It's been a long stretch between drinks but a Wanganui real estate company will put a number of properties under the hammer when it stages a major auction next week.
Ray White Wanganui director Tim Hocquard said it was probably the first time an auction of this size had been held in the city for about a decade.
"We initially had 22 properties lined up but one of them has been sold," Mr Hocquard said.
"It's about generating urgency in the real estate market in Wanganui. We've got people who want to sell for a variety of reasons, so potential buyers could find themselves looking at some real bargains."
The auction will be held in Wanganui Club (Heritage House) on St Hill St, starting at 4.30pm next Thursday.
Mr Hocquard said auctions were a popular sales method in larger centres such as Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and next week's event would not be the last in Wanganui. "We're already planning a second one."
While the schedule is dominated by residential properties, there are two commercial properties in the mix.
Another side of the event will be a fundraising auction to raise money for Wanganui Riding for the Disabled, with local businesses putting up prizes, including a round of golf for four at the Formosa Golf Resort in the Auckland suburb of Beachlands, valued at more than $2000.