Charity house windfall $30k

Carpentry students during the building of the 2015 Charity House last year, which brought in the $30,000 at auction which is now up for grabs.

Rotorua community groups are in line for a $30,000 windfall thanks to the sale of a special house.

It's just been announced that last year's 2015 Charity House auction raised $30,000 which will now be distributed to community groups and charities around the Rotorua area.

Waiariki's head of marketing and communications and Rotorua Sunrise Rotary Club member, Sue Gunn, said the amount raised was more than double the two previous years and meant there would be more money to hand out throughout the community.

The Rotary Club of Rotorua Sunrise Charitable Trust was now accepting applications from local groups that wanted to apply for a share of the money.

Mrs Gunn said the "fantastic" result reflected the buoyancy in the housing market and the "appealing" design of the house.

The mono-pitch, Dutch coastal-style house was sold at auction in November.

"Getting a better price results in better proceeds for the community." Last year's charity house was the third time Waiariki students had teamed up with industry partners to build a house to be auctioned off.

Mrs Gunn said plans were already under way for the 2016 Charity House with building expected to start in March.

The design would be similar to 2015 and the build would again take place at Mokoia Campus.

"It's a fantastic result and one that students, staff and all the industry partners are very proud to be associated with. The Charity House project is a win-win for students' hands-on learning in carpentry, electrical and interior design; building future entrepreneurs and leaders in our community, plus providing a highly skilled workforce."

- Rotorua community groups and charities who want to apply for funding can go to http://rotaryrotoruasunrise.co.nz/application-forms/

Applications close on April 10.