A Timaru man wants New Zealanders to buy back a pristine slice of the South Island's high country currently owned by a US-born and Cayman Island-based billionaire.
John Overton wants New Zealanders to repeat what they did when they bought Awaroa Beach in the Abel Tasman, and buy Lilybank Station - a south Canterbury high country farm that is on the market.
The 4000-hectare high country station is listed for sale by billionaire Ken Dart, who reportedly bought the property for $3.5 million in 2013.
"There's a lot of dissatisfaction with this at the moment, and I thought this will be a great idea to do what the guys did with the beach in Tasman and start a crowdfunding campaign," Mr Overton told Newshub.
The station near Fairlie in Mid Canterbury is listed as boasting world class tahr and red deer hunting, as well being home to club ski field Fox Peak Ski Area.
Mr Overton would like to see Kiwis pitch in and keep the land New Zealand owned.
"I'm interested in keeping these large blocks of land in New Zealand hands. I mean, I'd be happy if it was bought by a New Zealander - but it would be better if it could be shared with the public," he said.
Forest and Bird understand Mr Overton's sentiment and plan, but say buying back a pristine piece of high country shouldn't rely on the goodwill of the public.
"We would like to see the Crown step in and grab this opportunity to get some more of the precious high country land back under crowd control," Forest and Bird regional manager Nicky Snoyink says.
Whoever ends up buying the land will have to act fast. The deadline for sale of Lilybank Station is the end of August.
A Givealittle page has been set up to crowdfund the money.
Newshub.
