Turk, 30, at home in the classroom

For nearly three decades, Turk the red eared turtle has travelled from Tokoroa to Rotorua, bringing joy to the pupils at every school he has called home.

He now permanently resides at St Michael's Catholic School where he spends his time roaming around the classroom when he's not in his tank.

St Michaels relief teacher Jenny Burnett first came across Turk nearly 30 years ago while teaching in Tokoroa, when a former pupil gifted her the young turtle in an empty ice cream container.

"I genuinely thought I was getting a tub of hokey pokey icecream until I was surprised with this little turtle instead."

St Michael's pupils making Turk the centre of attention. Photo/Stephen Parker

Since then, Turk has accompanied Mrs Burnett to every school she's worked at, including Glenholme school in Rotorua where he lived for over a decade.

"Everywhere he's gone the kids have loved him. Most are happy to handle him and they enjoy seeing him roll around."

"He soaks up the attention," she said.

Although Turk looks tame and slow paced, he's much more mobile than you'd expect.

"One time I put Turk on the grass to play around and I turned away briefly, only to find that he had shot off and crawled under the building," Mrs Burnett said.

Now that she is semi retired, Mrs Burnett gave Turk to St Michael's Year 5 and 6 teacher Sara Mines to look after.

"He wants to get out of his tank the minute someone walks in the room," Mines said.

"It's as if he's another kid in the class."

Although his red ears have faded, Turk stills scurries around as if he hasn't lost a step.