Park Up protest heads to Parnell

What started was a protest idea amongst some Mangere flatmates is now is heading to Prime Minister John Key’s neighbourhood.

The Park Up For Homes movement is holding its last planned protest against homelessness and has chosen Parnell as its final destination.

The event will see individuals and families park and sleep in their cars on the night of August 25.

Protest organiser Mackenzie Valgre says a draw card for choosing Parnell was that the Prime Minister’s house was in the area.

‘‘We are wanting to bring this crisis into reality, take it to his doorstep…not literally of course,’’ she says.

The exact location will not be revealed until the morning of the event.

The initiative began in Mangere in June which attracted around 1000 people who wanted to show solidarity with those who were facing winter living in a car or garage.

Other events have been run throughout Auckland as well as Palmerston North, Wellington, Napier and Hamilton.

‘‘We hope that the Government realises that Kiwis . . . want the Government to do better.’’

National MPs Nick Smith and Phil Twyford are yet to respond to their invitations the Parnell event.

The event runs from Thursday at 7pm through to Friday at 6am. Search Parkupforhomes on Facebook for more event details.