Hundreds apply for fixed-price homes at Wainuiomata housing initiative

PHOTO: An artist’s impression of the Koru Homes housing development in Wainuiomata. Photo: Supplied

Hopeful first-home buyers had their applications for a new housing development decided by ping pong balls inside of a vase.

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