The Public Lending Right for New Zealand Authors scheme was established by the Public Lending Right for New Zealand Authors Act 2008.

The purpose of the Public Lending Right scheme is to compensate New Zealand authors for the use of their books in public libraries.

About the scheme

The Act set up a statutory scheme to provide annual payments to New Zealand authors in recognition of the fact that their books are available for use in New Zealand libraries. The scheme replaces the New Zealand Authors' Fund and transfers administration from Creative New Zealand to the National Library of New Zealand.

Authors are entitled to receive annual compensation based on the number of copies of their title/s determined to be held in New Zealand public libraries. This is determined by a survey undertaken by the National Library.

Public Lending Right for New Zealand Authors Act – New Zealand Legislation website

Public Lending Right for New Zealand Authors Regulations – New Zealand Legislation website

Registering for the scheme

An author must register with the scheme each year in order to be eligible for payment. The registration period is between 1 January and 30 April each year. Any payment owing is made in mid December.

There will be a transitional period until the end of July 2009, during which the Public Lending Right for New Zealand Authors will continue to be managed from Creative New Zealand, but under the authority of the National Library.

Download the registration form

More information

Send registrations, requests for information and queries to:

Bronwyn Pope

Public Lending Right for New Zealand Authors Coordinator

PO Box 3806

Wellington

Email public-lending-right@natlib.govt.nz

Phone (04) 474 3000