NEW ZEALAND BOOK MONTH KICKS OFF IN AUCKLAND

Buddle Findlay & Partners, sponsors of the Buddle Findlay Sargeson Fellowship, hosted a large and happy gathering at Auckland’s superb Hopetoun Alpha on Thursday evening to mark the opening of New Zealand Book Month 2009..
Among the crowd were many trade notables, both publishers and booksellers, authors and librarians along with partners of Buddle Findlay and their clients.

The speakers included:

Michael Dineen – a Partner at Buddle Findlay who has been involved with his firm’s partnership with the Sargeson Fellowship since its inception.
Eric Kearley General Manager of Digital Channels at TVNZ.
Michele Poweles – Director NZBM and
The Hon.Chris Finlayson, Minister of Arts & Culture
With MC Miriama Kamo skilfully guiding proceedings.

Here is an excerpt from Michele Powles address:

People often ask me what New Zealand Book Month is all about, what’s it for? Our publishing industry produces a significant number of New Zealand titles, they are read by those who really want to read them, and so what’s the point of a national campaign? The point of course is that there is still a discrepancy between what is published and what makes it onto the shelves of Kiwi readers. For example, last year only 5.5% of all fiction titles bought in New Zealand were published here. The story is slightly better for non fiction and children’s books, but given that New Zealand is always touted as a nation of readers, why are we not reading more Kiwi books? Moreover, unless we alter that trend, we’re in danger of losing our Kiwi writers altogether: the average income for writers is around $15000, and that’s for mid career and established writers.

New Zealand Book Month has at its heart the concept that New Zealander’s are the best at telling New Zealand stories. So what New Zealand Book Month is for, is for you. For you to celebrate and engage with your writers, and your stories. And across the country this year, there are literally thousands of Kiwi’s doing just that. So welcome, please have another drink and thank you for celebrating New Zealand writing.



Pic left - Michele Powles and GM of TVNZ Digital services Eric Kearly






Pic right - Minister Chris Finlayson and Michael Dineen of Buddle Findlay

Pic left - Buddle Findlay Sargeson Fellows Steve Braunias and Julian Novitz, with Barb Clark and Michael Dineen of Buddle Findlay and Chris Cole Catley and Graeme Lay of the Sargeson Trust