Geoff Walker farewelled in style at Penguin

Last evening I was fortunate to be among a large and happy crowd of book trade friends, (authors, editors,designers, photographers,literary agents, other publishers) and colleagues past and present who gathered at the Penguin Books NZ offices on Auckland's North Shore to celebrate the hugely successful 25 years of Geoff Walker's publishing with the company. (pic left-The Press). Geoff is stepping down to follow other publishing interests.

Penguin NZ CEO Margaret Thompson (pic right)launched the formal part of the evening when she warmly addressed Geoff and the crowd with the following remarks:

"Welcome everyone and thank you for coming along to farewell our friend and colleague, Geoff Walker.

Although Geoff is not leaving us until the 17th December, tonight we want to celebrate his achievements and acknowledge his contribution to Penguin and the NZ literary community over the last 25 years.

This is an historical day for Penguin NZ. The company began operating in 1973 in Wairau Road, primarily as a distributor for imported books. We began to publish a small local list in the late 70s, early 80s and then Geoff was recruited from Reed in 1985. He immediately began to grow and expand the list and to produce a wide and notable range of award- winning fiction and non-fiction. A feature of the list was books by Maori writers, including Patricia Grace and Ranginui Walker.

So whilst Penguin NZ has been around for 37 years, Geoff has been a major part of it for 25. He has been Publishing Director for most of that time, one of only two directors of the company and under his stewardship the NZ list has grown to currently contribute 30% of the company’s annual revenue.

Geoff has grown a New Zealand list to be proud of. He has developed relationships with many of NZ’s major authors . Lloyd Jones, Michael King, Maurice Gee, Patricia Grace, Witi Ihimaera, Anne Salmond, James Belich, Andrew Crowe, Joy Cowley, Alexa Johnson, Julie Le Clerc, Allyson Gofton, Peta Matthias…..just to name a few.



Each year he has identified new talent and brought them on board…….Laurence Fearnley, Paula Morris,(pic left), Linda Olsson, Charlotte Randall, Vanda Symon, Alix Bosco and many others.

Then there are the books, so many wonderful books:

Potiki
The Book of Fame
Going West
Bulibasha
Making Peoples
Trial of the Cannibal Dog
Sir Edmund Hillary, an Extraordinary life
Sir Peter Blake, an Amazing Life
Blindsight
Tu
Mister Pip, shortlisted for the Booker
Let me sing you Gentle songs
Edwin and Matilda


And the Michael King History of NZ, which has sold in excess of 250,000 copies, truly amazing on a global scale.

Just a small sample of Geoff’s contribution to the readers of NZ and in some cases the world.
For of course Geoff has sold many of his books into the International market, to our sister Penguin companies, foreign language rights and to other publishers around the world.

And then there are the awards, over the years Geoff and his authors have brought home an impressive number of all the major literary awards available to NZ writers.

Geoff has been the face of Penguin in the NZ literary community, he has forged strong relationships with his authors and agents and is highly respected by his peers within the publishing industry, both locally and abroad. He has been a mentor for many young editors and a fount of knowledge and wisdom for those who have worked for him and with him, always giving generously of his time and experience.

He has played a major role in putting the cultural identity of NZ on the publishing map and this was acknowledged in 2007 when he was made a member of the Order of New Zealand for his services to the publishing industry.

Geoff is passionate about NZ culture and the voice of NZ and he has always brought the best of that to Penguin. Everything he has done has been done with energy, intelligence, passion and style. He is truly professional and always a gentleman.

The core values for Penguin people are to be brave, decent and imaginative. I’m sure you will agree that Geoff is all of that and more.

Geoff,
Thank you for your 25 years of commitment and contribution, to Penguin and to the readers of NZ. Although you are leaving Penguin your legacy will remain forever.
We wish you health, happiness and success as you embark on the next step in your journey".

Footnote:
Very well put Margaret, a fitting tribute, and as the person responsible for appointing Geoff at Penguin Books all those years ago I take huge pleasure and pride in observing Geoff's long reign and the enormously impressive list he has put together. As you say, his legacy will live on.
Congratulations Geoff, we salute you.

Several members of the audience addressed Geoff after Margaret had spoken including veteran book trade personality Ray Richards who told us that he first brought Geoff Walker into the publishing industry by employing him at AH & AW Reed. At the time Geoff was a gardener working in the Botanical Gardens in Wellington.