$1 tractor auction (with free farm) hits $230K

The great tractor auction has now hit $230,000.

Gore-based couple Shelley and Allan Holland put their old red tractor up for sale on auction website Trade Me, with a $1 reserve - with an 8.1 hectare farm in the Catlins, valued at $260,000, thrown in for free.

Bidding took off after the auction gained media attention, climbing from $100,000 on Friday morning.

Joint owner Shelly Holland, who has spent the weekend replying to a barrage of questions on the auction, said the unorthodox sale was her husband Allan's idea.

She said the couple arrived home from being away on Thursday night and were tired.

"When I went to bed we'd put the place on the market for $1."

It was the most "stupid, idiotic, dumbfounded thing I have ever encountered", she said.

She was not sure how it had all happened. "It's got a bit out of control really."

The couple have not decided what to do after the tractor and property sold but they would really like to travel, Mrs Holland said.

It all depended on how much they got, she said.

The auction closes next Sunday.

- NZPA