Sarah McMillan/cvnznews.com
New Zealand’s book sector says the country is standing on the edge of a major opportunity — one that could lift literacy, energise local publishing, and put Kiwi stories back at the centre of national culture. The message from the Coalition for Books is clear: the next three years will define the future of New Zealand literature, and the next government has the power to spark a nationwide reading revival.
Coalition chair Melanie Laville‑Moore says New Zealanders already have a strong appetite for reading, and research consistently shows that reading participation boosts life outcomes, economic productivity and social wellbeing. But despite this, the sector itself has been held back by fragmented support, outdated legislation and offshore purchasing practices that weaken local industry.
The Coalition has outlined four priorities it believes could transform the landscape. The first is strategic, long‑term funding — a shift away from piecemeal grants toward a coordinated approach that treats books as a cultural asset, just as music and film are supported through dedicated commissions.
The second is a bold national initiative: a New Zealand Year of Reading, a co‑funded campaign designed to get more New Zealanders reading New Zealand books. Similar programmes overseas have lifted literacy rates and boosted local publishing. The sector says it’s time for New Zealand to join its international peers.
The final priorities fall squarely on government action: modernising the Copyright Act, updating Public Lending Right settings, and introducing legislation to address AI’s impact on creative work. The Coalition also wants ministries and libraries to stop contracting offshore book wholesalers, arguing that local purchasing would strengthen the domestic ecosystem — just as government directives have done for New Zealand wool.
Laville‑Moore says these changes are achievable and would deliver immediate benefits. “Any government that helps us reach these goals is backing a future full of readers,” she says.
The sector’s challenge is simple: will the next government seize the moment and help unleash a reading boom for all New Zealanders?
