New Zealand brothel holds open day
Visitors will be given a guided tour and 'light refreshments' during the brothel's open day event (Representational image) Michael Hanschke/Reuters

A brothel in New Zealand is hosting an "open day" in order to raise funds for a children's charity, raising eyebrows. The Shh... Adult Fun Spot's offer in the town of Hawera has attracted sharp criticism from a family watchdog as well.

The funds raised through the event will be sent to Kai Kitchen, which feeds up to 40 hungry school-going children in South Taranaki district located in New Zealand's west coast. During the day-long event on 12 March, visitors will be given a tour of the business and will also be answered if they have any questions about the job. The open day is allowed for adults only.

The owner of the legally-run business said "light refreshments" will also be served in return for a gold coin donation. Nicky Hughes, the proprietor of the brothel, said: "[It's an] awesome cause, feeds our children, no discrimination, no judgment and the kids are able to have a lunch. This industry gets a bit of bad rap and we want to open up to the public to show what it is we really do." Hughes is also a committee member of Kai Kitchen.

Hughes added she does not know how many people would turn up for the event. Three of the staff members will be available on the day to give guided tours and for the question-and-answer sessions.

The children's charity said they do not bother about where the money comes from. "This is how I look at it. I'm really open-minded and the work we do, we don't judge people. If somebody needs help we just help them and in return I would expect people to do the same for us," said Rochelle Steer, the founder of Kai Kitchen, according to the Taranaki Daily News.

But not all have welcomed the initiative. Family First New Zealand, a conservative Christian group and a family watchdog, said this is a cheap promotion tactic adopted by the brothel. The watchdog's national director Bob McCroskie said: "This is simply a cynical attempt by the sex industry to try and normalise a business by having an 'open home'."

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