A 9-month-long fundraising project aimed at expanding Te Mata Park near Havelock North is proving to be one of the most successful in Hawke's Bay, but still needs well over $100,000 in its last week.
Launched in July last year with a target of $1.25 million for the purchase of 8.5ha, the One Giant Chance campaign has passed the million-dollar mark but still needs about $180,000.
It includes $500,000 in commitments from the Hastings District Council, but Te Mata Park Trust Board secretary Emma Buttle said hundreds of people have contributed, from individuals through a Givealittle account, to family donor packages of $1000 each, to the offerings of user groups including a $5000 donation received yesterday, to business funding.
The trust board, which administers the 99ha of the current park, has a contract with a neighbouring landowner, conditional on the funds being raised by April 30 — next Tuesday.
"We will only get one crack at buying this neighbouring land," board chairman Mike Devonshire reiterated this week, describing the land between the Tauroa car parks and the main gates to the park leading to popular lookout Te Mata Peak as "a missing piece in the puzzle".