Campaigners are celebrating their victory in a long-running battle to preserve a world-famous Coromandel summer destination, with a public-backed charity buying the northern headland of New Chum Beach for $2.15m.
The sale of the 30ha piece of land in Wainuiototo Bay to the New Zealand Coastal Trust means the area will be protected from development.
“This is a great day for all who love this wonderful, beautiful and iconic place,” said Linda Cholmondeley Smith, of Preserve New Chum for Everyone Inc.
“In under four weeks we have managed to raise the funds to purchase the 30ha of the northern headland at New Chum/ Wainuiototo and protect it forever.
“We cannot thank enough the many people across the country and overseas, who contributed.”
The trust was still fundraising to help secure land behind the beach, which was still under threat from development.
