Inside the Christchurch stadium sleepout tackling hidden homelessness

More than 60 Canterbury business, civic and community leaders will sleep on cardboard at Christchurch’s new One NZ Stadium next month as the city hosts the South Island’s first Big Sleepout, raising funds and awareness for people experiencing homelessness.

As homelessness rises in the city, organisers hope to raise more than $75,000 to support frontline services.

The Big Sleepout invites participants to raise money by sleeping outside on one of the coldest and longest nights of the year.

The event has become known for attracting celebrities, MPs, and business leaders from across the country.

Jacinda Ardern slept rough in her panda onesie for the Lifewise Big Sleepout in 2020. Photo / Greg Bowker

Politicians such as Jacinda Ardern, David Seymour and Chlöe Swarbrick have all taken part in Auckland in the past.

Other notable participants include former All Black Marc Ellis, singer Lizzie Marvelly and Herald editor Shayne Currie.

Organisers of the first Christchurch event are aiming to raise $75,000 to support housing, health, addiction and other homelessness services across Canterbury, where frontline providers are currently working with about 250 people without homes.

More than $52,000 has already been donated.

An event will also be held in Blenheim on the same night.

Many people are sleeping in parks, under bridges or relying on friends’ couches during the depths of winter.

The Big Sleepout was established in Auckland by Lifewise.

The inaugural South Island event has been organised by the Christchurch Methodist Mission (CMM).

“Ōtautahi has a long history of stepping up in times of need,” CMM executive director Jill Hawkey said.

“This event brings that spirit to one of our most pressing challenges: ensuring everyone in our city has a safe place to call home.”

In 2015, then-editor of the Herald Shayne Currie participated in the event.

All funds raised will support local homelessness services, including housing placement, health and addiction support, food and wraparound care for individuals and whānau.

Hawkey said homelessness in Christchurch was “often less visible than in other major centres”.

“CMM’s homelessness services are currently working with 250 people who are homeless. Many of these people are sleeping under bushes, in parks, under bridges and where possible will couch-surf with friends,” she said.

“Severe winter temperatures and hidden homelessness continue to put vulnerable people at risk.”

Housing First Ōtautahi spokeswoman Nic Fleming said homelessness in the city was “real, even if you don’t always see it”.

“The Big Sleepout will make a direct, immediate difference for people who need support,” Fleming said.

“And it will help our community understand the scale of the challenge.”

One NZ Stadium in Christchurch. Photo / Photosport

The event will take place at the stadium on August 13.

Organisers are promising “an evening of storytelling, lived experience speakers and discussions” before participants settle in to sleep on cardboard for the night.

Hawkey said the event was designed to “build empathy and inspire long-term action”.

“Not to replicate the trauma of homelessness,” she explained.

“This is a chance for leaders in Ōtautahi to stand together and be part of the solution.

“One night sleeping rough won’t replicate homelessness, but it will change how you understand it; and it will change lives.”

The Lifewise Big Sleepout invites people to sleep rough on one of the coldest and longest nights of the year to raise money and awareness for homelessness. Photo / Lifewise

Lifewise chief executive Pam Elgar recently told Ryan Bridge TODAY New Zealand’s homelessness rate was almost certainly higher than official figures suggest.

She said the 2023 census figure of 112,000 homeless Kiwis was underreported, as people without an address rarely complete the Census.

She said housing supply, affordability and the rising cost of living were pushing more people into homelessness, with New Zealand second only to the UK in OECD rankings.

Auckland’s event was held at AUT Campus over the weekend. So far, more than $175,000 has been donated.

For more information on the Christchurch event, or to donate, visit bigsleepoutsouth.nz

Anna Leask is a senior journalist who covers Christchurch issues and national crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for more than 20 years with a particular focus on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence and homicides. She writes, hosts and produces the award-winning podcast A Moment In Crime, released monthly on nzherald.co.nz.