The creation of a New Plymouth gallery dedicated to showing the art works of kinetic artist Len Lye has the go-ahead after $10 million was raised from private sources.
Lye, who died in 1980, bequeathed many works to the city and a decade ago New Plymouth District Council said it was going to position itself as the world's centre for his art.
Many critics called the proposal a waste of money that would burden ratepayers.
The council says it has raised the money needed from private funders, including $5 million from community trusts and the Government, and $3 million from oil company Todd Energy.
Len Lye Committee chair, councillor Lance Girling-Butcher, says the gallery is the answer to a 30-year dream, dating from when the artist gave the collection to the city.
The council says it will start building the gallery in the central city next year.
