He's not a famous businessman or TV personality but Hastings resident Heath Sutherland thinks his time is worth bidding for.
Mr Sutherland is raising money for Oxfam by auctioning a fair trade coffee break with himself.
Those who think Mr Sutherland looks like a nice chap to shoot the breeze with have until next week to get their winning bid in.
His Trade Me advertisement stated he would buy coffee, and possibly a lamington, for the winner.
Yesterday afternoon, his auction had reached a modest $10.50 and had 114 views.
While most of the bids and comments had been from friends and family, he was hopeful interest would build quickly.
Mr Sutherland was inspired by Oxfam's celebrity auctions running on Trade Me.
Time with six New Zealand celebrities, including actor Robyn Malcolm, designer Kate Sylvester and Trade Me founder Sam Morgan, whose auction had passed $3000, are proving hot commodities on the site.
Mr Sutherland said the idea came about while he was looking at Trade Me with his wife, Maryanne.
She had wondered out loud why more people were not involved when it seemed like such an easy way to raise money.
And Mr Sutherland said: ``Why not?''
The annual promotion raised awareness about the importance of buying fair trade goods by encouraging people to hold coffee breaks with fair trade coffee.
Mr Sutherland thought there would be interesting conversation no matter who won.
``I'm not the kind of person to stop and talk to a stranger on the street but I think once you start talking there's always stuff to say,'' he said.
Plus the element of the unknown appealed. ``It could be a little old lady or a businessman, it's a bit of a mystery.''
Oxfam media co-ordinator Janna Hamilton said it was exciting to see a non-celebrity want to be involved.
``We didn't expect this kind of reaction but it is a great way of supporting our work,'' she said.
Mr Sutherland said his expectations weren't too high but if people were interested in the cause it was a good way to get involved.
``If someone wanted to donate money, this is a novel way to do it. Even it's just $20 or $40, it's a nice thing to do.''
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