The ex-Tauranga woman who owns the company that manufactured Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker's parka is hoping the famous orange and black jacket will fetch a good price at auction.

The jacket made famous by its daily appearances across national and international media during mayoral comment in the aftermath of the quake is being auctioned as a fundraiser for the Christchurch relief effort.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker sporting his 'turbo' jacket. Picture: CTV.

Jane Ellis and husband Dave own Christchurch based company Earth Sea Sky, which makes clothing for Antarctic New Zealand, and this jacket is from this stock.

Bob has worn the jacket during the fallout period of both the September 4 and February 22 earthquakes after being given it for a visit to Antarctica.

The idea to auction the jacket for the relief effort was spurred by a Facebook page called ‘Bob Parker's parka'.

When Jane realised the page had over 5000 fans, she decided to put a replica of the jacket up for auction on TradeMe to raise money for the Christchurch Relief Fund.

She initially suggested to Bob that his jacket be auctioned, but he decided it had too much sentimental value.

'He reflected on it and it's a really important jacket to him,” says Jane.

'It's been down to the South Pole and it's been through two earthquakes.”

Bob's parka, called an Antarctic New Zealand turbo jacket, is only one of two that were allowed to leave Antarctica.

The jackets are kept there for people visiting the ice, but must be returned.

John Key owns the other orange and black turbo that was allowed to leave the continent.

'You can't just walk into a store and buy these – they are very unique,” says Jane.

Jane grew up in Tauranga, attending Otumoetai College.

She lived on a farm near Cambridge Road. Her father now lives on a farm in Whakamarama.

After seeing a large rock that smashed into a Christchurch property sell for $60,050 on TradeMe, she is hoping to raise $10,000 from the parka auction.

It will be signed by Mayor Bob Parker and he will present it to the successful bidder if they come to Christchurch to collect it.

View the TradeMe auction here: www.trademe.co.nz/Clothing/Menswear/Other/