Gilmours Hamilton auctions off giant Marmite

Hamilton food and beverage wholesaler Gilmours is auctioning off a giant 25 kilogram bucket of Marmite for charity to help avert New Zealand's marmite shortage, which has been affectionately dubbed 'Marmageddon'.

Stocks of the foodstuff are running low after Sanitarium, the manufacturer of Marmite was forced to suspend production after earthquake damage at its Christchurch factory.

Gilmours decided to auction off the giant pail on TradeMe after a lunchroom discussion on the shortage revealed they had a large 25 kilogram bucket in the storeroom.

"We were sitting around the staffroom table, having a bit of a laugh about the Marmite on Trade Me, and I made the comment "pity we didn't have any" some one said, we've got that big bucket of it downstairs, my wife said why not do it for charity. Before I knew it one of the guys got it, cleaned it up for the photo," the organiser of the auction explained on TradeMe.

The TradeMe post says that the auction is for a 175gm Jar of genuine NZ Marmite and comes with a 25kg pail of Marmite, "so that you can refill your prized purchase in the comfort of your own home."

Gilmours Hamilton says it plans to donate the profit from the auction to a charity chosen by the winning bidder.

Bids have reached over $300 and received a resounding thumbs up from bidders.

Pancakesrus said "Hats of to Gilmours Hamilton. Great to see a fine Company in our town doing something they didnt have to do. Top marks to you all."

"It's heart warming to see a group of people do something this thoughtful for others. Good for you and I hope the auction price soars to great heights!!" Lady_duchess said.

Poster Malamac added "Nice to see big business has a heart!!!!! Good on ya, and hope it goes to a good, um, tummy!"