A deceased estate in Remuera has sold at auction for $2.45m, with the proceeds going to two grateful charities.
Most of the money from the sale of Brian and Beth Frankham's character home on Rangitoto Ave in the prestigious double Grammar zone was left to the Neurological Foundation and Presbyterian Support Northern.
Small bequests were also made to family members.
Beth died in 2008 and Brian died this year. The generous couple had no children but doted on nieces, nephews and extended family.
Family who attended the Bayley's-run auction were thrilled with the result and pleased to get the very best for those in need.
Bidding on the house, which has a council valuation of $1.56 million, started at $1.6m and quickly rose to $2m.
At one point, bids were jumping by $10,000 a second.
The winning bid on the two-bedroom home on a 1000sq m section was made by a developer. The under bidder was an investor.
"We would have liked the house to go to a family but we also had a responsibility to get the best possible price for Beth and Brian's charities," great niece Catherine Olsen said.
"Given the condition of the house we always knew there was a possibility it would be a developer."
The auction was an emotional time for the family who spent many Christmas holidays at the home with their aunt and uncle.
The Frankhams, who were married for 55 years, bought the two-storey weatherboard home before they wed and spent the rest of their lives there.
Both the Neurological Foundation and Presbyterian Support Northern were thrilled with the generous bequests and said the money was earmarked for special projects.
The couple had also been generous throughout their lives supporting their local community where they could.