Wellington's Sky Stadium. Photo: Supplied
Wellington's Sky Stadium completely sold out for a charity event to help the homeless - but not a single person actually attended.
The Wellington City Mission's Silent Night fundraiser has raised nearly $328,000 to help Wellingtonians in need this year, selling 36,384 tickets to "fill" the 34,500-seat stadium.
Nobody was meant to actually attend the unique event Wednesday night, which is meant to support mission services.
One single supporter bought 8400 tickets on Wednesday afternoon.
Ticket prices ranged from $3 to $175, with all profits from the tickets donated to the mission to fund initiatives including transitional housing, food support and a free toy store for Christmas.
The mission said it has seen demand for its services soar as New Zealanders grapple with high inflation and the cost-of-living crisis.
Wellington City Missioner Murray Edridge thanked all those who supported the fundraiser.
"Whether you bought one ticket or one hundred, or 8400, everyone who has supported us has made a difference and your generosity has filled the Sky Stadium.
"We've seen ticket sales go through the roof over the last week or so, with tickets at all price points being snapped up by people who care from across the country, and the world!"
A special livestream of the empty stadium was held Wednesday night, which included a recording of mission volunteer Phoebe Rose Osborne singing 'Silent Night' in both te reo Māori and English.
"We are living in a time of extraordinary difficulty that impacts all of us, but not evenly," Edridge said.
"For those doing life hard, the increasing prices in the supermarket and for housing are difficult to weather.
"This extra financial pressure means that many families will struggle to put food on the table, or presents under the tree, with some individuals finding themselves increasingly socially isolated at this time of year."
