"Morning, sir. Just getting everybody up for the day." Inside Auckland’s rough sleeper wake-up call.

As the sun rises over Auckland, the city slowly comes to life. Commuters begin flowing up Queen Street, cafés open their doors, and the rhythm of the CBD returns. But before the morning rush fully begins, a small team is already at work. This video follows Auckland Council compliance wardens during their early-morning “wake-up” patrols through the central city. Their job is to gently rouse rough sleepers from benches, doorways, and shopfronts before the day’s crowds arrive. It’s a delicate task that requires patience, empathy, and persistence. Out on the streets, wardens like Ansh Parmar and Roimata Farrington begin their patrol. Their approach is calm and respectful: a soft “morena,” a gentle request to wake, and sometimes a conversation about breakfast, medical help, or support services available at Auckland City Mission. Their work goes beyond simply moving people along. The wardens build relationships over time, learning individuals' stories and connecting them with outreach workers and housing services. Some encounters take days or even weeks before someone is ready to accept help. Video / Michael Craig Full story: https://bit.ly/46YykE3 Subscribe and be notified of breaking news: https://goo.gl/LP45jX Check out our playlists: https://goo.gl/Swd249 NZ Herald Facebook: https://goo.gl/tUC4oq NZ Herald Instagram: https://goo.gl/oLicXe NZ Herald Twitter: https://goo.gl/Wi6mbv