And when we apply this model of thinking as I have been doing, then perhaps we could be on to a winner, or at least a win/win for the community gaming trusts and the community they are supposed to be servicing with their profits.
When it comes to the obvious need for a conference and cultural centre here in Tauranga, this can only happen when we distance it from the same old chestnut of a museum that three different structures haven't been able to thus far crack, and good on them for having a go.
There is a train of thought being promoted around town that boutique museums in the form of The Elms, Classic Flyers, Historic Village and a Cultural Centre are the way to go.
They tell local stories to a target audience and all of them complement each other and, more importantly, cater for the offshore audience showing up in increasing numbers.
We cannot continue to stand by and watch a tide of tourists looking for a local cultural experience surge across the Mamaku to Rotovegas, every time a cruise ship pulls into the dock of the Bay.
Not when we have our own story to tell about Tauranga Moana.
This for me has far more relevance and is far richer by virtue of its namesake - the "safe anchorage" that the waka of yesterday and today have carried visitors from far-off lands to enjoy.
For my two bobs' worth of boutique museums, here is how one could happen, and in our lifetime.
Firstly, adopt a YesWeCan positive approach and leave the NoGoBro or NoCanDo negative naysayers back where they belong.
Then identify a site. Anywhere that overlooks the moana (harbour) will work. Matapihi comes to mind, as does Sulphur Point, Coronation Park or Cliff Rd.
Keep both councils out, as they carry ratepayer baggage.
Seek the wisdom of the "Godfathers of Giving" of our community, Des Coliogne, Tommy Tightrope, Peter Paul and Mary, Bill the Dutchie, Long Tall Sally, Mr and Mrs Santa Carrus, Matapihi Neil and the three iwi chairs - and it's game on.
How to fund this could be the same model as Captain Keyora has used on the Ngati Skippy up north at SkyCity.
Punters spend around $33 million on pokies in the Western Bay rohe each year and part of the compliance charter applied under the gaming authorities' licence to pokie venues is that a set percentage has to come back to the demographic audience of the punters.
On top of this, the Bay's three iwi could and should put together an in depth study of how much their people are spending on pokies each year and exactly how much of this spend is being returned in the forms of grants paid out by pokie trusts.
By my reckoning, a world-class cultural centre could be built and paid for in 10 short years, or about the same time as we have been talking about building a museum.
If we want what both Hawaii and Rotorua have as their No1 tourist attraction in the form of a cultural centre, and the employment opportunities that go with them, then we need to start sending down some straight messages to those who can make it happen, and not allow the penny-pinchers and nay-sayers to stymie its progress. Can we build one? Yes, we can.
broblack@xtra.co.nz
-Tommy Wilson is a best-selling author and local writer.
