Warwick's Story...

"It all began with a rather random conversation over dinner one evening in December 2009. A close friend was telling me about a website she had stumbled across and the odds of winning "a piece of NZ" for $25. I was intrigued enough to ask her to send me the website.

So on Monday 14/12/2009 I attempted to buy the photos which enabled me to go into the draw for the house - three times - each time it refused my credit card which was very frustrating. I tried again the next day and again my credit card was refused.

I was going to give up but was talking to the same friend and told her what had happened. She thought that they were probably having problems with the website re. credit cards, so suggested I give it a few days then try again - which I did and was successful.

(Coincidentally, I am familiar with the Cambridge and Karapiro area as our family farm was nearby and also I competed in secondary schools rowing competitions which were held on Lake Karapiro)

I immediately forgot all about entering until Waitangi Day when I was out to dinner with the same friend and two others. It was mentioned that the house draw had taken place the prior evening on TVNZ Close Up (which I did not see) and the winner would be announced on the Monday evening programme. I said that was strange because I received an email from Michelle on Friday asking me for my address and phone numbers for their data base - which readily I gave and thought nothing more of it.

All my friends at the dinner looked at me incredulously and said that I must ahve won. I just laughed it off, but on Sunday 7/2/10 the same friend and I were walking our dogs and I said that just in case I had won, I would come to her place on Monday evening about 5:30pm with a bottle of wine - so as to avoid Mark Sainsbury and his team.

So much for well laid plans! Mark Sainsbury arrived on my doorstep on Monday 8/2/10 at 7am!!

My flatmate was having his breakfast and answered the door. As soon as I heard him say "OMG!" I knew who it was and that what had been a nice thought until then just might become reality. I froze. I didn't know what to do, but I knew I didn't want cameras in my face. Who is bubbly and happy at 7am on a Monday morning??? Especially a very private accountant!

So, I initially blurted out "I don't want to know!" before trying to recover, thanking him for letting me know, but requesting not to be on TV. He asked if Murray and Michelle could come in. I happily agreed and we had a wonderful two-hour chat.

Afterwards my head was spinning, so I rang a friend who lived nearby, to see if he wanted to meet for a coffee. About 10-15 minutes after I returned home I realised that I had left my dog at the coffee bar!! I frantically ran back down the road - and found Freddie sitting under the table waiting patiently for my return.

I know that I am very lucky and am very fortunate to have won the house and it has made a significant difference to my life for which I am also very grateful. It has been wonderful to receive so many kind thoughts and good wishes from so many friends and acquaintances both past and present.

Murray and Michelle have been wonderful and great to deal with. We have kept in touch and I have been very happy to let them continue to live in the house until it is sold at auction on Sunday 18 July 2010, and beyond that until mid-September which is the proposed settlement date."

Close Up and Personal...

Warwick with the Close Up team at the Million Dollar Home... click HERE

See Warwick at the Million Dollar Home from TVNZ Close Up HERE