Planning and collaboration is underway for a proposed high-technology 3D marine film project and aquarium in the heart of Tauranga.

Priority One and Tourism Bay of Plenty are currently working with Academy Award-winning Kiwi director Mike Firth, in support of the Marine Film and Aquarium Project.

Planning is underway for a cinema and aquarium project in Tauranga.

A recent report to the Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council Joint Governance Committee outlines the project includes a 'significant” 3D cinema and aquarium, and link with the Coastal Marine Field Station at Sulphur Point.

Priority One is providing funding to assist in the development of marketing and communications collateral to enable up to $6million in investment funding be raised.

NZ On Screen describes Mike's career as paralleling the renaissance of the New Zealand film industry.

His first feature ‘Off the Edge' provided huge domestic box-office success and earned him an Academy Award nomination as producer for best feature documentary.

The film is said to have put New Zealand on the world film making map and was a catalyst in forming the NZ Film Commission. ‘Off the Edge' and its sequel ‘The Leading Edge' have both become cult classics.

Mike was also the producer of ‘Adrenalize': a 52 episode extreme sports television series sold into all major television markets across 50 countries.

When contacted by SunLive, Mike, Priority One chief executive Andrew Coker and Tourism Bay of Plenty general manager Rhys Arrowsmith would not comment on the project saying it is still in its infancy.