Lorde's painted gnome goes up for auction

Some of the gnomes up for auction to raise costs for a new kitchen facility for the Devonport community garden centre.

Lorde has a new talent to add to her resume - gnome painting.

On her recent visit home the singing sensation took the time to paint a gnome royal blue to raise money for her local community garden centre in Devonport.

It is being auctioned to raise $1600 for the cost of the centre's new kitchen facility.

Volunteer, Charlotte Smith, says the centre desperately needed money and had to think beyond the sausage sizzles and baking sales they had relied on so far.

It was her idea to ask Devonport celebrities to contribute something to the community. As well as Lorde, other gnome artists include: Pippa Wetzell, Tim Finn, Paul Ego, Bob Campbell, Jacko Gill, Mike Cohen and Roger Giles.

"I've been blown away that they all wanted to do it. Everybody got really creative, these are very busy people that gave up their time to do quite a random challenge."

She was inspired by the Chelsea Flower Show which lifted its ban on garden gnomes this year and a similar initiative was held where celebrities decorated gnomes to raise money for charity.

The kitchen centre is being used by a school holiday programme, where their tomatoes, lettuce, beetroot and strawberries are put to use.

Community cooking lessons also take place in the kitchen.

Ms Smith has been involved with the garden for five years and says it's an important place for the community to come together.

"You come here for two hours and get totally absorbed in the garden, it's very therapeutic."

To donate to Lorde's gnome visit the auction on Trade Me here.