$200,000 boost for Chinese garden

The Dunedin Chinese Gardens Trust has received a $200,000 sponsorship deal from the Southland Building Society, giving the trust's goal of raising $7.6 million for completion of the project a boost.

Southland Building Society (SBS) Dunedin branch manager Andrew Kilsby said, during the past 10 years SBS had provided sponsorship which went towards ongoing costs associated with promotion and liaison to help ensure progress with the project.

"The Chinese gardens will not only be a visual asset but an iconic destination.

"The gardens will become a national and international visitor attraction, which will in turn, generate economic benefit for the city," Mr Kilsby said.

Dunedin Chinese Gardens Trust chairman Peter Chin said the garden had been founded on such relationships and said the sponsorship would greatly assist the trust in meeting its end funding target.