Coffey adds $12k to coffers after fundraiser

The Blue Baths were packed for Saturday's campaign fundraiser. SUPPLIED

A night of glitz and glamour at the Blue Baths reined in big bucks for a local candidate's campaign fundraiser.

Rotorua Labour Candidate Tamati Coffey held his Big Red Fundraiser on Saturday night and said the event was a huge success.

"It was a brilliant night and we are really rapt with the outcome. It was awesome to see the community come out in support of us."

Mr Coffey said the event was sold out and although they hadn't done the final calculations, he said the night had raised more than $12,000. "It was pretty awesome to have so much support. That money is full profit and will go straight into funding the campaign."

Mr Coffey said there was a lot on offer during the auction and a "mass bidding war erupted" when it came to having dinner at his house.

"We didn't expect that at all. When we listed it, we thought maybe people would want it, maybe not, so when an outright bidding war started we were really excited.

"The listing sold for $1300 and in the end we decided to make it two separate dinners because it was so popular."

Mr Coffey said the Blue Baths was the perfect venue to hold the event. "The Blue Baths is a really amazing venue and it is important to show it off to people who come into Rotorua."

Labour Party Leader David Cunliffe and his wife attended the fundraiser and Mr Coffey said they enjoyed the night's entertainment.

The Diamond Divas, finalists of New Zealand's Got Talent 2013, performed and Mr Coffey said they had everyone on the floor dancing before the end of their first song.

"They were absolutely spectacular like I knew they would be."

Mr Coffey and his team took the day off yesterday in celebration of the night's success but will be hitting the street again today.