Just a Few Steps Away from Homelessness

We share two heartfelt stories of pain and hope and an advertising campaign that challenges the notion that homeless means hopeless.

Untold impacts of COVID

Ken*, a 47-year-old from South Auckland, faced homelessness when his rental house was sold. Unable to afford rising rents, he turned to WINZ for affordable housing and moved to Auckland CBD, where he joined a community of homeless individuals. Ken was relocated to Zest in Grafton. "Zest was great until the country went into COVID lockdown," he says, which led to a rush to house everyone, especially those without homes. With isolation, incidents increased. "There were so many rules. We weren't allowed visitors. I'm Māori … I need my mates and whānau around me. Then WINZ started transferring us to other lodges and backpackers…This continued and I was moved numerous times."

"I worried for my safety and began feeling angry. Moving constantly is really stressful. It felt as though we were being used to keep businesses afloat during COVID."

The situation worsened after Auckland lifted its lockdown. Once government funding for COVID accommodations dried up, backpackers and lodges began evicting their lodgers. "In the end, I'd had enough. I didn't feel safe. There was a lot of drug and alcohol abuse and thefts. I felt safer and more at ease living on the street. Sometimes I couch-hopped or slept under bridges, wherever I felt secure. I spent four years intermittently living on the streets. I had a tent and a sleeping bag. I just treated it like camping. Despite feeling lonely, I didn’t have to worry about rules or constant relocations."

One day, Ken met Leah, a Lifewise Peer Support Worker. They bonded over time at Lifewise’s Merge Café. Leah was able to assist Ken by accompanying him to WINZ, finding suitable accommodation, and settling him into his new home.

Ken still catches up with his mates at Merge Café on Karangahape Road. “Merge is awesome, where else could you get a decent breakfast for $5?”

The Power of Collaboration: Malosi's Journey from Bush to Home

Auckland Council's Regional Compliance Response team recently faced a challenging situation with Malosi*, a 77-year-old Samoan man who had been living in the bush at Auckland Domain for eight years. Initially instructed to trespass and arrest him, the team decided to engage with Malosi. No one had ever asked Malosi if he needed assistance or wanted support to secure housing. He had been living in unsanitary conditions that no one should endure.

Eager to accept accommodation, Malosi's situation prompted the Regional Compliance Response team to act swiftly. They reached out to the Lifewise Community outreach team. Leah from Lifewise met the council team on-site the next morning to sign Malosi up for accommodation.

The police were informed and supported the plan. Malosi, with his bags packed, was taken to Lifewise’s Merge Café for a hot meal, a doctor's appointment, and a visit to WINZ to sort out his bond and benefits. As Leah handled these tasks, the council organised food, bedding, and clothing for him. After a long day of coordinated efforts, Malosi was finally placed into accommodation in Grey Lynn. For the first time in years, he took a shower. A council team member gifted him a radio with headphones to listen to the Samoan radio station, lighting up his face with joy. This story is a testament to the power of collaboration between the Auckland Council, Lifewise, and the  police, and a reminder that we should never judge a book by its cover.

Lifewise's Rich Heritage

Lifewise has a history that traces back to the 1850s when local Methodists worked diligently to address the social issues of the time, poverty, unemployment, poor housing, along with educational and healthcare deprivation. Pioneering a proactive approach, they promoted a thriving, inclusive, and caring society. 160 years later, that founding spirit persists. A member of the Methodist Alliance, today Lifewise embodies that legacy of social justice and practical action, adapted to current challenges. Lifewise tackles the root causes of social issues instead of merely addressing symptoms. The organisation values and thrives on collaboration, partnering with various organisations, parishes, and communities to expand capabilities and achieve sustainable solutions to social issues.

*Names have been changed for privacy.

In October Lifewise will launch a gutsy advertising campaign drawing attention to inspirational achievers who might have been  homeless if not for support and timely  interventions. Karen Coleman explains what prompted the campaign.

At Lifewise we have the privilege of working with some of New Zealand most vulnerable whānau. They share their stories of pain and hope. We also attract attention from those who have once been homeless who have turned their lives around and become artists, business owners, lawyers, CEO’s and more. Their inspirational stories encouraged us to want to educate the public that there is hope for people. Being homeless shouldn’t define you. A helping hand can make all the difference.

Our ad campaign was developed by Ed Ackman, an Australian entrepreneur.

A story of generosity

Ed explains “Late last year, while my car was being serviced, I took a walk down K-Rd. I saw a café and went in for a coffee. After two cups and a read of the paper I went to pay and the waiter said that wouldn’t be necessary. I asked him why.

Turns out it was Merge Café and I was to learn the role it plays in providing meals and companionship for those who need it.

Between then and now, my wife and I made a few contributions, but we wanted to do something more permanent. While talking to the Lifewise Group Manager of Fundraising, Marketing & Communications about that, I mentioned my background was in advertising and if Lifewise ever had a need in that area, please just ask.

And she did. 

Actually, it was quite an easy campaign to write, the concept is so obvious - never draw a judgement about a person based only on what you can see”.

The Lifewise Group Manager of Fundraising, Marketing & Communications says, "We have been blown away by the generosity of Ed and his wife. We love the campaign, and through Dynamo Media Agency, we have sought support from various media outlets to run the campaign for free. SCG is printing posters at no cost, and Speedy Signs has lent us an LED screen for a collaborative World Homeless Day event being held in St. Patrick's Square on October 10, 2024. We are truly grateful for the spirit of generosity from our amazing partners.”