A New Zealand man whose ambitious crowdfunding campaign raised millions of dollars to buy a pristine South Island beach and make it public parkland said on Monday it was "surreal" to see his dream realised.

Duane Major's push earlier this year to take Awaroa beach out of private hands and make it a national park quickly went viral, attracting 40,000 donations to raise a total of NZ$2.3 million (£1.3 million).

Mr Major, a pastor who describes himself as "an ordinary bloke", was present when the beach was officially incorporated into the Abel Tasman National Park at a Maori ceremony on Sunday.

"I must say, it might have been the wind, but I might have squeezed out a wee tear or two," Mr Major told TV3 on Monday.

Awaroa inlet is an 800-metre (2,600-foot) stretch of golden sand at the top of South Island.