Get off your butt and do something about it.
That's the blunt message from Sharla May, the local woman behind a movement to shake off Wanganui's image as a "zombie town".
After TV One's Sunday programme, Ms May and Mayor Annette Main have decided to hold a public meeting to discuss practical ways to improve the image. Ms May, who last month launched a website to promote Wanganui, said she was "incensed" by Sunday's portrayal of Wanganui as a dying town and wanted to do something.
"This is more negative publicity for Wanganui and I'm determined to fight it."
The meeting will be held at the War Memorial Hall on October 6 at 7pm, and everyone is welcome.
Ms May said Ms Main would be the main speaker and she was working on getting other speakers.
"We want to brainstorm ideas for how we could improve Wanganui's image but also revive the community.
"Everybody needs to be involved with this - we want the entire community to have some pride in Wanganui."
Ms May initially wanted to have a protest march - which she dubbed the "zombie march" - but decided against it.
"Some people worried that the media coverage of a 'zombie march' might end up being even more negative for Wanganui," she said.
However, another Wanganui woman, Julie Herewini, has picked up the zombie march idea and organised the "Yeah Hard Whanganui Zombie March", which can be found on Facebook.
The march will take place at noon on Saturday at Trafalgar Square - and people are welcome to dress as zombies.
"We think it's a great opportunity to get our town together and have a bit of fun. Let's show the world this zombie town is not dead and isn't going to be any time soon," Ms Herewini said.