A New Zealand entrepreneur and former Waitakere City Mayor are getting behind a waka-shaped museum on Auckland's waterfront.

Sirs Ian Taylor and Bob Harvey say a mega attraction on Wynyard Point could be Auckland's answer to the Sydney Opera House.

Sir Ian says he wants to explore its commercial viability.

He says he wouldn't want the Government to have to fork out for it.

"It could be an iwi, it could be a fully commercial operation - there are examples all over the place where that works."

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