The Youth Hostel Association of New Zealand is one ecofriendly footprint closer to building a two-storey 54-bed hostel and education centre on Stewart Island.
The Southland District Council resource management committee this week granted land use consent to build the $3 million hostel, subject to appeals.
YHA chief executive Mark Wells said the concept for the "ecohostel and learning centre", was launched in 2007 as part of the association's 75th anniversary celebrations.
"We are wanting to create an interactive experience for people to introduce them to the environment."
No construction date had been finalised, he said.
