This Lush Beach Could Be Ours For 50 Cents

50 cents could get you access to your own pristine beach in Abel Tasman National Park - with just one catch. You'd be sharing it with the rest of NZ.

The 7ha private beach, in the park's Awaroa Inlet, is selling for $2 million.

The beach is listed with real estate company Bayleys, which describes it as "picturesque" with 800m of golden sand and beautiful native bush.

Although the beach was open for the public, Mr Major said that might not be guaranteed in the next 30 to 40 years as it had riparian rights. Photo / Flickr creative commons

Christchurch resident Duane Major, who regularly visited the private beach, has taken matters into his own hands and created a Givealittle page for Kiwis to pledge money to buy the land.

He said it was an opportunity to take it off the elite property market and give access to the public.

"I really value our national park and the idea of taking this opportunity to permanently take it off the private market and put it into the hands of everyone ... It's certainly worth a shot."

Although the beach was open for the public, Mr Major said that might not be guaranteed in the next 30 to 40 years as it had riparian rights.

"I want to make sure it can't be developed, as I enjoy and appreciate it so much ... This beach is particularly beautiful."

Mr Major, a Spreydon resident, said the idea came to mind when he was "ranting" about the pristine beach being for sale with his brother-in-law Adam Gardner.

"At the end of our banter, we said to each other, let's do something about it."

Mr Major said he would be "so stoked" if the target was reached.

"If 2000 people gave $1000, we would reach it. Let's give it a go."

He said he had spoken to a staff member at the Department of Conservation and it seemed interested, but it was out of its budget.

If a significant number of people pledged but the target was not reached, Mr Major said "it would still be sending a statement".

The page has seven pledges so far worth $6300. The $2 million would need to be pledged before the tender closes on February 16 at 4pm.

If the target was not reached, he said, pledgers would not be charged.

The Department of Conservation was unable to confirm to the Herald if they would accept the beach if it was offered to it.

- NZ Herald