Helping whānau get back on their feet
“Help us shine a light on homelessness in Auckland and get whānau sleeping rough back on their feet.”
This is the call to action for the 2026 Lifewise Big Sleepout – and AUT is answering the call by partnering with the charity to host the event and up to 100 leaders who will ‘sleep rough’ on Thursday 25 June.
The need for action
- 1 in every 1,000 people in Aotearoa is without shelter
- 57,000 women are homeless, often in unsafe living situations
- 14 in every 1,000 people live in housing considered uninhabitable
Stereotypes of homeless people are wrong – Housing in now the second most pressing concern for adults age 18-34.
Vice-Chancellor Toeolesulusulu Damon Salesa says AUT’s partnership with Lifewise has spanned many years and is a way for the University to demonstrate our commitment to Auckland whānau.
“AUT’s vision is enriching lives and creating a better world – and this starts right here in our central city,” he said.
This year the fundraising event will focus on supporting Merge Café – the non-profit café at the heart of Lifewise’s social services. Merge Café provides kai to whānau experiencing homelessness, but it also connects them with essential services and opportunities to set them up for long-term stability and secure housing.
“At Lifewise, we’re here to walk alongside people experiencing homelessness and support them into safe, secure housing. Merge Café is often the first step in that journey — a place of welcome, connection and hope,” says Lifewise Chief Executive Pam Elgar, ONZM.
Where the money goes
Every dollar donated to The Big Sleepout 2026 will go directly towards the work of Merge Café, building on its history of making a difference:
How you can help
Donate to the Lifewise Big Sleepout online or sponsor an AUT participant: