A plan to build a 600-seat theatre on Auckland's waterfront has been given a funding boost with investment from the Arts Council.
Creative New Zealand has committed $3 million to The Waterfront Theatre Project and hopes will be a catalyst to encourage more people to invest in the venue.
The theatre, which will cost about $35 million to build, will become the permanent home of Auckland Theatre Company.
The chair of Creative New Zealand, Alastair Carruthers, says he hopes the venue will fill a gap in the Auckland arts scene which has been there for more than a generation.
He believes it is important to support the theatre company because it's a key player in the nation's art scene.
"It develops New Zealand playwrights, it develops New Zealand actors, it helps directors, it helps producers, it tours work and it creates a really dynamic hub for creativity, that in Auckland also assists the film industry, the scriptwriting industry and TV production as well."
Mr Carruthers hopes the rest of the money for the project will come through donations from groups and individuals in the community.
