The Publishers Association of New Zealand condemns the ban on the sale and distribution of Ted Dawe’s Into the River.
As an Association we stand behind the right of Ted Dawe to assert his freedom of expression through his prize-winning words, the right of his publisher Penguin Random House to sell and distribute them, and especially the right of readers to access and enjoy his much-lauded novel.
PANZ President, Melanie Laville-Moore stated, “Into the River is a highly regarded piece of literature, charged with influencing and changing the lives of many of its teenage male readers. This is an unprecedented and extreme action by the Film and Literature Board of Review. Banning books is not the New Zealand way.”
The Association applauds the New Zealand writing, library and bookseller communities for standing firm on this most important of issues. PANZ calls for a review of current legislation and encourages others to request the same.
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For media enquiries please contact PANZ Association Director Anne de Lautour
Email: anne@publishers.org.nz
Ph: +64 9 280 3212
Mob: +64 21 646 311
