The Rugby World Cup may have some hotels hiking their prices in a mad dash for cash, but one Waiuku woman is determined to show visiting rugby fans the generous face of New Zealand. John Landrigan reports.
Even in the rain, Waiuku feels welcoming with its calm country bustle.
Leah Jameson calls
her home a menagerie. But she's willing to offer it, three young children with discarded toys and all, to Rugby World Cup supporters ... at mates' rates.
Incensed by hoteliers and landlords hiking accommodation prices for keen rugby fans, Mrs Jameson and her family have come up with a friendlier way to treat our overseas guests. Let them stay in her home for next to nothing. She calls the cost "mates' rates" but, in her case, it's free.
"The bloody hotels charging $10,000 a week are giving us a bad name," she fumes.
Nine-year-old Lily Jameson is also keen to show guests around her neck of the woods. "I don't really like rugby. I like meeting people and we can play board games and things."
The Waiuku mum has set up a Facebook page to share information about Kiwi homes that are available to rugby fans. There's a bit about local culture on it, too.
If it gets too big, the part-time graphic designer says others may want to help set up a separate website to ensure more potential visitors to this country benefit from "real Kiwi hospitality".
She got the idea when offers to accommodate stranded passengers after the volcano eruptions in Iceland were posted on Facebook.
"People were saying how hospitable New Zealanders were then. We thought, why not offer the same during the world cup?"
The mates' rates option, she says, is open to older people, those with children and those on lower incomes who visit New Zealand during the world cup.
"People can offer accommodation on their terms. Share expenses, travel costs, etcetera".
Mrs Jameson admits Waiuku may be a bit far out of town for some people but, if it means saving a couple of thousand dollars a night, it is a journey many would prefer.
She hopes people from all over Auckland - and the rest of New Zealand - will show off this country in the most welcoming and friendly manner.
New Zealand is expected to attract a huge number of visitors from the UK, Ireland, South Africa and Argentina.
"I'm always interested in showing off Kiwi culture. We've got an old rumpus room. We'll whip up a couple of beds."
For more info, see Facebook and key in: Free rugby world cup accommodation in New Zealand at mates' rates.
The Rugby World Cup may have some hotels hiking their prices in a mad dash for cash, but one Waiuku woman is determined to show visiting rugby fans the generous face of New Zealand. John Landrigan reports.
Even in the rain, Waiuku feels welcoming with its calm country bustle.
Leah Jameson calls
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