Art Gallery boost

From City Scene, published on 16 March, 2008

Auckland city Mayor Hon. John Banks, Prime Minister and Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Rt Hon. Helen Clark and Auckland Art Gallery director Chris Saines.

Significant contribution: Auckland city Mayor Hon. John Banks, Prime Minister and Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Rt Hon. Helen Clark and Auckland Art Gallery director Chris Saines at the government's announcement it would contribute $30m towards the gallery development.

The Mayor of Auckland city, Hon. John Banks, says he is very pleased with the government's announcement to contribute $30 million towards the Auckland Art Gallery development.

"This significant contribution will help to secure Auckland's place as home to New Zealand's pre-eminent public art gallery," says Mr Banks.

"This is another important milestone in the project and with no more major regulatory and planning hurdles in the way, the project can now proceed," he says.

Chairperson of the Auckland Art Gallery Board, Councillor Noelene Raffills, says the government funding is a huge boost for Auckland.

"A development of this scale is difficult for a city to achieve on its own. Government support is vital and its contribution will be appreciated by current and future gallery users," she says.

The government funding, spread over four years, represents about one-third of the total project cost.

Auckland City Council has set aside $33 million and the Auckland Art Gallery Foundation has committed to raising $33.4 million, of which $15.5 million has already been pledged.

The main gallery building closed on 29 February, with construction on the development expected to start by May and be finished in 2010. During the work, events and exhibitions will continue at Auckland Art Gallery's New Gallery on the corner of Wellesley and Lorne streets.