Waitangi National Trust is launching a charitable foundation it hopes will help fund a $10 million upgrade of the treaty grounds at Waitangi.
Trust chairman Pita Paraone says the foundation launched at Government House in Wellington on Tuesday and co-chaired by Sir Tumu Te Heuheu and Sir Don McKinnon will seek corporate and public support.
The project will include a climate-controlled museum to house valuable taonga (treasures) and an education centre.
Mr Paraone says a 1932 deed of gift by Lord and Lady Bledisloe stipulated that the Treaty grounds were never to be a burden on the taxpayer, which means the trust can't apply to the Government for funding.
But he still hopes the Government will support the upgrade and make a financial contribution.
Mr Paraone says he wants to have the project completed in time for the 175th Treaty celebrations in February 2015.
