Internal Affairs Minister Rick Barker yesterday made the cheque presentation of $1,531,290 in person, congratulating the Otago Natural History Trust on "an impressive project".
"The work will complete the ecosanctuary infrastructure and enable it to be opened to the public," Mr Barker saidMuch of its success was due to the strong support from local communities, he said.
"The trust relies heavily on the efforts of its volunteers."
It had already raised nearly $1 million towards the $2.3 million visitor and education centre, which would sit alongside the specialised 9km, 2m-high pest exclusion fence surrounding the sanctuary, which cost $2.2 million to build.
Trust chairman Dr Ralph Allen said when accepting the cheque he was "tickled pink" with the grant, as it was often difficult to raise funds for an environmental project, especially the last amount.
"It's absolutely fantastic."
The minister was right about the community being what mattered to the project, he said.
"We wouldn't be where we are today [without them]."
Francie Beggs, who was representing Forest and Bird which had donated $40,000 towards the sanctuary, said the grant meant the project was taking another step forward.
"It's marvellous. I didn't expect it to be that generous."
The visitor centre with its educational facilities gave the walks through the sanctuary a point of difference, she said.
"Without that, it would just be another walk. The next stage is very necessary."
The trust would meet contractors this week to arrange a starting date for construction of the centre and it was hoped it would be open within a year.
New Zealand Lottery Grants Board had allocated $16 million to significant projects in 2008-09 with funds that come from profits of the NZ Lotteries Commission.
