Libraries Give Children The Write Chance To Shine

Libraries Give Children The Write Chance To Shine

This week public libraries throughout New Zealand celebrate the nationwide launch of the Nestlé Write Around New Zealand: Nestle Tuhi Amio Whenua creative writing programme for 2003.

In the Northland region imagination will take flight when stories are attached to colourful helium-filled balloons and released into the sky while to kick off the competition in Otago and Southland a storyteller will entertain guests at the Oamaru Library. Many other exciting activities are scheduled to take place at libraries around the country.

Nestlé Write Around New Zealand: Nestle Tuhi Amio Whenua is a national creative writing programme in which Year 7 and 8 students compete for a share of $60,000 worth of prizes.

By entering a story of up to 500 words, children can win collections of great Kiwi books for themselves and their school libraries and backpacks full of Nestlé products. The two national winners, announced in November in Auckland, will also receive a complete computer package.

Maurice Gunnell, Nestlé New Zealand's manager corporate services, says the programme demonstrates Nestlé's commitment to nurturing the creative writing processes of the country's youth.

"Nestlé Write Around New Zealand is specially designed to stimulate originality and creativity in writing for Year 7 and 8 school children. It involves regional writing competitions and a series of author workshops at local libraries leading up to an overall national competition in November.

"This initiative, now in its third year, has enjoyed immense success. It has been widely praised by community leaders for its role in showcasing the talent of our young writers," Mr Gunnell says.

National coordinator, Kaye Lally, says the public libraries are delighted to be involved with the programme that encourages children to think outside the square and put their imagination on paper.

"It is essential to nurture children's creativity and keep the art of story writing alive," she says.

The programme will select 150 finalists from the 10 zones nationwide with 30 winners chosen at regional events traveling to Auckland for the national presentation where two winners will be announced, one each from Year 7 and Year 8 entries.

As part of the programme public libraries throughout the country will hold creative writing workshops for local school students with celebrated New Zealand authors during May and June.

Nestlé Write Around New Zealand: Nestle Tuhi Amio Whenua is a Nestlé funded community programme coordinated by Auckland City Libraries and supported by public libraries around New Zealand. Entries will be accepted in both English and Maori. Competition entry forms and conditions are available from schools, public libraries and online at http://www.writearound.co.nz.

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