Whakatāne is the location of the latest property in the Heart Foundation Home Lottery.

The stunning new home, valued at $985,000, is fully furnished and ready to move in and is located on a north-facing site in the Shaw Road subdivision.

This is the first time in 32 years that the Heart Foundation has brought its prize home draw to Whakatāne, and the local response has been overwhelmingly positive.

Ticket sales in the lottery help the Heart Foundation in its life-saving mission to fight heart disease – the leading cause of death in New Zealand.  

The fully furnished home was built by Jennian Homes Whakatāne. The new franchise owners Gareth and Nikki Heatley, along with New Home Consultant Nicola Doherty, welcome you to view the home, Sunday to Thursday, from 10am-2pm.

“This started as one of our standard Catalina plans, but I modified it to suit the site,” said Ms Doherty.

“What you see now is a modified Catalina.”

At 170 square metres, the home sits on a 575sqm section and features three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a modern open-plan kitchen and dining area, separated from the lounge by a partial wall for a mix of openness and privacy.

“It took about five months to build; construction began late last year,” said Ms Doherty.

“We’ve had great feedback – everybody loves the house.”

The house comes fully furnished, including artwork, decor, and appliances, making it a true turnkey home for one lucky winner.

Ms Doherty worked closely with Jennifer King of Jennifer by Design for the house staging and furniture.

“My favourite aspect of the project was having the freedom to choose the design and products used throughout the home,” Ms Doherty said.

“Choosing furniture and accessories to achieve the desired look while staying within budget, was definitely a challenge, but a rewarding one.”

The paintwork was done using Resene products, and the exterior cladding combines Stria and Linea alongside cedar from James Hardie.

“We used all local trades for the construction,” Ms Doherty said, highlighting the community’s involvement in the build.

Jennian Homes has been building for the Heart Foundation for over 16 years – a relationship that’s resulted in more than 100 homes around the country.

“It’s just a great cause,” said Ms Doherty.

“Jennian Homes has had a long association with the Heart Foundation and it’s a partnership that’s worked really well – and will hopefully continue to do so.”

While one winner will walk away with the keys to a brand-new home, the real impact goes far beyond that.  

“We’ve been running the Home Lottery for 32 years, raising money for our life-saving work,” said Kevin Tregunno, direct fundraising group lead – Lottery for the Heart Foundation.

“This is just one of the programmes we have to raise these funds, and it’s been so successful that it’s now the biggest charity lottery in New Zealand.”

Since online ticket sales were permitted about five years ago, the lottery has grown in popularity.

“We raise a lot of money for our work, which includes funding heart research, awarding fellowships so Kiwi cardiologists can train overseas, and running community awareness and support programmes.”

This World Heart Day (September 29), the Heart Foundation announced $4.2 million in investment into life-saving heart research, bringing the total to more than $99 million since investment began.

More than 180,000 New Zealanders live with heart disease, with one Kiwi dying from heart disease every 90 minutes.

The Heart Foundation website says it “aims to stop family members from prematurely dying from heart disease and to help Kiwis living with heart disease live full and productive lives.”  

Aside from the Whakatāne home, ticket buyers are also in to win a $15,000 travel prize – with the choice of an eight-day tour of Tuscany or a custom holiday, a brand-new Toyota Hybrid, and a $7500 Prezzy card. Plus, early-buy ticket buyers go into a draw for an additional $10,000 prize.  

“Every winner has a story,” said Mr Tregunno.

“Almost everyone tells me they know someone affected by heart disease. I get to meet some amazing Kiwis. Every winner is deserving.”

Best of all, ticket proceeds go directly toward the Heart Foundation’s work.

“By buying a Home Lottery ticket or making a donation to the Heart Foundation, you’re part of a life-saving programme.”

The community have really come to the party,” said Mr Tregunno.

“There’s been great foot traffic through the open homes, and we’ve had so many new supporters from Whakatāne.”

With seven lotteries run every year, the Heart Foundation works on prize homes a couple of years in advance.

Tickets for lottery No. 158 are $15 each and ticket sales close on November 13. The draw takes place on November 20.

To buy tickets or learn more about the work of the Heart Foundation, visit www.heartfoundation.org.nz