Nelson locals want 'horse-man' off the street

Lewis Stanton (Newshub.)
Lewis Stanton (Newshub.)

Fed up Nelson residents have taken to the streets to protest Lewis Stanton's continued presence in the city centre.

The streets of central Nelson have been Lewis Stanton's home since the horse and cart he once slept in were taken off him last year.

He now lives outside the Farmers department store building complete with a washing line and gas cooker.

Local businesses and residents have had enough.

"It's unacceptable - this has gone on for too long. Nobody should have the right to camp or live in the city centre," said protester Ru Dawson.

Today they pegged up their protest one a washing line in the city centre asking the Nelson City Council to take action.

"I think if [Nelson Council] don't take note of what everyone's been saying then they're a bit crazy because everyone's been agreeing on the subject that Lewis needs to not be here," argued protester John Hogey.

Nelson mayor Rachel Reese agrees something needs to be done but says it's a complicated situation.

"I've met with the business owners here, I understand their frustrations and I share their frustrations and if there was a simple solution here it would've been found years ago"

Mr Stanton, who also goes by Hone Ma Heke, has a chequered history having been arrested for assault.

Last year, his horse was taken off him by the SPCA, because it had been deprived water and shade.

Nelson locals want 'horse-man' off the street

Lewis Stanton and the horse taken off him by the SPCA (Newshub.)

"I think that the protest is good, because it forces the council to have to do something about it so although they say it's against me, in actual fact I think it's for me," Stanton said.

Mayor Reese says she'll be discussing the issue with her newly elected council in the coming weeks.

Newshub.