NZ couple's resort seized in Fiji dispute

A New Zealand couple are taking court action against a Fiji bank after their resort was seized by the military over a mortgage dispute.

The Lagoon Resort at Pacific Harbour, west of Suva, was taken over by freelance military company Homelink Security on May 7 under orders from the government-controlled Fiji Development Bank (FDB), news website stuff.co.nz reported.

The resort's owners, Jim and Heather Sherlock, of Hamilton, were attempting to fight the occupation in court but were unable to leave the hotel together.

"Sometimes we feel like a prisoner here, it is very stressful," Mr Sherlock told the website.

"It has killed the business stone dead."

Mr Sherlock said the FDB had not foreclosed on their mortgage so he did not know why the resort was seized.

His wife had become ill as result of the occupation, he said.

The couple would tomorrow apply for an injunction against FDB in the Suva Court.

- NZPA