Worrying signs that Auckland's homeless are more at risk of violent attacks

A homeless man has described a culture of violence and fear amongst those sleeping rough on Auckland's city streets.

The comments come after a homeless man died following an alleged assault at a central Auckland park on Tuesday night.

He was the fourth homeless man to die in violent circumstances in two years.

BEVAN READ / FAIRFAX NZ Police cars at Outhwaite Park on Wednesday morning after the death of a homeless man

Homeless man Sistar Six said the homeless were being kicked, urinated on and spat on. "We're seeing younger and younger people on the streets now and they're getting taken advantage of and abused. It's always been there but it's more common now."

Auckland police have arrested and charged a man with assault of the dead man. The man charged appeared in the Auckland District Court on Wednesday.

The homeless man was admitted to Auckland Hospital shortly after 11pm on Tuesday but subsequently died. He was believed to have been assaulted sometime between 6.30pm and 10.30pm.

Police earlier described the death as unexplained but later said he had been assaulted.

A number of violent incidents involving homeless men in Auckland have occurred since 2013.

A 49-year-old man, Maqbool Hussain, was beaten and stabbed to death in a temporary squat in Balmoral, on March 24 2014 by Justin Vance Turner, 29, who was enraged that Hussain was sleeping rough.

Homeless man Steven Harris, 54, was stabbed to death by his homeless friend Grenville Fahey, 49, in Auckland City's Myers Park in September last year following an argument.

In August 2013, Edwin Linder, 42, died in Auckland Hospital after being beaten up in a central Auckland alley by Steven Churchis, 18, who had also been living rough on the streets.

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A report published early this year by the Auckland Council highlighted the concern for those who slept rough on the streets of central Auckland.

It said those who slept rough were vulnerable to physical attack, especially from drunk patrons leaving bars and nightclubs as well as friends and family who also slept rough.

After the latest incident at Outhwaite Park, cordons were set up as police investigated the death.

The cordons were in place around the perimeter of the small park.

Shift commander Inspector Kerry Watson said police were now investigating.

Detective Inspector Kevin Hooper said anyone with information about the circumstances leading up to the man's death should contact Auckland city police on (09) 302 6400.