Vet Wins by a Whisker

Vet Wins by a Whisker

Auckland, 29 October: There were emotional scenes as Hamilton veterinarian and mother of three Kara Dawson was declared New Zealand’s Bargain Champion today, winning top prize of a $50,000 year-long spending spree at The Warehouse.

The judges were unanimous in declaring this modest mum the winner, describing her as “utterly sensible” and someone who “knows how to get value out of everything without being stingy.” The judging panel observed that Kara had managed to give her family everything they could want despite living on a tight budget.

After a three month competition process which attracted 15,000 top money and lifestyle tips from 5,000 entrants nationwide, The Warehouse Chief Executive Ian Morrice and founder Stephen Tindall today presented Kara with The Warehouse Red Card – her key to a year’s worth of shopping pleasure.

Kara, who was surrounded by four generations of her family, was overwhelmed with emotion at winning. She accepted the prize through tears of joy saying she had never before had so much as $1,000 to spend, so $50,000 worth of spending power was hard to take in.

In line with her modest style her immediate reaction was “charity first.” Kara has pledged to give the first 10 percent of her win to charity. “To me that’s what The Warehouse has always been about, it’s always supported charities and I want to do the same.”

After that, Kara says she will splash out on some well deserved treats for her children – two sons aged 11 and nine and a three year old girl. Kara says her husband would like some new clothes and she hasn’t bought any new clothes for herself for about four years so would like to update her own wardrobe.

Kara teamed up with her mum at The Warehouse in Albany this morning to compete against four other national finalists and their partners to battle it out in a shopping challenge. In the afternoon they took part in a series of interviews with
The Bargain Champion judges: Mary Lambie - former host of TV show Money Doctor; Sophie Gray - the Destitute Gourmet; Stephen Tindall – founder of The Warehouse; and Raewyn Fox from the NZ Federation of Family Budgeting Services Inc.

The judges were impressed with Kara’s winning budgeting and lifestyle philosophy which includes:

- Living on less than they earn

- Buying essentials before luxuries

- Never buying on credit

- Producing as much food of their own food as possible

The Warehouse Chief Executive Ian Morrice says, “The search for New Zealand’s Bargain Champion is the biggest competition in the company’s history and we’re delighted with the way our customers entered into the spirit by sending us their best tips for saving money and living well.”

“We congratulate Kara and thank the four runners-up who have each won a $5,000 shopping spree at The Warehouse.” The Bargain Champion Runners-Up were Dianne Davidson from Auckland; David Graham from Te Awamutu; Leanne Brooks from Christchurch; and Moana Kerr from Hokitika.

Mr Morrice says “The Warehouse also thanks New Zealanders for sharing their savvy shopping and lifestyle tips. It proves what we’ve always known – our customers are smart and they understand that The Warehouse is, and always will be, the place where everyone gets a bargain.”

ENDS

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