A man called 'Little John' who has lived in a cave for the last decade has been reunited with his dad for the first time in 25 years.
The 57-year-old, who lives out in Otago on New Zealand's South Island, lives an extraordinary life which involves performing dentistry on himself and not collecting any benefit to survive.
There was no particular animosity or argument in the family that broke them apart - but the separation came after the death of Little John's brother which hit everyone very hard.
Little John was battling addictions and watched the collapse of his relationship - and that's when he moved out to live in the cave. And he hasn't moved for the last 10 years.
After publication Stuff shared Little John's story, his family, including his sister based in Australia, got in touch saying they were so grateful for the words about him.
Little John's sister said: "It feels like a weight has been lifted, no longer fearing the worst and wondering where he was."
It also caused his father, who Stuff agreed not to name and who is based in Dunedin, New Zealand, to contact a foodbank to try to track him down.
Michelle Kerr, from the Mosgiel Community Foodbank, told 9 News "it was a huge step for him".
Little John explained that he knew his father's address but hadn't visited him since he moved to the South.
But on Wednesday (March 9) the father and son were finally reunited after 25 years apart. Little John's dad said it was a wonderful experience.
The pair enjoyed a meal and spent quality time together - Little John even spoke to his sister in Australia.
Little John even found out his mother had died in 2019.
The father and son decided they plan to see each other again in the future.
Living several kilometers away from the closest human structure, Little John said it's there that he found peace with God and became close with his fellow Christians.
Little John himself said the Stuff article had helped him too as he has been able to form bonds with local residents. Where previously they were wary of picking him up, he can now hitchhike.
And a few weeks ago Little John said he heard people calling his name who had obviously gone looking for him.
Struggling to find his cave at first, they began calling his name, to which he replied "G'day".
Little John said he had had some offers from hopeful 'cave women', but "not as many" as he wanted.
He particularly likes the cold months in the Otago caves and plans to spend winter there.
Explaining why he lives in the cave he said "for me it's natural, and natural is healthy".
He also doesn't want to claim the unemployment benefit or eventually the pension because he said the money would give him access to his addictions.
Little John explained he's always had a problem with "booze and smokes" but now he smokes and drinks much less basically because he can't afford it.
He has given up on Government support, come off the dole and closed his bank account in what he describes as "a really big step".
Doing odd jobs and using food banks, he gets by on around $500 a year.
Little John added that he lives in a cave "because it's free" but also because "nobody bugs" him there.
