Charity House Success Continues

The success of the Toi Ohomai Charity House project continues as the latest house is sold. 

The house, which was built by carpentry students in 2022, was recently sold for $309,000.

Final costs are still being tallied and the surplus from the house sale will be donated to deserving organisations or charities. 

The Charity House project, which has been running since 2013, sees Toi Ohomai carpentry students build a home with support from industry partners. Professionals McDowell Real Estate has been on board since the project’s inception, using their expertise to market and sell the property, and Toi Ohomai has worked with Rotary Rotorua Sunrise Charitable Trust to distribute the profits from the sale to deserving causes. 

Toi Ohomai Faculty Dean Primary Industries, Trades and Infrastructure Brian Dillon says that while the house itself is an outcome of the carpentry programme, it’s much more than just a house, and the students are part of the kaupapa of the initiative. 

“They get a real sense of purpose from being involved in the build and get to appreciate the entire build process.” 

Many of these students will go on to gain apprenticeships and become trade qualified, this project gives them great foundations for their chosen careers, and also an appreciation for the organisations that benefit from the money made from the sale.

“It’s great that we have been able to deliver this project for the past 10 years. It is something we are immensely proud of.” 

Work has already begun on the next Charity House build.