The Neurological Foundation says more than $1.5 million has been raised by the public to fund a chair in neurosurgery.
The foundation launched the campaign a month ago, and is now halfway to the $3 million needed to fund the position in perpetuity.
An average of $17,500 per day is being received per day.
Run in conjunction with the University of Otago, the chair would split their time between being a neurosurgeon at Dunedin hospital serving Otago and Southland, and research and teaching.
