The old Australian gold mining town of Ballarat could become the blueprint for turning around the fortunes of Tauranga's Historic Village.
Raewyn Whiteman urged the city council to take a leaf out of Ballarat's living museum at Sovereign Hill, an open air museum depicting Ballarat's first 10 years after gold was discovered in 1851.
She was one of 11 people who spoke to the council this week on the best way forward for the village that was founded to save some of Tauranga's most notable old buildings from demolition.
Mrs Whiteman said the city had lost the plot and not been visionary with what the Historic Village had to offer.
"With really good marketing we could get the people down there. I firmly believe that the village could sustain itself as an amazing historic place, unique to New Zealand," she said.
She felt there was no point reinventing the wheel when the village could easily be modelled on Sovereign Hill.
The Australian tourist attraction has more than 60 historically recreated buildings, with costumed characters who answer questions and pose for photos.
"It has been made into a working town with shops, theatre, factories, demonstrations and tours. They have trades and crafts practised by skilled operators using original machinery and equipment," Mrs Whiteman said.
Sovereign Hill was managed by a not-for-profit trust and it returned a surplus of $2.5 million.
The self-employed businesswoman disclosed how, many years ago, she had offered to take the leases of seven shops in the village, with people lined up ready to create and sell products from the era.
"The reason it did not happen was because there was a change of councillors," Mrs Whiteman said.
Arlene Foster, of the Turning Point Trust, the village's largest tenant with eight leases, said since the council took back the management of the village, it had operated almost solely on tenant rentals.
"This revenue has been the backbone on which the current range of successful events has been run. It has been those tenants, those community agencies, their people and their customers, that have enabled your city to shine," she said.
Ms Foster felt the village's point of difference was its eclectic mix of styles and services located in a charming setting.
"Build on what we currently have and we will have a worthy destination for visitors," she said.
The development of a cafe was vital, particularly if weekend operations were to be considered.
"The cafe needs immediate refurbishment and a viable long-term lease agreement with the right provider," Ms Foster said.
She cautioned that the top-end tourist market would require considerable capital investment and the focus should first be on building the village for the people of Tauranga. Many of the rented buildings were shabby and in a state of disrepair.
"I have worked in one every day." she said.
"What is needed is foresight and commitment now by council - in partnership with business and community funders - to bring the facilities up to 21st century standards, whilst retaining the unique character and atmosphere."
She said the village's community agencies and commercial organisations were working collaboratively and were not dysfunctional.
Retired lawyer Rob Paterson said the Historic Village needed people who had an affinity with the village.
"Most of the council's aims are laudable but does it have the energy to achieve this? This is the acid test," Mr Paterson said.