The Nature Heritage Fund (NHF) paid $935,000 on behalf of the Department of Conservation for 164ha of land along the Clutha River corridor near Luggate.
The properties were bought from Contact Energy three months ago by the contestable ministerial NHF fund, which seeks to protect the full range of New Zealand's natural ecosystems.
Contact's trading development and geothermal resources project manager, Neil Gillespie, confirmed at the end of June the sale and purchase agreements with the NHF had been concluded, but no sale figure was announced.
Wanaka-based Doc conservation services manager Chris Sydney said the land acquisition was a great outcome for conservation, as the Upper Clutha basin was recognised as an outstanding natural landscape with biodiversity features of national, regional and local importance.
''The glacial outwash lands involve significant river terrace and dryland vegetation including threatened flora as well as historic features and having river access value.''
The sites all adjoin the marginal strip along the Clutha River and some also adjoin public conservation land.
