7 days ago
The Big Sleepout Returns: Lifewise Calls On Kiwis To Help Raise $500,000 To Tackle Homelessness
Sir Bob Harvey, Antonia Watson and Rob Campbell are among those backing The Big Sleepout's return to spotlight housing hardship.
AUCKLAND, New Zealand – 7 July 2025 – After a six-year hiatus, Lifewise's largest fundraiser - The Big Sleepout - is back. With an ambitious goal of raising $500,000, the event will bring together high-profile business and community leaders for one cold, unforgettable night spent sleeping rough to support people experiencing homelessness across Aotearoa. The event will take place on 10 July, at AUT Campus in the CBD.
First launched in 2010, The Big Sleepout invites participants to step outside of their comfort zone - swapping warm beds for cardboard and cold concrete - to raise awareness and funds to support the over 4,000 whānau who experience homelessness every night. This year, the Big Sleepout will raise funds for Merge Cafe - a non-profit cafe that often acts as the first point of contact for those sleeping rough, offering warm meals, peer support, and connection to Lifewise's wider wraparound services.
A growing crisis and a call to action
Recent figures from Stats NZ show over 112,000 people are now severely housing deprived across New Zealand. In Auckland, homelessness is worsening, with a 53 per cent increase in rough sleeping since late 2024, according to Auckland Council's Community Committee. Homelessness is now also increasingly affecting people who weren't previously considered at risk - including working families, single parents, young people and the LGBTQ+ community.
'The return of the Big Sleepout couldn't have come at a more critical time.
'Homelessness has increased significantly, especially in our city. The Big Sleepout isn't about replicating the experience - it's about building empathy, shining a light on a complex issue, and driving action. At Lifewise, we want our street whānau to know they are seen and valued - and that together, we can create real, lasting change,' says Haehaetu Barret, Chief Executive of Lifewise.
A night of insight and impact
The Big Sleepout gives participants a small glimpse into the hardship faced by street whānau. Attendees receive a piece of cardboard, eat a basic meal of soup and bread, and sleep outside. Throughout the evening, they'll hear from speakers with lived experience, such as comedian Joe Daymond, view a short film created by former homeless individuals, and take part in discussions on systemic solutions.
This year's Big Sleepout has participants from all walks of life including former Waitakere mayor Sir Bob Harvey, KiwRail CEO Peter Reidy, ANZ Bank CEO Antonia Watson, Barrister Mai Chen, AUT Vice-Chancellor, Damon Salesa and Professional Director Rob Campbell among others.
Campbell says, 'We treat homelessness as a background issue - as something that happens to others and is out of sight and out of mind. The reality is homelessness affects people in every corner of our communities. Every person deserves dignity, safety and a place to call home. We need more than policy tweaks - we need empathy, courage, and collective responsibility.
'The Big Sleepout is a powerful reminder that meaningful change begins when we connect, not just with the issue, but with each other. I'm proud to stand alongside others to support Lifewise and the work they do every day to create a more just and compassionate Aotearoa, ' says Campbell.
Proceeds from the event will directly support the work of Merge Café, which serves more than 250 people a day and provided over 10,700 hot meals in the last financial year. With the support of peer workers and case managers, 587 whānau and 70 rangatahi were housed through Lifewise's services in 2023/24.
Just a small donation can make a tangible difference:
