Crowd funding gets the beach
Stuff reports:
The Government stepped in with an 11th hour offer of $350,000 to help get the Abel Tasman beach bid over the line.
Conservation Minister Maggie Barry confirmed the contribution after it was announced a public campaign to buy Awaroa beach had been successful.
Barry confirmed the Government contribution was what helped the appeal “get over the line and buy the property for New Zealand”.
It is understood the Government’s donation was needed to secure the sale as a portion of Givealittle donors are expected to renege on on their pledges.
Pleased to see the crowd funded bid win the day.
I didn’t want to see taxpayer money go on the bid, but I can understand the problem faced with a portion of donors not eventually paying, and someone needed to cover that eventuality.
A separate last-minute anonymous donor was also a “critical component” in the success of the campaign to buy the Abel Tasman beach, organisers say.
I understand that donor may have donated $500,000. Hugely generous.