NZ Children Show Art Of Story Writing Alive & Well

August 2 , 2002

NZ Children Show Art Of Story Writing Alive And Well

New Zealand children have revealed their love of writing with thousands of stories entered in the NESTLE Write Around New Zealand children's writing competition.

NESTLE Write Around New Zealand: NESTLE Tuhi Amio Whenua has attracted more than 7000 entries from all over the country (30 per cent more than last year) including two entries from remote Pitt Island.

"We are overwhelmed with the response," says national co-ordinator of the competition, Kaye Lally from Auckland City Libraries. "Writing is one of the most important skills to have and reading is one of the greatest joys in life! We are delighted we have captured the interest and imagination of so many New Zealand children."

Created and developed by Nestlé, the NESTLE Write Around New Zealand competition is being run by representatives from 10 of New Zealand's public libraries together with Nestlé as part of the company's 'Good Life' community programme. It is open to intermediate aged children (Year 7 and 8) and entries are encouraged in both English and Te Reo Maori.

The 2002 regional breakdown of entries are:

Northland 337; Auckland 1485; Waikato/King Country 520; Bay of Plenty 564; Taranaki/Wanganui/Horowhenua/Manawatu 740; East Coast/Gisborne/Hawkes Bay 409; Wellington/Kapiti/Wairarapa 888; Nelson/Marlborough 480; Canterbury 1008; Otago/Southland 592. Fifteen entries were received in Maori.

Judges from the 10 regions are busy reading the stories. Winners will be announced at regional award presentations at the co-ordinating library between September 2 & 8, 2002. Winners will be selected to go forward to the national awards' presentation in Auckland in November.

Nestle's Corporate Services Manager, Maurice Gunnell says;

"The programme has been widely praised by parents and community leaders and teachers tell us this exercise has raised enthusiasm for writing in the classroom. We're proud to have brought such a worthwhile and rewarding programme to the community and pleased to see the huge increase in entries this year."

Children are competing for $60,000 worth of prizes including computers, software, books and backpacks full of Nestlé goodies.

Ends.

Released on behalf of Nestlé NZ Ltd by Porter Novelli Ltd.

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