Bargains galore at posh street garage sale

Punters flock to the sale. Photo / Herald on Sunday

Who would have thought you'd see a garage sale on one of New Zealand's poshest streets?

But this was no ordinary garage sale on Auckland's swanky Paritai Drive yesterday.

Television personality Louise Wallace was running the sale at her parents' $4.7 million mansion and among the bargains was a baby grand piano - for $2500.

The garage sale was advertised as a "complete house clearance". Items included imported tableware, furniture, the baby grand, a telescope, ornaments, crystal and silverware, paintings, American costume jewellery and vintage clothing and hats.

"A veritable treasure trove from this quality address," the ad said.

Wallace said the sale had attracted plenty of people.

Eager bargain-hunters could pick over the family's goods in the house and enjoy the sweeping view over Waitemata Harbour.

Wallace is best known on television as host and former competitor in Celebrity Treasure Island.

From 2001 she was the quiz mistress on The Weakest Link. She more recently guest-starred on Shortland Street.

Four years ago she was embroiled in a family feud as her cousins made a high court bid for the family's millions.

Wallace's cousins, Richard and Geoffrey Cain, tried to sue Wallace's family company DR Hooper Ltd for $2 million but the case was thrown out.

Wallace and her sister Rosamond Torrance are directors of the company, which was put into voluntary liquidation last year with assets worth $14.4 million.

Two other companies the sisters are directors of have assets of $9.9 million.