Twenty years ago, the Property Brokers Hawke’s Bay Charity Auction was little more than an idea and a willingness to give back. Held in the carpark of Property Brokers’ old Hastings office, a converted house at the time, nobody could have predicted what that small community gathering would become.
Fast forward two decades, and the event has grown into one of Hawke’s Bay’s most anticipated fundraising evenings, bringing together businesses, families, sponsors and supporters united by a common goal - helping local people.
This year’s auction marked a significant milestone, celebrating its 20th anniversary while raising an incredible $84,850 for three organisations that make a real difference across the region: the Hawke’s Bay Rescue Helicopter Trust, the Cancer Society, and the Property Brokers Make a Difference Community Fund.
Held at Toitoi Hawke’s Bay Arts and Events Centre on 12 June, the evening was a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when a community comes together.
From the moment guests arrived, there was an unmistakable sense of excitement and purpose in the room. Auctioneers Guy Mordaunt and Joe Snee kept the crowd entertained throughout the night, driving spirited bidding across a diverse range of auction items generously donated by local businesses and supporters.
The auction catalogue featured everything from unique experiences and original artworks to sporting memorabilia and luxury getaways.
Several items attracted fierce competition. An exclusive invitation-only trip to The Lazy Fish in Queen Charlotte Sounds achieved an impressive $11,000. A John Deere Kids Electric Gator sold for $3,500, while a signed and framed Bledisloe Cup memorabilia set fetched $3,300.
Yet while the auction results were remarkable, the true success of the evening could not be measured solely in dollars.
The overwhelming sense of generosity, connection and community spirit was what made the event so special.
Property Brokers Regional Manager for Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne, Joe Snee, says reaching the 20-year milestone was an emotional moment.
"This one is special. Twenty years. When I think about where this auction started and what it’s become, it genuinely fills me with pride – pride in our team, pride in this community, and pride in what we’ve been able to do together.
"$84,850 is going to make a real difference to real people in Hawke’s Bay, and that’s why we do this. That’s always been why we do this."
Property Brokers Managing Director Guy Mordaunt has witnessed the event’s journey from the very beginning and says the original purpose remains unchanged.
"We started it because we believed in giving back to the communities that have given so much to us. Twenty years on, that belief hasn’t changed one bit.
"What makes me proudest isn’t the money – although $84,850 is pretty hard to argue with – it’s the people. Our team, our sponsors, and every single person who walked through that door and put their hand up. That’s the Property Brokers family right there."
Over the past two decades, the Hawke’s Bay Charity Auction has raised close to $1 million for local causes.
Those funds have helped keep rescue helicopters in the air when every second counts. They have supported individuals and families navigating cancer diagnoses and treatment. They have also enabled the Property Brokers Make a Difference Community Fund to provide practical assistance to people and organisations facing hardship or pursuing projects that strengthen local communities.
Behind every dollar raised is a story. A life touched. A family supported. A community made stronger. That enduring impact is why the event continues to resonate so deeply with everyone involved.
It is also why Property Brokers remains committed to supporting the communities it serves. As a proudly provincial New Zealand business, Property Brokers has always believed that success is about more than property transactions. It is about investing in the places people call home and helping communities thrive.
The continued success of the Hawke’s Bay Charity Auction would not be possible without the generosity of donors, sponsors, bidders and volunteers who return year after year to support the cause.
Together, they have transformed a modest fundraising event in a Hastings carpark into a community institution that continues to make a lasting difference.
Twenty years on, the spirit that started it all remains exactly the same. And if this year’s result is anything to go by, the future looks just as bright as the past.
