Talk of zombie towns has certainly inspired Wanganui's most passionate supporters.
Wanganui man Brian Rhodes wants to paint the town's bridges. It's one of the former accountant's ideas for increasing the profile of the River City.
Mr Rhodes said painting each of the city's four bridges a different bright colour would help give Wanganui a point of difference. He presented the idea to council a few years ago but it gained no traction.
Publicity around zombie towns and provincial decline has brought his idea to the front of his mind again.
"I thought, well I actually better do something about it. We've got to get proactive," Mr Rhodes said.