TEMPIO PAUSANIA - The island of Budelli has now become private property. The court of Tempio Pausania has stated that the auction bid of New Zealand magnate, Michael Harte, was valid, despite opposition from authorities. He now must pay 2 million and 945 thousand euros for the purchase of the island.

  This story has dragged on since 2013, when the island was originally put on sale, after the Swiss real estate company that had owned the island off the coast of Sardinia went bankrupt. There was a breakthrough, however, in April, when the State Council reinstated tighter constraints on the private island of Budelli, and disputed with the New Zealand tycoon. 

  The president of the Park of Maddalena, which is on the island and has been denied a protection plan, Bonanno, did not accept the verdict. “Today an injustice has been done to the island of Budelli. We do not want to abandon this battle.”

  The president of UNIDOS (United Nations International Development Organisation), Mauro Pili has said "The government must bring an immediate decree and seize the island for the interest of the public. If it does not, it would be complicit in this new crime against Sardinia and Sardinians. And all this happens right after the Governing Council of the Park decided by a majority to lower the level of protection of the island.”

  Within two months, Harte will settle the cost for the island, which will be his fourth private paradise. He has three other islands in New Zealand.