Crowdfunding allowed New Zealand residents to redeem the beach from a businessman, making it public

This wonderful beach will be given to future generations, the authors of the project rejoice.

About 40 thousand people were able to raise about $ 1.5 million through crowdfunding to buy Awaroa beach in Abel Tasman National Park. The beach was put up for sale by the previous owner last year, and now the inhabitants of the island have purchased it for public use. True, the government also helped with money, plus another major “investor” was found.

Fundraising was initiated by a group of friends who wanted to make the beach public. The current owner of the beach, businessman Michael Spackman, agreed to sell the beach after four days of negotiations. By the way, funds were raised in just three weeks, writes Stuff.





According to representatives of the project team, the government did not make the largest contribution, but it was vital to achieve the goal of the campaign. It may well be that this project will become a precedent for future similar projects when the company buys private property from individual owners.

An interesting point - a businessman from New Zealand wanted to take part in the project. He planned to make a substantial contribution, but wished to receive for personal use a section of the beach - for himself and his family. The authors of the project refused his help, deciding that the beach should belong to everyone.

In addition, the Maori, local groups of Aboriginal people, wanted to use the beach. Residents call the beach itself "a seven-hectare utopia." Now the government is already working to include the beach in the national park. Getting here is not easy - only by air, in most cases. But this place is perfect for relaxation.