Second house goes up for city charity project

PARTNERSHIP: Kevin Uncles (Waiariki Dean of the Faculty of Applied Technology and Primary Industries), Mike Fogarty (Programme Area Lead Carpentry and Electrical) and Peter Breen (general manager of PlaceMakers Rotorua). PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Rotorua's Charity House Project, aiming to build five houses over five years to raise funds for local charities, is proving every bit as successful as hoped - with construction of the second house well under way.

The first house, built by Waiariki Institute of Technology students, was auctioned in December raising $14,716 for Menz Shed, Western Heights Primary School's oral language programme, Linton Park Community Centre, Rotorua Youth Centre and Big Brother, Big Sister Rotorua.

Designed by John Chittenden Design, this year's house is smaller, has a different floor-plan and is more eco-friendly and sustainable than the previous build.

Certificate of Pre-trade Carpentry students began building the three-bedroomed 120sq m timber-clad house in March and are due to complete it by October.

Interior design students are responsible for the interior and exterior colour palette, flooring choices, and kitchen designs. It is likely business management students will be given Charity House assignments as part of their course work.

Sue Gunn, Waiariki's marketing and communications manager, directorate student and staff support services, said they began looking at the concept in late 2011 and decided to take the lead role in the community partnership as it offered carpentry and interior design students a true hands-on experience.

"It's a great way to engage with students. Not only is it a hands-on experience that they respond well to, but by building the house at PlaceMakers it exposes these students to prospective trade employers.

"All our Certificate in Pre-trade Carpentry students got holiday jobs plus employment at the end of their year-long course due to that exposure last year."

Once the go ahead was given, Waiariki's marketing department swung into action to gather support for the project - getting local businesses to sign up to support the project for five years.

It also got support from Rotorua District Council and Rotorua Chamber of Commerce.

Waiariki chose to partner with the Rotary Club of Rotorua Sunrise to utilise the club's existing charitable networks.

The club set up a designated trust to administer the proceeds of the house auctions and select worthy recipients that meet funding criteria.