Originally the foundation had planned to establish the centre on the eastern boundary of its property. However, the latest property acquisition, which came unexpectedly, offered a much better location for the centre, Mr Major said.
"Firstly, it affords us a view over the whole property, it gives us the opportunity to make the place secure, which is a key issue for us, and it will enable us to bring many of the artefacts that are stored in the council storage facility at The Mount across to here so that we can display them appropriately on a rotational basis."
The visitor centre and education centre would allow The Elms to display more of its collection of 12,000 artefacts and tell the story of the mission station through a short movie. The centre would include a 50-seat theatre.
"The long-term strategy is to make The Elms viable without impacting on its heritage and its integrity. The strategy is to introduce a level of commercial activity that is in keeping with the property, it must always be protected in terms of what it is," Mr Major said.
"The history of this place is incredible but we're not doing it justice."
The Elms Mission Station was significant in New Zealand's history because it was the oldest lived-in family home in New Zealand and truly represented early settler life, Mr Major said.
"It plays an important part in New Zealand's history and I'm of the view that if it's not better than the Treaty House at Waitangi, it's equal and it certainly has a lot more artefacts stored or on display in the limited facilities that we have at the moment and that makes it unique and a one only in New Zealand."
Mr Major said the foundation would be seeking funding assistance from central government in order to achieve its goals.
Minister of Culture and Heritage Chris Finlayson recently visited The Elms and encouraged the board of trustees to apply for funding from the Ministry.