This Saturday, the final Charity House built by Otago Polytechnic Carpentry students will be go up for auction under the hammer of real estate agency, Bayleys Dunedin.

The modern three bedroom, two-bathroom, relocatable family home has been fully furnished thanks to partnerships with generous Dunedin businesses to supply interior materials including carpet, curtains, beds, linen, and kitchenware.

The house has been built to ensure a cozy living environment offering year-round warmth and energy efficiency.  It’s billed as a “fantastic opportunity for savvy buyers”, with the bonus of supporting a great community effort.

For the last 19 years, the Charity House initiative has given Carpentry and Electrical trades ākonga the chance to work on an architecturally-designed build, with the knowledge every dollar raised from the sale will go straight back into supporting the vital mahi of local organisations.

Carpentry student Satine Aydon says it’s been awesome watching the build grow from nothing into a full professional house.

“It’s a really good feeling knowing that we did this by ourselves and we built this house for someone to actually live in,” she says.

They’ve been working under the guidance of their experienced tutors and master tradespeople.

Local companies including Cook Brothers and Naylor Love have provided industry insight along the way, giving the learners an understanding of the types of projects they do and apprenticeship opportunities.

Carpentry student Shayden Connell says the programme has helped confirm he’s on the right career path.

“I’ve always liked building, but I didn’t really get a proper taste of it until I came to do this course,” he says.

“It shows you what it’s going to be like on a proper job site, how inspections work, and it’s been really insightful.”

Funds raised from the Charity House project go to the Catalytic Foundation, which distributes the proceeds to charities in the region.

CEO Teresa Moore is impressed with the quality workmanship, and says it’s a great project to have been involved with.

“The Catalytic Foundation has been fortunate to be part of the Charity House Project for the past 19 years, and we are deeply grateful to Otago Polytechnic for this opportunity,” she says.

“A special thank you to everyone who has contributed to building the houses, and to the generous sponsors who have helped furnish and equip them so beautifully.”

“These houses have become a unique and valued part of the Dunedin story and we hope to reignite the project in the future.” 

Teresa says the organisation has given funding to around 30 charities every year, through the help of the initiative.

“Charities like Dunedin Curtain Bank, who provide beautiful curtains for people living in cold, damp houses and SuperGrans who bring people together and do wonderful knitting and cooking for the community. And also places like the Dunedin Night Shelter which help the homeless on those very cold nights.”

The Otago Polytechnic Education Foundation Trust has also played an important role in the initiative over several years.

The trust receives a portion of the proceeds from the annual Charity House sale. In recent years, two thirds of that money has gone to the Catalytic Foundation for its community initiatives, with the remainder supporting Otago Polytechnic students, staff, and projects through the Education Foundation.

Paul Allison, Chair of the OPEFT, says the trust is proud to have supported Otago Polytechnic students and staff in projects that enrich learning and benefit the wider community.

"Charity House funds have played a key role in making this possible, supporting overseas learning experiences, innovative equipment, and creative initiatives that inspire growth and impact," he said.

Final Charity House Auction: Midday, Saturday 15 November at 23 Parry St, Dunedin

• Check out full details of the Charity House property listing here

• Video statement from Teresa Moore, Catalytic Foundation CEO

Otago Polytechnic, the Otago Polytechnic Education Foundation Trust, and the Catalytic Foundation would like to thank all the fantastic sponsors and partners who have supported the Charity House project over the last 19 years...

- Active Interior Design
- Aotea Group
- Bayleys Real Estate Dunedin
- Carpet Court
- Cook Brothers Construction
- Design Windows
- Dulux New Zealand
- Eco Workshop
- Foleys
- Freeman Roofing Dunedin
- Geeves Scaffolding
- GIB
- Heating and Airconditioning Services
- Ideal Electrical Suppliers New Zealand
- Kitchens for Less
- Makita New Zealand
- Mammoth Insulation
- Marley New Zealand
- McNeilly Heavy Haulage
- Milwaukee Tools NZ
- Mulford Holdings Ltd
- Niagara - Strength In Timber
- PlaceMakers
- Schneider Electric
- Timeless Flooring and Bathrooms
- Viridian Glass New Zealand
- Windsor Architectural Hardware