Weta Workshop – the special effects and prop company behind such epics as The Lord of the Rings and Avatar – have thrown their weight behind a NZ$45m (US$32.5m, €27.5m, £25.3m) redevelopment of the Napier National Aquarium in New Zealand.

Napier City Council (NCC) has announced the plans, which will see the aquarium on Marine Parade expanded from 3,400sq m (36,600sq ft) by almost three times to 11,100sq m (120,000sq ft). Weta Workshop will be given “creative licence” to come up with a unique design for the development.

"It puts us on the map as a conservation centre of excellence and an eco-tourism destination of major significance,” said council manager of visitor experiences, Sally Jackson.

"We couldn't be more thrilled that Weta Workshop has come on board as our design partner, to create the wow factor and help us tell our stories in an innovative, original way."

NCC will provide NZ$7m (US$5m, €4.3m, £3.9m) in funding towards the development, with the remainder sought from a mix of public and private investment. In addition to Weta Workshop, key partners involved in the project include Air New Zealand, the University of Waikato, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Hawke’s Bay Tourism and representatives of the local Maori community.

“We’re on a mission to create an absolutely extraordinary experience so that people coming to New Zealand will not be able to leave the country without spending time at our aquarium,” said Napier mayor, Bill Dalton.

“We are looking forward to sharing the excitement of our National Aquarium Expansion Project in more detail, and hearing our community’s views, as we work hard towards enhancing our National Aquarium of New Zealand.”

NCC will formally review the indicative business case for the aquarium at the end of the month. If supported by councillors, it will then be presented to the New Zealand government for funding consideration. Construction is scheduled to start in 2019, with an opening date of 2021.