A Wellington character known to many people simply as ''Blanket Man'' has died in hospital this afternoon.
A Wellington Hospital spokeswoman confirmed the homeless man, whose name was Ben Hana, died in hospital at 3.35pm today.
She could not comment on what he died from.
Mr Hana, whose age was unknown, was a well-known face who often sat or lay against shops and buildings in the central city. He preferred to wear a blanket and a loin cloth, and was often sighted with an iPod.
Wellington mayor Celia Wade-Brown said she was "very sad'' to hear of the local fixture's death.
"He was a very well-known character who obviously lived his life in a very high-profile way.''
Wellington City Council spokesman Richard McLean said it was too soon to say if the council would consider organising a memorial for him.
