Campaign to halt sale of Tongan palace

Photo / Martin Sykes

Campaigners are calling for a halt to the sale of the King of Tonga's Auckland palace, which they say belongs to the Tongan government and should not be on the market.

Tenders for the 1.6 hectare property in St Andrews Road, Epsom, close on October 28.

But a group of Tongans have taken out a caveat on the property, as they believe it does not belong to the royal family, and over 2000 people have signed a petition.

Auckland-based lawyer, Joel Fotu, says the caveat has been placed by an incorporated society.

"There are three Tongan lawyers, including myself, who think we should question the ownership issue," he said.

Mr Fotu said evidence showed the property was bought for the Tongan government.

Applications were made by the king in 1996 to the then-minister of finance for dispensation on the basis that the purchase was for the government of Tonga, he said.

But two years ago, Tongan prime minister Feleti Sevele told Parliament the property belonged to the king, and not the people of Tonga.

Dr Sevele believed the late Queen Salote had bought the property in 1952 with her own money, which was confirmed by the previous owners.

But Mr Fotu said Tongan taxpayers are paying the annual $28,000 bill for the upkeep.

The caveat on the sale was lodged so it can be delayed until Tonga's first democratic elections next month, he said.

"The Tongan people in Auckland really revere the place and they relate it to Queen Salote, who really loved the people of Tonga.

"Basically I think the king may have been given the wrong advice when he decided to do this. The prime minister says the government does not own the palace, it belongs to the king," Mr Fotu said.

"The king actually appoints the prime minister, so the accountability is down to the king. This election coming up will be the first time in the history of Tonga that people can elect candidates.

"So then they will be accountable to the people, so let's hope the king can properly establish his ownership," Mr Fotu said.

The property - Atalanga - is marketed by Bayleys, which lists it as a 1.6 hectare estate in a "park like setting".

The estate could be used for a prime residence or two, residential apartments, a retirement village or for a community group, Bayleys said.

Bayleys real estate agent Robert Platt told NZPA the sale was going ahead.

"Nothing has changed from our point of view. We haven't got involved with any of the media hype around the sale, so I don't wish to make any comment on it," he said.

Offers would not be taken until the date for tenders closes.

Bayleys has not included a price guide for the property, but it has a valuation of $8.9 million, which includes $6.8 million land value and $2.1 million for improvements on the site.

"It's up to people to determine the value based on where they see the opportunity for the land, and that would vary depending on the uses," Mr Platt said.

- NZPA