- A West Auckland mother won $30,000, covering her mortgage for 12 months through The Hits-OneRoof radio competition.
- The couple have two young children and a substantial mortgage on their Te Atatū home.
- More than 250,000 calls showed how rising mortgage and living costs are straining households.
A West Auckland mum will be able to spend more time with her new baby now that she does not have to worry about her mortgage for the next 12 months.
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She’s still shaking almost a week after The Hits stars Jono, Ben and Megan knocked at her front door on a rainy Friday afternoon with the news that she had won $30,000 in OneRoof’s On The House contest with the radio station.
If Shinnae cannot quite believe her luck, her husband Ritchie is even more surprised: he didn't know they were in the draw, so busy are their lives looking after a three-month-old and a three-year-old.
“I didn’t actually think that I would win it,” Shinnae told OneRoof. “There are so many deserving families, you know; you almost get winner’s guilt, but I am just so lucky.”
The Hits’ Ben and Jono and Megan surprise Auckland mum Shinnae with a cheque for $30,000. Photo / Supplied
Shinnae with Jono, left, and Ben and Megan. Husband Ritchie didn’t even know the family had entered the On The House contest run by The Hits and OneRoof. Photo / Supplied
Shinnae said she couldn’t quite believe what was happening when The Hits gang turned up, complete with a camera operator, a giant, slightly damp cheque, bubbles, and flowers.
The team wisely abandoned ideas of making loud noises, so as not to frighten baby Isabel and her sister Evie.
Tears may have been shed by The Hits and OneRoof team.
Since Shinnae and Ritchie bought their neat three-bedroom house in 2021, they have not stood still. They have already updated the kitchen and bathroom, polished the floors and enhanced the garden, but Shinnae’s dreams recently turned to buying a family caravan.
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“I just said it would be amazing just to get a caravan one day and travel with our children and let them see our beautiful country. There are so many beautiful camping grounds,” she said.
“I think it would just be so nice to just be able to travel and not worry too much about spending. It will be pretty special, I think.”
Fortunately, Ritchie’s relatives are experienced campers, so there will be plenty of advice coming their way.
The couple are still getting used to what a year of not worrying about money might look like.
Like many first-home buyers who bought at the peak of the market, the couple have a hefty mortgage. One day they might move closer to Ritchie’s old North Shore stomping ground, but they love their neighbourhood, with its parks, walkway and a brand-new kids’ playground around the corner, plus good daycare.
“We found this cute little place in Te Atatū, and it was perfect for us at the time. Our family is growing, so it is starting to feel a little bit small,” she said, adding that her former home office is now the baby’s nursery. With the win, thinking about where she will do her work as a recruitment consultant is now further away, Shinnae said.
“At the moment we’re probably just going to sit on it for a little while. It is just nice to take the pressure off, you know,” she said.
“I was looking at all these free things to do while I’ve got Evie at home, and now I can take her to Kiwi Valley without worrying about the dollars or get that coffee in the morning for myself.
“It just makes such a difference in the lives of people, especially with the cost of living at the moment; it is just so hard.”
The Hits received over 250,000 calls from hopeful listeners over the competition period – over 10,000 calls per day. On the busiest day, nearly 40,000 callers tapped in, reflecting tough times as Kiwis juggle increasing costs, including mortgages, this year.
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