Kāinga Ora has sold its most valuable state house at auction for $3.4 million.
The four-bedroom villa at 18 Trinity Street sits on the edge of Ponsonby and Herne Bay, two of Auckland's richest suburbs, is on a 619 square metre section and has a ratings valuation of $3.15 million.
It is 102 years old and has required frequent repairs.
The Ponsonby villa known as NZ's 'most expensive state house' sold for $3.4m at auction. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
A bidding war brought the price up to $3.223 million, just above its ratings valuation.
That was followed with an hour-long negotiation, with the winner finally increasing their offer to $3.4 million.
Kāinga Ora chief executive Matt Crockett said the sale would be used to fund maintenance and new housing.
The tenant had already been moved to a new home, he said.
The Ponsonby villa known as NZ's 'most expensive state house' sold for $3.4m at auction. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Anita Jones, who had been living in the house, told RNZ in April the neighbourhood had been a good place to bring up her four children, two of whom have since left home.
"I feel privileged being in it. It's very peaceful, I can say that, there's no drama. It's pretty safe I can say, really safe around here."
Shortly after Jones moved into the house in 2016, she learned Lorde had bought the house next door - the pop star sold the luxury villa for $4.3m last year.
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