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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/24/crowdfunding-campaign-buys-pristine-new-zealand-beach-for-the-public

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Crowdfunding campaign buys pristine New Zealand beach for the public Crowdfunding campaign buys pristine New Zealand beach for the public
(6 months later)
A crowdfunding campaign to buy a pristine New Zealand beach for public use has been successful after a last-minute drama.A crowdfunding campaign to buy a pristine New Zealand beach for public use has been successful after a last-minute drama.
Awaroa Inlet is now in public hands after nearly 40,000 people contributed more than NZ$2m to secure the land, which will be incorporated into the Abel Tasman national park.Awaroa Inlet is now in public hands after nearly 40,000 people contributed more than NZ$2m to secure the land, which will be incorporated into the Abel Tasman national park.
Related: Crowdfunding battle to stop unspoilt New Zealand beach falling into private hands
The government stepped in at the 11th hour to top up the bid, as did a private bidder last week.The government stepped in at the 11th hour to top up the bid, as did a private bidder last week.
The campaign organiser, Duane Major, posted on Facebook this morning: “We are pleased to announce that at 10.57pm last night a pristine piece of beach and bush was delivered into the hands of everyone to enjoy forever.The campaign organiser, Duane Major, posted on Facebook this morning: “We are pleased to announce that at 10.57pm last night a pristine piece of beach and bush was delivered into the hands of everyone to enjoy forever.
“Congratulations everyone! We did it!!”“Congratulations everyone! We did it!!”
He told Radio New Zealand the details of the purchase would be revealed later on Wednesday but it was important to celebrate and focus on the victory at hand – especially for the children of New Zealand.He told Radio New Zealand the details of the purchase would be revealed later on Wednesday but it was important to celebrate and focus on the victory at hand – especially for the children of New Zealand.
“My heart is beating and I’ve got goosebumps and I’m just so thankful for all those people,” he added on TV3’s Paul Henry show. “I always thought we could do it. I did not appreciate the crazy, freakish nature of this campaign.”“My heart is beating and I’ve got goosebumps and I’m just so thankful for all those people,” he added on TV3’s Paul Henry show. “I always thought we could do it. I did not appreciate the crazy, freakish nature of this campaign.”
The conservation minister, Maggie Barry, said the government had made a “modest contribution” from the nature heritage fund to help secure the purchase.The conservation minister, Maggie Barry, said the government had made a “modest contribution” from the nature heritage fund to help secure the purchase.
“It’s an outstanding outcome. I love the idea that the people of New Zealand have not only spoken, but they’ve put their tuppence-worth in.”“It’s an outstanding outcome. I love the idea that the people of New Zealand have not only spoken, but they’ve put their tuppence-worth in.”
The bid to buy the seven-hectare inlet from a private owner and hand it over to the public began in January. There had been fears that public access to the turquoise waters and unspoilt native bush could have been restricted.The bid to buy the seven-hectare inlet from a private owner and hand it over to the public began in January. There had been fears that public access to the turquoise waters and unspoilt native bush could have been restricted.
The property features three buildings, 800 metres of beach and seven hectares of land.The property features three buildings, 800 metres of beach and seven hectares of land.
Major and his brother-in-law, Adam Gard’ner, were moaning about the possibility of New Zealanders losing access to the South Island beach over Christmas lunch.Major and his brother-in-law, Adam Gard’ner, were moaning about the possibility of New Zealanders losing access to the South Island beach over Christmas lunch.
“We thought, ‘Put your money where your mouth is,’” Major said.“We thought, ‘Put your money where your mouth is,’” Major said.
“We wanted New Zealanders to come out swinging and stand up for their values and their ability to believe in themselves and say, ‘We can do this, we can save this beach.’”“We wanted New Zealanders to come out swinging and stand up for their values and their ability to believe in themselves and say, ‘We can do this, we can save this beach.’”
The inlet was listed before Christmas and includes 800 metres of beach.The inlet was listed before Christmas and includes 800 metres of beach.