Abandoned Christchurch home sells for more than $1m after bidding war

Wednesday, 17 June 2026

An abandoned Christchurch hillside home that sat empty for more than a decade has sold for more than $1 million at auction, and the fact it couldn't be subdivided may have been what drove the price so high.

The property on Worsleys Rd in Cracroft sold for $1.005m after an auction that drew 10 registered bidders and 50 bids.

The home attracted widespread attention in the lead-up to the auction due to its condition. Windows throughout the two-storey house were either broken or boarded up, graffiti covered parts of the exterior, and weeds had overtaken sections of the deck.

Despite this, Harcourts listing agent Matthew Loose said the location and section size made it a rare offering.

“It was a really good location with great views and good access for a hillside property,” he said.

“Section sizes of over 4000 square metres are quite hard to find so close to town.”

Loose said he was surprised by the final sale price.

“I don't think anyone expected that result on the day, but we had a good number of registered bidders and competition just brought out a premium price. Power to the auction.”

Although bidding opened at $450,000 and the property had been expected by some to sell for little more than its land value of $580,000, the hammer didn't fall until $1.005m — still below its rateable value of$1.23m.

Despite sitting on a 4220sqm section, the property cannot be subdivided, a detail that shaped who showed up to bid.

“Developers weren't looking at it. There were people that wanted a nice, quiet site for themselves,” Loose said.

“I think the fact it couldn't be subdivided was almost a bonus.”

Loose conducted more than 30 private viewings because of the property's condition and had interest from as far away as Auckland and Wānaka. The successful buyer is a Christchurch local who intends to renovate the home.

“It'll be a pretty big job, but they've looked into it and think they can do it, which is really cool,” Loose said.

It is news that was warmly received by the former owner’s family, who had hoped the house might be saved rather than demolished.

“The former family that owned it were delighted to hear the buyer might be looking to repair it,’ he said.

The home had been owned by the same person since the 1970s and is believed to have been vacant for more than 10 years after its owner moved into retirement care following the Christchurch earthquakes, making this the last remaining asset of the estate to be sold.

Loose said the result also reflected broader confidence in Christchurch and the wider Canterbury economy.

“We are a really liveable city and still affordable compared to some of the other major centres around New Zealand. The unemployment rate is lower than the nationwide rate and that gives buyers confidence that this is the place to be.”