The Publishers Association of New Zealand manages the international market development initiatives for New Zealand literature on behalf of Creative New Zealand. This includes funding for the translation of New Zealand titles into foreign languages.
PANZ has also received support from Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture & Heritage to fund publishers to produce and distribute audiobooks. We are running three rounds of funding and you can find all the details here.
Translation Fund
Creative New Zealand supports the translation of New Zealand literature into foreign languages with the Translation Fund scheme. Administered by the Publishers Association of New Zealand, these grants can contribute up to 50% of the translation cost to a maximum of NZ$5000 per title.
The Translation Fund is administered by PANZ as part of a Contract for Services with Creative New Zealand to deliver Capability Building and International Market Development Initiatives for Literature 2020–2022. You can download an application form online or contact a representative for more information.
As the Earth Turns Silver was the first recipient of the translation grant programme. It was published in March 2011 by Ediciones Siruela with the title Cuando la tierra se vuelve de plata.
Deadlines for applications
We welcome new applications twice a year. Applicants will be notified of the results of their application within four to six weeks of the closing date.
NOTE: Funding is spent down across the calendar year and rounds may not proceed if the funding is used in earlier rounds.
Click on Criteria and Application Form for details of the latest dates.
Eligibility
- Any established foreign publisher purchasing foreign language rights that has an active backlist of no less than four titles, or a New Zealand publishers with a well-regarded publishing programme of New Zealand authors who has partnerships or connections in place to translate books into foreign languages and to distribute and sell books into international markets.
No more than two grants per year will be given to any one publisher. - Sales and translation contracts must be completed and signed at time of application and include a firm commitment to publish regardless of the outcome of the application.
- The translation must be prior to printing stage at time of application.
- Priority will be given to applications that demonstrate alignment with Creative New Zealand’s other international market development activities.
The Project Outcomes of the Audiobook Fund are:
- To support the development of a sustainable and resilient audiobook sector
- To increase commercial opportunities for publishers and writers
- To ensure that a diverse range of readers and listeners have access to New Zealand books in a range of formats
- To promote writers from Aotearoa locally and internationally
PANZ is keen to ensure that this project is as accessible to a range of diverse publishers. If you have any questions at all about the application process, or anything else to do with the project please don’t hesitate to contact Katherine Shanks – Katherine@publishers.org.nz.
Eligibility
We accept applications from:
- Publishers based in Aotearoa New Zealand seeking funding for an audio book written by a citizen or permanent resident of Aotearoa New Zealand.
- Publishers must demonstrate they are the exclusive legal copyright holders for each audiobook they are requesting funding for.
- Publishers with a proven track record and have published a minimum of 5 books which have been successfully distributed in Aotearoa New Zealand.
- Publishers who can confirm that they will meet the PANZ-advised minimum audio specifications and requirements. See page 25 of A Guide to Audiobook Production in Aotearoa.
