Hopeful first-home buyers had their applications for a new housing development decided by ping pong balls inside of a vase.
An artist's impression of the Koru Homes housing development in Wainuiomata. Photo: Supplied
Today a ballot draw was hosted at the Wainuiomata community centre to allocate new-build homes to first-time buyers.
Koru Homes, a housing initiative with a new complex being built in October, had 11 lots available with a fixed rate of $650,000.
It is the first privately run housing development to offer fixed rates for first-home buyers.
About 300 initial applications were made for the lots, but by today it had been whittled down to 70.
Wainuiomata local and Koru Homes owner and developer Adrian Chooi said drawing applicants at random ensured the process was as fair as can be given the fixed price and first-home buyer status.
Nicola Adams found out she was one of the lucky ones over the phone after the draw.
"I'd just started my lunch break at work, I couldn't contain my excitement in the staff room," she said.
She and her partner had been trying to buy a house for a while now, and said it had been tough.
Koru Homes housing initiative chose which first-home buyers would qualify for the fixed rate houses with a vase and some ping pong balls. Photo: RNZ / Kirsty Frame
The Wainuiomata development will build 51 homes, 30 of which have been sold privately at the fixed rate to first time buyers already.
Today 11 sold and the remaining 10 homes will be up for tender.
The 10 additional sales are expected to cover cost escalation between now and completion, so that the first-home buyers do not foot the bill.
Chooi said the development's popularity was bittersweet.
"We know that there [were] applicants, but we didn't expect that many. I was thinking 'today there will be tears of joy, and tears of sadness'."
Chooi said he received a lot of inquiries from investors and politely turned them away.
The project, which Chooi said was one of several, had collaborated with local businesses to make the development a reality.
Anania Randall is the listing agent for the project, and co-ordinator with mana whenua as part of Te Ati Awa business collective, Wai-Worx.
Randall said there had been a great deal of collaboration for this project.
"It's started from the community, at a community level - not so much from a top down. We've spent quite a lot of time over the last three years to get to this point," he said.
Wai-Worx members will work with local listing agent CK&CO Realty to sell the houses and provide civil works, drainage, earthworks, and cultural development services.
Local apprentices are also being brought in to complete the work through WelTec.
Building will commence in October 2021 for the complex.
