UPDATED 12.37am: The Government made a $350,000 contribution towards the public campaign to buy Awaroa Beach, in the Abel Tasman.

It's been announced the campaign to buy the pristine beach through crowdfunding has been successful. 

More than 39,000 members of the New Zealand public collectively donated more than $2 million to buy the seven-hectare Awaroa Inlet from a private owner so it could be handed over to the public.

Organiser Duane Major revealed the final amount raised the public crowdfunding campaign was $2,278,171.09 -- and $350,000 of that was contributed by the Government, which will come from its Nature Heritage Fund.

Major was jubilant after announcing the decision.

LISTEN ABOVE: Duane Major speaks to Chris Lynch

“We have pulled it off, we have pulled it off,” he said.

The Government's confident it could be incorporated into the Abel Tasman National Park.

Conservation Minister Maggie Barry has asked her officials to put the foot to the accelerator and make it happen as quickly as possible.

And she's confident calls from local Iwi for the beach to be in their hands won't be a complication.

"I feel that the tide of public opinion and the desire for New Zealanders to have this included in the national park to protect it in perpetuity for all of us would be something very difficult to ignore."

MORE: Calls for Abel Tasman beach to be returned to Maori

LISTEN: Gareth Morgan: Offer helped to push up Abel Tasman donations

Labour leader Andrew Little said today's public purchase shows how strongly we all feel about the issue and proves that we can, and want to, hold on to our natural heritage.

"I think it's a real expression that New Zealanders are concerned about valuable Kiwi land falling into the hands of those who don't necessarily live here.

"So I think it's fantastic and it'll be great for future generations."

TIMELINE

January 22, 2016 - The “Pristine beach in the heart of the Abel Tasman” project is launched on crowd-fundraising website Givealittle, asking for $2 million to buy the seven hectare private beach in Abel Tasman National Park's Awaroa Inlet.

January 26 - The page has seven pledges worth $6300.

January 27 - Spark pledges $20,000 to the Givealittle campaign, which is now at $250,000 with close to 4500 people donating.

January 31 - More than $600,000 has been pledged by 9273 people.

February 3 - Conservation Minister Maggie Barry confirms that the beach will be added to the Abel Tasman National Park if the online campaign succeeds. More than 11,000 have so far raised $750,000.

February 7 – The Givealittle campaign breaks $1 million, with more than 15,000 pledges. Labour leader Andrew Little says the Government should make it a Waitangi weekend to remember by agreeing to meet the remaining cost of buying the beach.

February 9 - More than $1.3 million has been pledged by over 20,000 donors. Millionaire Gareth Morgan offers to front the remaining money, but his offer comes with conditions. He writes on his blog that he will cover the difference needed, but he wants the section of beach that is currently private to remain that way - for his family.

February 10 – A total of $1,520,982.30 has been pledged by more than 24,000 people and businesses. Gareth Morgan's offer is met with outrage, with some people saying they will retract their pledges. The men behind the Givealittle campaign, Adam Gardner and Duane Major, assure pledgers they do not want Morgan's money.

February 12 - The campaign reaches its $2 million target, with more than 33,200 people and businesses donating.

February 15 - Campaign closes, generating more than $2 million. There are donations from 39,249 people and businesses. The final tally is kept secret. Gareth Morgan claims it was his cunning scheme that helped push up donations.

February 16 - The deadline closes for offers to buy the beach. A spokesman for Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says the Government has not ruled out making a "a modest contribution to the appeal should the need arise," but saysat this stage, no commitment has been made.

February 24 - Campaign is successful. Organiser Duane Major announces that the public fundraising effort was enough to secure the beach, with a total of $2,278,171.09 donated. The Government also supports the bid with a "modest" contribution. Mr Major says the piece of beach and bush was delivered into the hands of all New Zealanders at 10.57pm the night before.