After a hiatus of five years initially due to COVID-19, we are thrilled to announce that The Big Sleepout is back. Launched in New Zealand by Lifewise in 2010, the event has been a powerful force for raising awareness and funds to tackle homelessness in New Zealand.
The aim of the Big Sleepout is simple: to bring the issue of homelessness and those suffering from trauma, mental health issues, and poverty into the hearts and minds of the wider public by having—individuals who Kiwis recognise as “people like me”— experience a night sleeping rough. This immersive experience not only humanises the issue but also helps to inspire the donations and engagement needed to make real change happen.
This year, Lifewise acknowledges that eradicating homelessness is not easy. We wish to convey a message of hope to our homeless whānau: that we see them, understand their needs and pain, and that we care. Our aim is to provide hope that they too can overcome homelessness. With the support of Lifewise and similar organisations, they can access housing options and wrap-around support.
Homelessness in New Zealand: A Growing Crisis
Homelessness is often seen as a distant problem, a statistic that is easy to overlook. Even in a country renowned for its collective spirit, there exists a clear gap between the perception of homelessness and the lived experience of it. Many Kiwis struggle to understand what it is truly like to face homelessness, and the scale of the issue often feels abstract, distant. But behind these numbers are real people— our friends, our neighbours, our whānau—struggling with circumstances beyond their control.
Disabled, females, Māori, Pacific peoples, children, rangatahi, and members of the LGBTIQ+ population are most likely to experience severe housing deprivation.
The financial cost of homelessness to the country is staggering, with taxpayers bearing a burden of $65,000 annually per person**. Yet, for many of us, homelessness remains an invisible problem, often hidden from view or reduced to a headline in the news. This disconnection makes it even harder to address the issue and create meaningful change.
In a nation known for its spirit of community and care for others, it is disheartening to know that an estimated 112,000+ Kiwis are severely housing-deprived an increase from 99,000+ in 2018. The pandemic and rising living costs have worsened the situation, but despite the severity of the issue, many New Zealanders remain disconnected from its harsh realities.
Who are the people taking part in the Lifewise Big Sleepout 2025?
Leaders and influencers from the business and community sectors in Auckland are invited to spend one night sleeping rough to gain a first-hand understanding of homelessness. Their commitment is supported by encouraging donations to Lifewise using their respective network of family, friends, colleagues, and the public. The event is designed to give participants an insight into what it’s like to sleep rough, not to replicate it.
In addition to experiencing what it’s like to sleep rough on cold, hard concrete, participants in the Lifewise Big Sleepout have the opportunity to meet and hear from inspiring individuals who have lived experience of homelessness and the many pathways to homelessness. Due to the calibre of its participants, the event also serves as a unique networking opportunity, bringing together some of the country’s leading figures outside of a traditional boardroom setting in the hope of starting conversations and ideas on how to best tackle homelessness and help bring hope to our homeless whānau.
Where will the funds raised in the BSO go to?
Funds raised will go directly to Merge Café and Community. Merge Café is more than just a café serving meals – it’s a place where people nurture connections, reach out to get support, and a space where everyone is welcome. Merge acts as a crucial first point of contact for street whānau during crises, offering not only hot meals but also a warm, engaging kōrero with friendly staff, peer support workers and volunteers. An integrated support system is also in place to connect individuals with Lifewise’s expanded social services, empowering them to thrive.
Quick stats about Merge Café & Community:
- $10 provides a homeless person with a hop card for travel to and from appointments
- $25 provides a homeless person with 5 hot meals at Merge Café
- $26.85 pays for one hour’s work for whānau seeking work experience through Lifewise Works
- $1,992 keeps Merge Café open for one day for whānau sleeping rough
- $1,500 can support someone experiencing homelessness into a permanent home
Do your part in helping out
Donate by clicking the button below or go to the Lifewise Big Sleepout website to know more: www.bigsleepout.org.nz
For more information, contact bigsleepout@lifewise.org.nz
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