History

'Those of us who set up the Book Council believed that if everyone involved in the world of books could work together, our ideals of improved literacy and a greater love of books and reading would be more readily achieved. Today, the Book Council's success has fulfilled those ideals.'
Dame Fiona Kidman, writer and President of Honour and founding member of the New Zealand Book Council 

The New Zealand Book Council was established in 1972, the UNESCO Year of the Book, to be the non-commercial arm of the literature sector. It was the initiative of bookseller Roy Parsons, Professor Keith Sinclair (Founding President), John Watson, Pat Macaskill, Clarence Beeby and others with our President of Honour Fiona Kidman as the first secretary. These people felt it was time for New Zealand to take part in a worldwide movement to promote books and reading on as many levels as possible. The aim was to target both those who were already enjoying the use and pleasure of books and those who had limited reading skills or access to books.

The Book Council's first campaign in 1973, 'Operation Bookflood', gave books to South Auckland secondary schools. This practical assistance has continued over the years with schemes that have a direct and positive impact on the community.

Practical assistance is also offered to the writers, not only through the Book Council's promotion of their work, but also through the Council's policy of payment for public appearances and school visits. The Book Council considers writing to be a profession, and treats writers accordingly.

Increased membership would allow the Council to expand the number of schools covered by the Writers in Schools programme, and increase the national coverage of writers' tours, resulting in more visits, to more regions, more often. Raising the profile of New Zealand literature remained another important aim, particularly promoting New Zealand books internationally and developing the export market for New Zealand literature.

Today the Book Council is a national organisation and has expanded the size and number of its programmes to reach around 200,000 New Zealanders annually. The website www.bookcouncil.org.nz, which receives over 2 million hits a year, is the most comprehensive site devoted to the language arts in New Zealand.

Since its establishment, the council has played a key advocacy role for the literature sector. It delivers high-quality programmes that support and profile New Zealand writers and writing, and provides opportunities for New Zealanders to become familiar with our literary wealth. The Book Council's programmes for schools introduce New Zealand children at a young age to the enjoyment derived from reading. The Book Council brings books and people together.

• Find out more about the Book Council's strategic priorities today in our Strategic Directions discussion paper.