Awards first of kind

Press, 19 July 1988, Page 28

Awards first of kind

It is 21 years since the late Sir James Wattie, founder of that great food processing empire, J. Wattie Canneries, instigated the most prestigious of New Zealand literary prizes — the Goodman Fielder Wattie Book Awards.

Formed initially to encourage New Zealand authors to publish their works in their own country rather than, as most were wont to do, overseas, the Awards have flourished and grown, and seen as many name changes as the sponsoring company itself. Originally called The Sir James Wattie Book of the Year Awards, this lengthy title was shortened to the Wattie Book of the Year Awards and later to the Wattie Book Awards. The recent merger between Wattie Industries and Goodman Fielder has, however, seen the name expanded once more to incorporate the Company’s full title and is currently known as the Goodman Fielder Wattie Book Awards. While the history of the Awards has never been formally recorded, documentation about them is extensive. Unfortunately, the only “hole” is quite significant in that the amount of the prize money for the first two years is unknown; the information appears to have been lost en route. It is, however, known that in 1970 first prize was $650, second $250 and third $lOO and, as this was not increased until 1975 we might safely assume

that these amounts were the original. The Goodman Fielder Wattie Book Awards were the first of their kind to be established in New Zealand; indeed, at the time there were no other book awards in place at all.

New Zealand publishers and writers agree that the unswerving support over two decades by the former Wattie company, and which now looks set to continue through newly formed Goodman Fielder Wattie, has been invaluable.

Through the ensuing years, smaller literary awards have come and gone but the Goodman Fielder Wattie Book Awards continue, and are recognised as the richest and most prestigious in the country. In 1988, the Award prize money stands at $29,000 — Ist prize $17,000, 2nd prize $BOOO, and 3rd prize $4OOO — with the total promotional budget exceeding $lOO,OOO. The Awards function has become a glittering occasion. Latterly, one of the requirements placed on publishers entering titles is, that unless their shortlisted authors are out of the country at the time, publishers must ensure that they attend the Award ceremony. This situation has served to charge the atmosphere of the Awards function with excitement and anticipation as all concerned eagerly await the final announcement. The list of prizewinners

over the years reads like a roll call of New Zealand’s most prominent literary artists of recent times. Every major publisher has featured in the lists. If there was any doubt that New Zealand produces an abundance of enthusiastic authors — and publishers who believe in them — it was long ago dispelled by the increasing numbers of entries received each year. Indeed, in 1988 the quality of entries submitted, both in terms of writing and publishing is quite

outstanding. Special reference should also be made to the Book Publishers Association of New Zealand. Since the Goodman Fielder Wattie Book Awards first began the Association has worked diligently to promote its success. The huge promotional funding of Goodman Fielder Wattie combined with the efforts and enthusiasm of the Association have developed the Awards into the premier event on New Zealand’s literary calendar.