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Lifewise CEO Moira Lawler talked to Andrew Dickens at 3 am on 8 July, the morning after the Lifewise Big Sleepout.

[This article first appeared on Newstalk ZB on Friday 8 July]

More than a hundred people are beginning to wake up after spending the night sleeping rough.

The annual Lifewise Big Sleepout took place at Auckland’s AUT last night where 135 people took part.

People braved the mid-winter cold to sleep on a sheet of cardboard to raise money for homelessness.

Lifewise chief executive Moira Lawler told Andrew Dickens last night’s storm was an extra challenge, but people weathered it well.

“We had serious rain. We had thunder and lightning so this is without doubt the worst weather conditions we’ve ever had. Keeping it real. I think people enjoyed the challenge really.”

Ms Lawler said she’s please to see Labour’s $60 million emergency housing policy.

But she said emergency housing shouldn’t come at the expense of affordable permanent housing.

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