At the time, he visited Oamaru to assess the undeveloped precinct's potential and yesterday, as Labour Party leader, Mr Goff visited the area for the first time since 1988; declaring he was impressed with what had happened since then.
In Oamaru and Waimate visiting family, Mr Goff took the opportunity to catch up with party faithful in Oamaru, the party's new Waitaki candidate Barry Monks and revisit the historic area.
He was minister of tourism when his ministry put up funding for what became known as the Arthur Young report.
The approach for government funding for the "Feasibility Study - Harbour/Tyne Street Area" was prompted by a group of Oamaru citizens and local body leaders who could see the potential of the historic buildings in attracting tourists to Oamaru, but feared they were deteriorating so fast they could soon be beyond saving.
The report, released in March 1988, looked at the long-term preservation and utilisation of the buildings and the marketing of the area for tourist and commercial purposes.
It recommended establishing a "Victorian town at work" through the formation of an Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust to oversee the development.
The trust was formed, acquired most of the historic buildings on the two streets and rejuvenated the area.
Since then, hundreds of thousands of New Zealand and international visitors have flocked to the area and it has featured in some major films.
Mr Goff said yesterday that when he visited in 1988, the project was "just taking off".
"I could see the enormous potential and, from what I have seen now, I'm impressed with what has happened.
"In 1988, it was the start of something with an idea.
"Now, it is something that makes Oamaru special and different ... attracting New Zealand and overseas visitors."
