Free Kiwi books may be travelling your way

11 August 2011

Free Kiwi books may be travelling your way !

New Zealand Post is pleased to be supporting a programme which will see thousands of free books delivered to a wide array of communities across the country – in aid of promoting literacy.

The books, all by New Zealand authors, have been purchased by Literacy Aotearoa with support from New Zealand Post – and boxes of around 50 assorted books will be delivered to Literacy Aotearoa branches in 43 parts of New Zealand.

New Zealand Post, which also sponsors the national Book Awards and Children’s Book Awards, has a strong tradition of support for promoting reading, and Literacy Aotearoa was a natural partner for this project – dubbed “Travelling Books to New Zealand Communities”.

The books, which will be released throughout New Zealand over the coming week, include both fiction and non-fiction, and children’s to adult.

Improving literacy is a priority for both organisations, and the Travelling Books project aims to raise the profile of literacy as an activity that both communities and businesses can contribute to and benefit from, New Zealand Post’s Group Sponsorship Manager Nicola Airey said today.

“This is a fun and innovative way to promote reading amongst New Zealanders, by making books available to those who may not be able to access them. The concept is that you read the book, then pass it on for someone else to enjoy, so it also reinforces positive activities such as sharing and recommending books to others,” Nicola Airey said.

Literacy Aotearoa CEO, Bronwyn Yates says both organisations hope that Travelling Books will encourage reading, inspire potential writers and enhance community spirit through the sharing of books.

“It’s a simple way of getting the message out there that there are untold new worlds to be discovered within the pages of books, and it doesn’t matter whether you’re young or old, rich or poor – these are worlds you can travel to for exciting new adventures and experiences,” Bronwyn said.

“And by the way, if you, or someone you know, needs help with reading, writing, communicating or maths, call Literacy Aotearoa on 0800 678 910,” Bronwyn added.

More than 2,400 books are being distributed across communities in: Auckland, Nelson, Palmerston North, Paraparaumu, Levin, Christchurch, Ashburton, Westport, Kaitaia, Gore, Tauranga, Dunedin, Thames, Napier, Porirua, Fielding, Blenheim, Oamaru, North Shore, Rotorua, Timaru, Taupo, Turangi, Hamilton, Masterton, Greymouth, Whangarei, Upper Hutt, Featherston, Invercargill, New Plymouth, Dannevirke, Wairoa, Dargaville, Gisborne, Lower Hutt, Wanganui, Tokoroa, Waiheke Island, Waitakere City and Te Kuiti.

The Travelling Books project is being launched tonight (Thursday 11 August).

ENDS

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