New Zealand's own little slice of paradise, Awaroa beach, has officially become part of Abel Tasman National Park.
A ceremony took place at 12pm on Sunday at the beach attended by the two men who made it all happen - Duane Major and Adam Gardner.
In February nearly 40,000 people pledged a total of $2.28 million through their Givealittle campaign to buy the beach, with the help of the Government and the Joyce Fisher Charitable Trust getting it over the line.
Awaroa Inlet is seven hectares of bush and 800m of beach with riparian rights - which is being gifted to the Department of Conservation (DOC).
DOC, Associate Minister of Conservation Nicky Wagner and the Environment Minister and Nelson MP Dr Nick Smith are also beach gifting today.
"Today is a special day for New Zealand as we come together to celebrate the purchase this stunning beach," Ms Wagner says.
"It's a victory for positive people power and for preserving our environment. All those who contributed have given a wonderful gift to our nation. It is now protected forever with public access guaranteed."
Abel Tasman National Park is New Zealand's smallest national park which attracts the greatest number of visitors.
"The purchase of the beach property is an outstanding addition to the park that all visitors will now be able to enjoy," Ms Wagner says.
People boarding the water taxis to Awaroa ahead of the ceremony on Sunday (Suzette Howe)
DOC will liaise with Mr Major and Mr Gardner to implement plans for the beach which includes restoring its sand dune ecology and improving the habitat it provides for coastal birds such as oystercatchers, dotterel and godwits by clearing weeds and replanting native species in the dunes and kanuka forest.
The Joyce Fisher Charitable Tryst says Awaroa is a pristine area of beach and bush now committed in perpetuity into the hands of all New Zealanders to look after and treasure forever.
"Many years ago now the Fisher family bought the land in Anakiwa that fostered Outward Bound, we felt in committing our funds to this cause, that this is what Woolf and Joyce Fisher would have done."
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