This will be my third Big Sleepout, and each time I've learned a little more about homelessness and what we can do to ensure that every person in our society has the dignity of a safe, basic place to live.

Like most people, I have a roof above my head and the security of knowing that it will be there tomorrow for me and my family. Yet in my new role as an MP, I come across families every week who don't have a secure home. We simply shouldn't accept that in New Zealand.

Doing the Big Sleepout is about building empathy for those who don't enjoy the security of stable housing, and it's also about the very practical work of helping Lifewise to end homelessness. Your donation will make a real difference in helping Lifewise to get people into housing. Please contribute if you are able.