A ship in Tauranga harbour is getting a makeover for a chance at a second life as a mobile medical clinic.
The 55m ship is being renovated to house a full medical clinic, lounge, reception area, kitchen, and sleeping accommodation for 40 people.
The MV Pacific Hope was bought byMarine Reach, a Tauranga-based not-for-profit organisation. Once the fit out is complete, the ship will travel to the Pacific, where volunteer specialists will provide free dentistry, eye surgery and basic medical services.
Medical specialists from New Zealand, Australia and around the world will volunteer to spend up to six months on the specially fitted out vessel.
More than 70 ANZ staff are spending three days painting the exterior of the boat, getting it ready for its first sailing to Vanuatu later this year.
ANZ regional manager Rob Yeoman says Marine Reach is a remarkable organisation.
"Despite the Pacific being full of tropical islands, there's still a lot of poverty, and these guys are really making a difference to the lives of our South Pacific neighbours.
"We're thrilled to be able to help them out by throwing a bit of manpower their way."
Capt Jesse Misa from Marine Reach said painting such a huge ship would normally take 10 weeks. "We're very grateful to the ANZ team for helping out."
