Applications have flooded in - even from Australia - for a chance to run Stanley's Hotel at Macraes in East Otago for free.
The registered historic place is without a proprietor and the Macraes Community Trust, with the help of the Otago Daily Times, put out a call for thenext publican.
Stanley's was given to the trust by Oceana Gold, which runs the country's largest gold mine nearby.
The trust was set up for community sustainability and an important part of that is keeping the hotel open.
Trust member Mat O'Connell said 23 official applications, including two from Australia, had been received by the closing date of noon yesterday.
"There's probably half a dozen that I know of with two to three kids."
He said there was the opportunity "to make some good money" for the right person.
About five or six applications would be shortlisted and it was hoped to have interviews completed by the end of the week and a new publican in place by the end of next month.
