Media release 14 Dec 06

Prime Minister & John Key Hot Favourites
Helen Clark and John Key popular bids in online charity auction

Prime Minister Helen Clark and the Leader of the Opposition, John Key are both being “auctioned” as part of the country’s biggest online auction this year, to help New Zealand children.

Bidders at Air New Zealand’s Christmas Charity Auction on award-winning site, zillion.co.nz are battling it out to win morning tea with the Prime Minister or lunch with John Key (among other things).

Peter Gensch, a German man now living in New Zealand, is hedging his bets by bidding on each of them.

“I’m a keen follower of New Zealand politics, and, coming from a country of 84 million citizens, I’m amazed at how approachable your politicians are. It would be unthinkable to have face-to-face time with German politicians like this, which is what made me go for these auctions on Zillion. I’d love the privilege to share a meal with either John or Helen up close and wanted to increase my chance of winning. Besides, it’s all for a good cause!” jokes Peter, who is currently leading the bidding on both auctions.

Other exclusive opportunities in the auction include:

- A flight simulator experience with Richie McCaw

- Having Air New Zealand CEO Rob Fyfe mow your lawns

- Driving rally cars with Hamish Carter and Sarah Ulmer

- Getting Huffer to design a one-off T-shirt for you

- A private performance from Spacifix

- Use of Air New Zealand’s corporate box for the Blues vs. Crusaders Rebel Sport Super 14 match

- Thousands of dollars worth of domestic and international air travel packages

With five days still to go on the auction (closes 7pm Tuesday 19 December), the money raised for children’s charities (Starship Foundation, Make-A-Wish New Zealand and StarJam) already exceeds $175,000.

Dylan Bland, Zillion co-Founder says he’s thrilled to be hosting this charity auction on behalf of Air New Zealand. “As a New Zealand-owned company we’re extremely proud to be able to support these worthy children’s charities, particularly at this time of year.”

Zillion won best new site at this year’s NetGuide Web Awards and is known as New Zealand’s smartest online marketplace, employing new technology that makes buying and selling faster and easier than ever before.

So if you’re feeling generous this Christmas and think your loved one might enjoy a face-to-face encounter with one of our leading politicians or perhaps you just fancy having someone special mow the lawns, visit www.zillion.co.nz to make a bid and try your luck.

ENDS

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