Plans to develop a $120 million attraction based on Britain's Eden Project on unused red zone land in Christchurch have been unveiled
The Water for Life Trust wants to turn a 16-hectare piece land next to the Avon River into an environmental hub.
The concept is modelled on the Eden Project in Cornwall which features a rainforest and Mediterranean landscape in biomes or giant bubbles.
It has attracted more than 17 million visitors since it opened in 2001 and has brought in more than $3 billion to the local economy.
Its founder Sir Tim Smit, who is in Christchurch, said the aims were to transform landscapes and communities.
The Christchurch project will focus on water and its journey from the mountains to the sea. It will also have shops, cafes and venues for meetings and concerts.
Chairperson of the Water for Life Trust, Martin Hadlee, said the next step was to seek funding.
He said it had still to work out whether the project would be a public, private partnership or some other arrangement. Mr Hadlee said the project would take several years to complete.