The Government has pledged $4 million towards the cost of earthquake strengthening the Hawke's Bay Opera House.
Prime Minister Bill English made the announcement at the venue this afternoon, a major contribution to the $11 million estimated cost of the project.
The funding will add to the $500,000 already raised, and came about following a change to the Regional Museums Policy for Capital Construction, said Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule.
In May last year, the museums policy was replaced with a Regional Culture and Heritage Fund that extended the funding eligibility criteria to include cultural institutions, such as performing arts venues, opera houses, art galleries, museums and whare taonga.
Mr Yule welcomed the announcement and said a lot of work had gone into lobbying both former Prime Minister John Key, and Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry for their support of the Opera House project.