23 May 2002

Authors, Literature Benefit From $1 Million Budget Boost

Green MP Sue Bradford today welcomed a Budget initiative promoted by the Greens and agreed by the Government which provides an extra $1 million to help support literature in New Zealand.

As an initial step, a working party from the Ministry for Culture and Heritage and Creative New Zealand, will make recommendations in consultation with a group of eminent writers on how this money will be spent.

"The Greens have been concerned for a long time about the difficulties many New Zealand writers have in sustaining themselves long-term, particularly in regards to the low level of support available through the Author's Fund.

"We are therefore delighted to have been able to work with the Government to secure this extra funding, even though we believe long-term there are a lot more resources needed," said Sue Bradford.

"New Zealand authors are among the best in the world. Supporting existing writers and nurturing new talent is important to the Green Party and our involvement in this initiative is evidence of that. This Budget initiative will increase expenditure on literature by around 40 per cent per annum."

The group will consider how best to use additional funds to support authors and literature in light of the recent review by Creative New Zealand of the Authors Fund, in order to deliver a more effective and sustainable scheme.

The working party will also examine broader issues surrounding support for authors at different stages of their careers as well as ways to expand the domestic and international markets for New Zealand literature.

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