Acknowledgements
The decision to develop this site grew out of the work of a Book Council committee comprising scholar Dr Lydia Wevers, VUP publisher Fergus Barrowman, poet Chris Price, author Helen Beaglehole, Victoria University academic Dr Paul Millar, and Book Council Past Director Karen Ross.
The site's navigation structure was designed by Paul Millar, who also constructed the site.
The site is now in its second generation. The graphic design for the first generation of the site was done by Rongo Wong.
The graphic design for the current site has been done by Hamish Thompson. Email hamish@htdesign.co.nz
Most of the key information on the site was prepared by Kate Camp. Writer entries not written for the Oxford Companion to New Zealand Literature have been written by Kate Camp, Laura Kroestch, Kirsten McDougall, Sarah Hughes, and Justine Clifton.
Much of the vision for the site has come from Karen Ross, who has found enough from the Book Council's scarce resources to keep the site growing.
Oxford University Press Australia and New Zealand provided the heart of the 'New Zealand Writers' section with 150 author entries reprinted from the Oxford Companion to New Zealand Literature, (Ed. Roger Robinson and Nelson Wattie). By making these entries available (in excess of 150,000 words) OUP’s intention is to underline its commitment to New Zealand Literature.
A site of this scope (built on a limited budget) can only come about through the commitment and energy of a wide range of people. Vital financial assistance has come in the form of a substantial bequest to the Book Council from the estate of L.B. Kain, with top-up funding coming from Creative New Zealand. Victoria University’s Professor Roger Robinson has played two key roles: as editor of the Oxford Companion to New Zealand Literature (with Dr Nelson Wattie) he has assisted in arranging funding to allow the Book Council to negotiate purchase of copyright material, and as Victoria University’s Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Academic) his support has been vital in the process of negotiating the arrangement for the University to host the site.
In addition to the Book Council committee mentioned above, our administrator at the time, poet Kate Camp, has produced much of the copy for the main pages; Francesca Hilbron, who came in contact with the Book Council through the community work scheme, developed comprehensive systems for contacting and extracting information about their activities from publishers, authors and literary organisations; when Francesca went on to better (paying) things, a book-loving volunteer, Susie Clarke, took over the task.
Victoria University has played a vital role in hosting the site. Given the likelihood of substantial traffic, it is a decision that underscores the University’s commitment to the cultural life of New Zealand, in particular its literary achievements. The support of Web Manager Mark Ryan has been invaluable.
Assistance has also come from Victoria University's School of English, Film and Theatre, in particular its Chairperson Dr Brian Opie.
Kay Nicholls has provided valuable support and feedback.
