Police today confirmed a homicide inquiry has started in relation to the death of Napier street dweller Boy Taylor in the city’s CBD early on Wednesday morning.

Shoes in an a recess between shops in Emerson St, Napier, near where a man died early on Wednesday morning. Police were investigating. Photo / Doug Laing

Detective Inspector David De Lange said a post mortem had been completed, confirming 58-year-old Taylor, whose family is from Tangoio, north of Napier, suffered injuries consistent with assault.

“A large team of investigators are working on this investigation and would like to hear from anyone who has information that could assist with enquiries,” he said.

Police would like to hear from anyone who witnessed any incident in the area from around 2am, and said people with any information or CCTCV or dashcam footage should make contact via the 105 reporting line or go to 105 online to make a report, referencing file number 241218/5045

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Taylor was found about 3.15am on Wednesday on the paving a metre or two from a recess between Pascoes the Jewellers and One.nz in Emerson St, near the intersection with Hastings St.

Police said attempts were made to resuscitate him but he died at the scene.

Police have not said publicly how the incident had been discovered, although CCTV is understood to operate from more than one site in the immediate area.

Taylor was known in the CBD as friendly and sometimes talkative, and was sometimes seen with a supermarket trolley carrying belongings. A trolley was found at the scene.

Tributes were made on social media, highlighting a “gentle soul”, who was “harmless,” and was keen to help when he could.

One picture of him was with former Maori Party leader Tariana Turia, another was of him on stage in Wellington.

Taylor had been on numerous ventures with Zack Makoare’s Taitimu Trust, which was established in 2007 and “aims to Turn the Tide on Māori health disparities by inspiring future leaders,” including presenting to Parliamentary select committees on relevant issues.

Makoare said Taylor was a “likable”, “harmless” and helpful man who had his issues, and had been well-liked.

He was distraught and added to the call for people to reveal anything they knew, and said anyone who was “involved” in any incident relative to the inquiry should “man-up” and contact the police.

One person told Hawke’s Bay Today they had seen an incident at the other end of the Emerson St shopping centre, in the vicinity of Clive Square, in which a man on the ground was being kicked in the head, but they pulled back when themselves threaten. They didn’t know if that incident would have any link to the death.