A plan for a 10,000 - 12,000 seat stadium in Petone, near Wellington, is a step closer.
Hutt City Councillors on Wednesday night were given an initial private briefing on the proposal put forward by the Community Facilities Trust, and it will now be publicly discussed at a council meeting later this month.
Lower Hutt Mayor Ray Wallace says at this stage there's been no detailed discussion on costings - only the design concept - but it could be of great value to Petone and the Wellington region.
Some observers have tipped that if it goes ahead, the stadium could be a new home for the Phoenix football club.
Former Wellington city councillor John Morrison said it would be sad to see the Phoenix leave Westpac Stadium, but small crowds there mean a mid-sized stadium could make more sense.