19 years of Charity House community support

A live auction on Saturday marked the final chapter (for now) of Otago Polytechnic’s long-running Charity House project.

Bayleys Dunedin managing director Chris Maclean said proceeds from Charity House sales have helped assist more than 95 Otago community charities over the nearly two decades of the initiative, distributed across the region through the Catalytic Foundation.

Otago Polytechnic announced last month that this would unfortunately be the last charity build for now, due to rising material and compliance costs and a difficult property market.

The project was originally established to give the polytech’s carpentry, He Toki, and Electrical Trade students an opportunity to build a fully functioning house, fully fitted out inside with the generous help of local businesses over the years.

The valuable contribution of sponsors was acknowledged at Saturday’s auction, with businesses assisting with the carpet, curtains and blinds, electrical work, heat pump, doors and windows, paint and stain, plumbing work, spouting, scaffolding, tiles, underfloor insulation, kitchenware, house transport, building materials, and more.

John Gallaher, Chairman of the Catalytic Foundation, said he was very grateful to the project's many supporters, including Bayleys Dunedin (formerly Metro) who’ve been involved since the beginning, working alongside Otago Polytechnic and potential buyers to secure the best result for local charities.

He says the project’s had a huge impact on a wide range of small organisations who have benefited from donations over the years.

“It’s extraordinary the work that these smaller organisations do,” says John.

“They are the glue that holds our community together.”

“We’re really grateful to all our partners and the work they have done that enables these groups to go out and do the work that’s so badly needed in our community.”

Auctioneer Chris Maclean said the well-built home is designed for easy relocation with 3 spacious bedrooms, 2 modern bathrooms, providing comfortable open plan living for families or couples. 

And while the tight property market and tough economy unfortunately meant the hammer didn’t fall at the auction, the team are still speaking with prospective buyers and are confident of finding permanent residents for the 2025 Charity House soon (together with a second unfurnished, relocatable student-built house).