The 10 million-dollar man was in town last night to open the temporary Sarjeant on the Quay and pledge his commitment to the redevelopment of the Sarjeant Gallery.
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Chris Finlayson confirmed that around $10 million was available from central government providing criteria were met.
Hailing the huge national significance of the Sarjeant collection, he said Hamilton "would die for it".
"There are big cities who have nothing compared to what you have here," he told an invited audience at last night's ceremony to open the temporary gallery on Taupo Quay.
Of the ambitious $28 million redevelopment project, he said: "You will get every support from central government.