timing of his arrival, and had no place to stay. He was quite distraught and upset so had approached police seeking assistance."

A member of the public at the station overheard the man talking to police, and although she couldn't give him anywhere to stay for the night, she bought him dinner from nearby takeaway.

Police believe she then put a call out on social media for someone to help the man, because within minutes of her leaving the station, another person arrived to help.

"While police staff were attempting to contact possible accommodation sources, another member of the public approached the front of the station.

Last night around 10.30pm a man came to the front counter at the Masterton Police Station who'd just arrived in the...

Posted by Wellington District Police on Thursday, 18 January 2018

"He had heard about the man not having any accommodation, and although he had never met this man before, didn't know his background, he advised that he would have the man stay with him, as long as his wife was okay with it."

The man gladly accepted the offer and the pair left the station.

"This act of kindness reinforces the strong community spirit in the Wairarapa region, and a willingness for members of the public to help those in need," the police post said.