Yesterday morning, Bayleys auctioned off "The Hope Home" at Hanley’s Farm near Queenstown for $1.69million.
A passion project for Fowler Homes New Zealand managing director Jason McGirr and his wife and business partner, Jen, both of Queenstown, all of the profit from the sale is being given to Mike King’s I Am Hope Foundation.
Mr King said the purchaser, a Queenstown resident, also happened to be the first person in the country to sign up to the foundation’s KiwiSaver.
"So for her to buy the house as well, it was beyond words.
Mr McGirr, a former police officer who in that role frequently dealt with mental health and its repercussions, said the project was inspired after he heard Mr King on radio about 18 months ago, asking for help.
"It really struck a chord with us."
The couple came up with a plan to build the three-bedroom house, which has a detached two-bedroom unit, for as close to cost as possible, auction it off, and send all the profits to I Am Hope.
Mr King said it was "an incredible gesture from an incredible man".
Mr McGirr said the hardest aspect — until 11am yesterday — was asking for support from the construction industry at a time when every supplier was struggling through a recession.
Ultimately, more than 50 suppliers and trades jumped on board, some donated products or services, others provided discounts and some who weren’t in a position to help in that way worked on the house instead.
