Politicians on Writing: The Shape of New Zealand’s’ Literary Environment

Politicians create the rules defining our working environment. That is why President of The New Zealand Society of Authors (PEN NZ Inc.), Tony Simpson, (pic left).will join a panel of sitting MPs to debate major issues affecting the working environment for New Zealand’s professional writers.

This annual event will take place on Monday, October 12 at the Thistle Inn, 3 Mulgrave Street, Wellington. The Panellists consist of Hon Jim Anderton, Hon Steve Chadwick, Catherine Delahunty, Hon Peter Dunne and Paul Quinn.

Event co-ordinator, Kevin Cudby comments “By engaging the politicians in open public debate we can discover their attitude toward the existing and future political framework governing our working environment. This year’s panel has several new faces because most political parties have reshuffled their MPs’ portfolios. We might hope that fresh thinking will lead to new solutions to the vexing problems of taxation, funding, and Internet publication. I am confident we will see a very lively discussion.”

The debate will be moderated by Doug Wilkins, an American writer who lives and works in Wellington.
The Panel will address a series of pre-prepared questions, followed by questions and answers session from the audience. Bring along your questions, and take part in this once a year opportunity to make a difference to the literary community

The New Zealand Society of Authors (PEN NZ Inc.) cordially invites all writers and literary scholars to attend this important event.