100 tradies build house pro-bono, with auction proceeds to benefit Orewa surf Life Saving club

About 100 Auckland tradies have chipped in to build a house pro-bono, with proceeds from the house’s auction to benefit the local surf club.

The Ōrewa Surf Lifesaving Club in north Auckland is planning a new community hub to replace their current beach front facility, which building chairperson John Chapman said was “completely and utterly shot” due to the harsh sea environment.

“Surf club buildings wear out really quickly and the cost of maintaining them is horrific.”

To help fund the $9 million project, the club approached long time sponsor GJ Gardner Rodney East franchise owners Ross and Elaine Morley with a bold idea - a charity house to be built and sold, benefiting the club.

“They jumped at the chance, we were blown away,” Chapman said.

Ross Morley told Stuff about 100 contractors and suppliers “worked their guts out” to build the three-bedroom property on Spars Rd, in the up-and-coming suburb of Milldale, on the outskirts of Ōrewa.

Their generosity meant the house was built at “virtually no cost”, which he said highlighted the good relationship between local tradies and the tight-knit Ōrewa community.

“We got everyone on board for no cost and it was such a testament to the community.”

The house will be auctioned, pro-bono by Bayleys Hibiscus Coast on November 30.

Morley hoped to hand the surf club a check for “well over” $500k, once the cost of the land (sold to GJ Gardner at a reduced price) is covered.

Morley said he took on the project as a long-time believer in the surf lifesaving club’s mission. Additionally, many of his staff were involved in the club, and his daughter had been a surf lifesaver.

“We’re supporters of anything that gets kids off screens and out doing stuff. It’s a pretty healthy sport to get into.”

He added that the club’s new facility would make a real difference to the community.

“It’s not just a surf club building, this is going to be a community hub.”

Chapman said the club was grateful to the Morleys and all involved in building the house.

“I’m flabbergasted and stunned by the level of support that has been shown by the tradies and suppliers that GJ’s have brought to the project.”

The new hub will be built behind the current building, which once demolished, will open up the beach front reserve for the community to enjoy.

It will include a medical room for treating anyone hurt on the beach (currently injured people are triaged on a concrete boat ramp), storage for rescue vehicles and equipment and facilities to look after lifeguards and volunteers.

“If you don’t have somewhere for members to have a hot shower and get out of the rain, they won’t come and volunteer,” Chapman said.

It will also have space dedicated to youth development, function and conference rooms available for community use and a family restaurant overlooking the sea.

The project had also received $2m grants from Auckland Council and the Government.

16 November 2024, Stuff