Applications have flooded in - even from Australia - for a chance to run Stanley's Hotel at Macraes in East Otago for free.
The registered historic place is without a proprietor and the Macraes Community Trust, with the help of the Otago Daily Times, put out a call for the next publican.
Stanley's was given to the trust by Oceana Gold, which runs the country's largest gold mine nearby.
The trust was set up for community sustainability and an important part of that is keeping the hotel open.
Trust member Mat O'Connell said 23 official applications, including two from Australia, had been received by the closing date of noon yesterday.