Westpac's Grant Andrews outside a flat which is available
rent free for three lucky students. The car is offered as
part of another student-related deal. Photo by Jane Dawber.
Three flatmates wanted: Must be willing to live rent free
in a new centrally-located student flat: Contact large bank for
details.
In a first for Westpac, the bank is offering a free flat in
Clyde St - dubbed the Westie Pad - to a student and two of
their friends for this year.
And the catch?You have to sign up for an application pack, be
selected as one of five finalists, before you and your
potential flatmates compete in an "Amazing race" on Friday
for the prize.
In addition, the winning team would be asked to sign a code
of conduct.
Westpac marketing manager (for under-35s) Grant Andrews, of
Auckland, said the competition was an attempt to increase the
bank's share of the crucial student market.
Tertiary study was a time when banks could gain or lose
market share, and Dunedin as "the only real student city in
the country", was a high priority for the bank, he said.
The previous flat was demolished late last year and the new
one, which is owned by Dunedin man Cliff Seque, was completed
last week.
"We did joke about putting an ATM at the front."
The red and black flat comes complete with dishwasher,
flat-screen television and leather couches, and has attracted
plenty of interest since the students returned to the area,
he said.
Mr Andrews said he was spending a few nights in the flat
himself, and despite being noisier than he expected, he was
enjoying the chance to live in the student area, and a more
relaxed dress code.
"If we turned up looking like a bunch of bankers they
wouldn't want to talk to us."
The competition would be run for each of the next three
years, and there was the potential the Dunedin model could be
rolled out nationally, he said.
"We love Dunedin, and we think this is the greatest city to
study in."
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