Masala-linked properties sell for millions at auction

A property in Stanmore Bay was one of three linked to Masala which sold at auction today. Photo / Supplied

Three properties linked to the embattled Masala restaurant group have been sold for a combined $7.88 million.

The properties were among 34 sites with links to Auckland's Masala Indian restaurant chain that were frozen by police during an investigation for alleged tax evasion and immigration-related offending.

Earlier this year, the owners of the properties reached a settlement with authorities and agreed to forfeit $8m to the Crown.

The settlement sum was to be paid through the sale of the frozen properties.

Three of the properties on ice - one in Mt Eden, another in Birkenhead and a third in Stanmore Bay - went under the hammer today at a Bayleys auction.

A spokesman for Bayleys said the Mt Eden property, a villa with the ground floor trading as The Indian Lounge, sold for $3.61m.

The Birkenhead property, another villa that was trading as Chutney Mary Fusion and is in the Highbury Town Centre, sold for $2.54m.

The Stanmore Bay property, at present used by Paprika Indian Restaurant, was sold for $1.73m.