The Government is considering putting a royalty payment on artworks when they are resold.
It means artists would receive a royalty payment each time an original artwork was resold on the secondary art market.
Such an arrangement is in place in 50 countries, Arts Minister Helen Clark andher associate Judith Tizard said.
Miss Clark said total sales across New Zealand's six main art auction houses had doubled in the past decade.
Sales had reached a peak of nearly $19.5 million in 2003 and in each of the past two years had been around $14m.
Art commentators were predicting a surge in New Zealand art auction sales in the next year or two, Miss Clark said.
Ms Tizard said a "resale royalty rights" overseas tended to apply to work sold through dealers and auctioneers, and works sold privately were not usually included.
The ministers have issued a discussion document on the proposal which looks at the range of art works to be covered by the scheme, the scope of re-sales, the royalty rate -- 5 per cent of the net resale price has been suggested -- and who would be liable for payment.
It also looks at whether payment would be made only to living artists or also the estates of dead artists, reciprocity with countries operating similar schemes, and which agency would collect the royalties.
The public has until June 22 to comment on the proposal.
