New Zealand’s written voice is worth investment

MEDIA RELEASE – for immediate use, 6 August 2009

 
New Zealand’s written voice is worth investment
 

Despite the proliferation of bad news in the current recession, New Zealand readers and writers received a boost this week when two significant organisations signed up to showcase our Kiwi written word. National law firm Buddle Findlay and ASB join with New Zealand Book Month this year to make sure the written voice of all New Zealand is celebrated, rewarded and loved by young and old.

From Stewart Island to Kaitaia, Book Activists across the country are currently devising battle plans, losing themselves in their lover’s arms, curing world hunger, and… rhyming with Hairy Maclary. This year’s New Zealand Book Month campaign is set to bring communities together to talk, think, laugh, remember, and share great Kiwi stories throughout October. 

With the help of Buddle Findlay, New Zealand Book Month will launch on 1 October in true celebratory fashion. With celebrities, book lovers and writers in glittering attendance, the gala opening is set to showcase just how well loved New Zealand literature is by Kiwis everywhere. The event will also celebrate the 2009 Buddle Findlay Sargeson Fellows Steve Braunias and Julian Novitz.

 Then, thanks to the new partnership with ASB, this October Kiwi kids will be able to tell Kiwi writers exactly why they love their books – in fact they’ll be showing the whole country what New Zealand’s words are worth, by creating the country’s biggest Wordbank at ASB branches nationwide. To enter, Kiwi kids write a personal letter to a Kiwi author, explaining how that author's work changed the student's way of thinking about the world or themselves.  They then deposit their letter with ASB. There are big prizes, including behind the scenes experiences at Auckland Zoo and TVNZ, flights, author visits and book vouchers.

 “We believe in partnering with the local communities in which we operate, and ensuring New Zealand children are involved with reading and writing is something we’re very passionate about at ASB,” says Linley Wood, Chief Community Partnership Officer. “Working with NZ Book Month to promote the message that our Kiwi voice counts is a great opportunity for both ASB and our local communities to get involved.”

Buddle Findlay’s National Chairman, Peter Chemis, says the national law firm is also delighted to be involved.

“It makes sense for us to celebrate the literary achievements of our Buddle Findlay Sargeson Fellows within the context of New Zealand Book Month in October when we are also seeking applications from writers for the Fellowship.”

Now in its fourth year, NZBM is pleased to have the continued support of The Sunday Star- Times and Radioworks, and will be involving celebrities, schools, libraries, lovers of books and all things Kiwi to encourage local communities to first select a favourite New Zealand book and then create activities around that one book sometime during the month of October.

“New Zealand Book Month 2009 is about taking the essence of our purpose home. Book Activists across the country are signed up and ready to bring their favourite Kiwi reads to their communities,” says Michele Powles, NZBM Director.  “Already there is talk of cover design competitions, community cook offs, debates, fabulous fine dining, author visits and so on – each community will be creating events to showcase their selected Kiwi read.  Celebrities will be choosing their favourite reads and all this activity will be featured on television and in newspapers.” Community participation will be rewarded by prizes and travel to NZBM gala events.

Check the NZBM website for more information, to get involved and to find out what activities are planned in your community, www.nzbookmonth.co.nz

ENDS

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