It was too good an opportunity to pass up.

Auckland Council has spent more than $12 million expanding its Botanical Gardens. 

It's bought 1.6 hectares, the size of two soccer pitches, on Hill Road in Manurewa. 

More than 10 million dollars of the purchase price will be funded by debt.

Manurewa-Papakura Ward Councillor, Daniel Newman, says he lobbied hard for the purchase. 

He knows money's tight, but this was the only time they could buy this particular parcel of land.

LISTEN ABOVE

It was too good an opportunity to pass up. 
Auckland Council has spent more than $12 million expanding its Botanical Gardens.  
It's bought 1.6 hectares, the size of two soccer pitches, on Hill Road in Manurewa.  
More than 10 million dollars of the purchase price will be funded by debt. 
Manurewa-Papakura Ward Councillor, Daniel Newman, says he lobbied hard for the purchase.  
He knows money's tight, but this was the only time they could buy this particular parcel of land. 
LISTEN ABOVE

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.