Hart farms sold, owed bank $30m

Barry Hart. Photo / NZ Herald

The 40HA estate of embattled lawyer Barry Hart has been sold from under his feet.

The seven properties, stretching from the west Auckland town of Waimauku to Woodhill Forest and to the west coast, were valued at around $26 million. They were sold by Bayleys real estate this week to a mystery buyer.

Hart owed $30 million to ANZ and the debt was accruing $200,000 monthly interest.

Now the bank has completed the sale of his family properties, including the Woodhill Stud.

Hart had built up a big property empire.

Over the years he was seen flying his helicopter around the properties. There was a racetrack where thoroughbred horses were put through their paces, and livestock on other parts of the property, but in recent years the animals were removed.

The sale caps a tough month for the barrister. Earlier this week he was scolded by a judge for showing "contempt to his professional responsibilities" by not fronting up to his own disciplinary hearing.

Hart declined to comment.