Despite an overwhelming vote to bring Hundertwasser to Whangarei, funding is still needed for the project to go ahead.

Nearly 14,000 people voted yes to the city's former harbour board building being turned into an art complex inspired by the late Austrian architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser.

But the results of the referendum will remain binding, provided the backers, Prosper Northland, secure the $15 million needed for the project by June 2017.

Prosper Northland chairman Barry Trass says, with council funding there's still $12 million more to find.

But he says he's confident they'll get there.

"There's a lot of philanthropists around there, and the general public that are very supportive right throughout the country and overseas. There are a lot of options to look at."