Mysterious photographer who helped raise hundreds of people for identified homeless man

The anonymous photographer who raised hundreds of dollars for a homeless Dunedin man is revealing his identity in a bid to continue honoring him after his death.

Allan Adams – a familiar sight on the streets of central Dunedin – told RNZ last year‘S Afternoons that a photographer had taken his photo, sent him a copy and another copy to Pea Sea Art art gallery in Port Chalmers to be auctioned on his behalf.

ADRA Care Dunedin, a nonprofit organization that helped Adams, said he died earlier this month.

“The circumstances of his death are unknown, but what is known is that he was found in bed and had no funeral. It’s heartbreaking when you hear something like this,” ADRA Care Dunedin said in a Facebook post.

“The news of his death and funeral saddens me. “I wish we had known, so even if his immediate whanau couldn’t be found, we as his Caravan whanau would have been there to celebrate his life with what we knew of him.”

James Mitchell has now stepped forward as a photographer and hopes to have a mural of Adams on the streets of Dunedin to honor him.

“I didn’t want anyone to know it was me, because ultimately I wanted it to be about someone – him in that situation – being seen and also telling his story. And it was great to listen to his story. … the local community sprang into action and suddenly he was seen by everyone,” Mitchell said Afternoons.

The photo earned Adams $2,750, but Mitchell says it also stirred complex feelings for him.

“I went to talk to him, I think it was earlier this year… It was actually quite a sad conversation. He, like many people in that situation, struggled with some sort of mental health and addiction.

“And the photo he got, he actually threw it away, and at first you’re like, wow, but he said… He looked at it and was so ashamed of the situation he was in that he found it hard to to look at themselves in kind of that positive light.

“But you understand why he would do that. He really struggled with the way he saw himself and had that inner voice, as a lot of people have… but it’s hard to get out of that situation.”

Adams (Ngāpuhi, Chinese) was born in 1961 in Whakatāne and grew up in the Tūhoe area before moving to Auckland with his parents in the 1970s when his father, a machinist, moved for work. He ended up in Dunedin in 2001 and over time became homeless.

Where to get help:

Do you need to talk? Call or text 1737 toll-free anytime to speak to a trained advisor for any reason.

Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357

Suicide crisis helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who are thinking about suicide, or for people who are concerned about family or friends.

Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7) or text 4202

Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7)

Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 (8am-12pm), or email [email protected]

What is: free guidance for 5 to 19 years old, online chat 11 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. 7 days/week or free telephone 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 Monday to Friday from 9am to 8pm or text 832 from Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Languages ​​spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi and English.

Rural Support Helpline: 0800 787 254

Healthline: 0800 611 116

Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155

OVERVIEW: 0800 688 5463 (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM)

If it is an emergency and you think you or someone else is in danger, call 111.