The way the arts is funded is coming into question following another Budget where most of the arts sector is missing out.

The government has been praised for putting money into the Royal New Zealand Ballet, the Symphony Orchestra, and Te Matahini - the National Kapa Haka organisation.

However Sam Sneddon, co-general manager of the popular Basement Theatre in Auckland, argues that the rest of the industry is being dramatically under-funded, especially Creative New Zealand.

Creative New Zealand is the body that gives money to people wanting to make productions, create shows, stand-up events and festivals in New Zealand, and relies on the Lotteries Commission for its funding.

"I'm disappointed that the government could see their way clear to supporting two to three hundred individuals who work for those organisations, but not the thirteen-thousand-five-hundred other artists in New Zealand who rely on [Creative New Zealand] funding, which didn't receive an increase in the Budget," he said.

Sneddon also points out that arts funding comes predominantly from gambling, and while the government, rightly, does everything it can to stop problem gambling, Lottery profits are declining, and it's backwards that the arts should suffer too.

"[We're] being propped up by something that we know is hugely problematic, which is gambling money," Sneddon said.