People who arrive in Christchurch from overseas homeless and jobless are getting beds at the City Mission over others who are sleeping rough.
Missioner Michael Gorman said today that in the past three years, about 30 people have been offered a bed when they have arrived in the earthquake-hit city unprepared.
The mission has 30 beds for men and seven for women.
Mr Gorman said the mission provides emergency accommodation for anyone - regardless of where they come from.
It was not a major issue, he said, but people needed to think carefully about why they are coming to Christchurch and whether they have a job or house lined up.