Christchurch City Mission raises alarm as rough sleepers battle below freezing temperatures

Christchurch City Mission says its team members are worried about finding dead rough sleepers as temperatures drop below freezing.

In a social media post, the charity said the past week had been tough for the unhoused.

Temperatures fell to minus four degrees celsius over the weekend.

The Mission's outreach team said it had been checking on the unhoused community - including those sleeping in cars - during the cold snap.

It was offering emergency shelter, warm clothing and sleeping gear.

"Our guys are genuinely worried they are going to find someone who has not made it through the night," the post read.

It said it was especially concerned as more elderly people were out on the streets.

The post mentioned the team coming across an 82-year-old during their welfare checks.