Tauranga facility a first for New Zealand

Manager of ARRC Wildlife Trust Sue Mackey (left) and Dr Liza Schneider from Holistic Vets.

Tauranga could soon be home to a $5 million eco-friendly wildlife rehabilitation and education facility - the first of its kind in New Zealand.

The city council is looking at donating a piece of land to Arrc Wildlife Trust for the project, that would be one day become a tourist attraction, according to Arrc director Liza Schneider.

Dr Schneider said the project would be a site for the organisation's operations, including wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, and an educational facility for young people.

"Our vision is to have a purpose built, environmentally sustainable eco-village, a world class education facility that would attract people from all over the place."

Dr Schneider said the organisation was eyeing up a piece of land at the Historic Village.

"We are going to need up to a hectare. We are still working on the plans but we would like the buildings to be as environmentally sustainable as possible, grass roof, solar panels, everything possible while still being practical."

Mayor Stuart Crosby said the council would be working with Arrc but it was not likely the build would happen at the Historic Village. "I believe it will gain council support in terms of us finding a site."