Hotel Du Vin bidders well schooled

Dilworth School plans to open a rural campus next year in the former hotel building. Photo / Supplied

The venue used to be a favourite haunt for lovestruck Auckland couples to celebrate their nuptials.

But Hotel Du Vin's descent from boutique retreat to op-shop was marked yesterday with the words "going ... going ... gone".

The contents of the luxury hotel and spa south of Auckland went under the hammer at Turners Auctions and bargain hunters snapped up everything from fluffy slippers to floorboards.

One lucky buyer bought 384 disposable undies, used during spray tanning, for just $2. A 25-inch television sold for $25, and entertainment systems, mountain bikes and bathroom vanities were also snapped up.

Art collectors were lured by a range of high-end art and sculpture, including a package of three Buddhas, two Greek-style female statues and five wooden carvings.

Diane Browne, who worked at the hotel for 22 years as an activities co-ordinator, collected a digital safe for $35.

"It was such a nice place to work. I have so many good memories. I had to come down and see if I could take anything home," she said.

Dilworth School bought the property - contents included - for an undisclosed amount last year. It plans to open a rural campus next year.

School trustee Derek Firth was pleased with the amount raised. "We had no idea what we were going to get. We had no particular expectations at all," he said.

Turners refused to say the exact amount raised, although it was believed to be more than $30,000.

The 15ha property in Mangatawhiri has 48 chalets and a vineyard. It was bought by American Ed Aster and his wife in 2001 on a visit to New Zealand for $8 million, even though it was valued at just $4.57m.