More money for Observatory

The Government will provide $2.2 million to support the redevelopment of Wellington's Carter Observatory, Research Science and Technology Minister Steve Maharey announced today.

The funding was to support the redevelopment of the observatory into an educational and tourist facility.

It would have a larger planetarium and new exhibition spaces.

The observatory has operated as a statutory entity since 1938, but the Government was now looking to repeal the legislation to give the observatory greater independence.

Wellington City Council has committed to $3 million in operational and loan funding over the next ten years.

- NZPA