Waiheke Island legend Roger Reardon dies at 61
Roger Reardon, a Waiheke Island fixture known for his unconventional music, fishing and labour work while living in his car, has died earlier this month aged 61.
Roger Reardon, a 61-year-old labourer, artist, musician and fisherman, has died. He lived in his car on Waiheke Island, working odd jobs and giving away his fishing catch while recording 14 albums of spoken-word music. His life and death exemplify the island's transformation from a sanctuary for eccentrics and those less fortunate into a place where homelessness ranks among the highest in the Auckland region, driven by absentee property owners and short-stay rentals.
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Jolly Roger: Farewell to a Waiheke legend
Roger Reardon, who died earlier this month, represented the last vestiges of Waiheke Island as a sanctuary for hippies, eccentrics and those less fortunate. Julie Hill talked to some of those who knew him. “Hard case”, “mad bastard”, “tough fucker”…