Couple's bid wins charity home

A surprised Dunedin couple were the top bidders at Otago Polytechnic's charity house auction on Saturday.

A large crowd had gathered to see the house, along with two other polytechnic student-built houses, go under the hammer.

Bidding started strongly.

Keith and Heather Simon, of Taieri Mouth, were ultimately successful with a bid of $165,000.

The house came complete with a kitchen and bedroom package, heat pump, security system as well as carpet and curtains, thanks to Dunedin businesses.

Mr and Mrs Simon had not expected to be top bidders for the kitted-out home as they thought it would go for more than $200,000.

The money raised meant there would be a lot of happy organisations in Dunedin.

Among them will be the Otago Community Hospice, which was expecting to receive $20,000 but will now receive $40,000.

Mrs Simon was pleased the money would be going to charity.

The couple were not sure what the future of the house would be, but for the moment it would be transported to one of three sections they owned at Taieri Mouth.

Otago Polytechnic communications general manager Mike Waddell said there had been "great support from the community" for the project and he was pleased with the result.

The two other houses sold for $127,000 and $117,000.

Planning was under way for next year's polytechnic charity house: "It is a sustainable housing challenge designed by architects and students, built by students," Mr Waddell said.