New Zealand beach bought by crowdfunding is given to public

A pristine beach in New Zealand bought through a crowdfunding campaign has been handed to its new owners - the public. Nearly 40,000 people donated almost NZ$2.3m (£1.3m, $1.7m) to buy the Awaroa beach in the Abel Tasman National Park, on the South Island. Campaigners snubbed a businessman who offered them money in exchange for private access to part of the beach. The seven-hectare site will now be run by a national park. The previous owner, businessman Michael Spackman, agreed to sell the beach after the online crowdfunding campaign reached its target in a little more than three weeks.

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