A public auction has injected much-needed cash towards a new clock at the Onerahi Shopping Centre that is expected to be operating in two months.
Following the removal of an old clock and the leasing of the tower to Vodafone in 2007, the telecommunications company assured the Onerahi Focus Group it would help re-establish a new clock when the community was ready.
With $2700 in the bag, an auction before the Vodafone Warriors pre-season game at Toll Stadium two weeks ago raised $4150. Focus group chairman John Clark said while up to $9000 was still needed for the project, he was confident the group could raise the outstanding amount.
Vodafone had donated 14 items for the auction, including three mobile phones, four tickets on the Team Vodafone racing trimaran based in Auckland, two signed Vodafone rugby league balls, a large and signed Northland rugby ball, a $150 prepay voucher, a league sweatshirt, an Auckland Blues rugby jersey, a notebook computer and laptop bag, a framed Whangarei - Love It Here poster signed by the Vodafone Warriors and a Tribe league scarf. Vodafone had also provided an iPhone 4S valued at $1040 for a lucky draw. Other items had come from Northland businesses, including a $200 dinner voucher, a framed print of a water colour, a sportswatch, a trip for two to the Poor Knights with Dive Tutukaka and a ladies gold wristwatch.
Vodafone had supplied 100 free tickets to the game for those who attended the auction, the use of the stadium's Vikings Room for the auction plus free finger food.
Mr Clark said the new clock design, the brainchild of a former Whangarei District Council employee, had been approved by the Onerahi Community Association. Council engineers would help with consents.