Celebrate Our City With Winning Writing

Write about why you love Auckland and you could win $1000 in Auckland City¡¦s writing competition.

The theme of the competition is ¡¥Celebrating Our City¡¦. So what makes Auckland special to you? This is a chance for people to write about what they love about the city. It could be a tale from the past, a vision for the future or just something seen every day.

Story writers could be born and bred Aucklanders who have lived here all their lives, or people whose lives have connected with the city in the past.

¡§Each of us has our own view of Auckland. Sometimes it seems as if the fact that we are all so different and diverse is why we like Auckland¡¨, says Auckland City Council¡¦s Attractions Committee chairperson, Councillor Victoria Carter.

¡§You may be living in Invercargill or London now, but still have a story about why you love this city. The world-wide web means we can cast our net for great stories far outside the boundaries of the city.¡¨

Auckland City is staging the competition, in partnership with The New Zealand Herald, as part of its support for the Auckland Writers¡¦ Festival to be held from May 25 to 27 this year.

Original competition entry forms need to be completed and are available either from The New Zealand Herald on Tuesdays and Fridays in April, or if you are outside the Herald Circulation area, look up www.akcity.govt.nz/library for more details and an alternative entry form. Entries close on May 1.

The winner will be announced just prior to the Auckland Writers¡¦ Festival, which will cover wide-ranging topics, including architecture, politics, history, people, the sea and much more.

A top line-up of international writing names, including Amy Tan (Joy Luck Club), Jane Smiley (Horse Heaven and A Thousand Acres) and Joanne Harris (Chocolat) will be taking part. A programme of events is available at www.akwritersfestival.co.nz

ENDS

For further information, please contact:
* Councillor Victoria Carter, tel: 529 1121 or 025 377 018 or
* Christine Gilchrist, Events Promotion, Auckland City, tel: 353 9506.

Competition Details
Write About Your Auckland and Win $1000!

Auckland City ¡V ¡¥Celebrating our City'

We want to hear about your favourite corner of our city. Tell us a story about why you love Auckland. We want to hear about what makes your patch special. It might be the area you live in, a building you love, the people in it. It could be a tale from the past, a vision for the future or just something you see every day. Most of all, we want to see the city ¡V through your eyes.

To enter:
„h You must be 18 years of age or over.
„h You must attach an original entry form from The New Zealand Herald to your manuscript. Photocopies will not be accepted.
„h Entry forms will be published Tuesdays and Fridays in the Herald in April.
„h You do not have to be an Auckland City resident.

Your story must be:
„h Up to 1000 words.
„h Set in Auckland.
„h All entries must be received by 5pm Tuesday 1st May.
„h Winning entry will be published in The New Zealand Herald.
„h More information available on www.akcity.govt.nz/library Website access available from all Auckland City libraries.
„h Queries call (09) 379 2020.

Terms and Conditions:
„h Entries are only valid if details are completed on the original The New Zealand Herald Entry Form (photocopies not accepted).
„h Writer¡¦s name must not appear on the story.
„h Manuscripts must be typed and double-spaced on A4 paper.
„h You may enter as many times as you like, but include original entry form as above for each entry.
„h Your story must not have been previously published.
„h All entries remain the property of Auckland City Council and may be used in communications or marketing material.
„h Photocopies are accepted. Manuscripts not returned.
„h Auckland City staff and The New Zealand Herald staff are not eligible to enter.
„h If you live outside the Herald circulation area, attach a separate sheet with name, phone no and address to your manuscript.

Winning Entry:
„h Winner will be advised verbally before the Writers¡¦ Festival (25-27 May 2001).
„h Winner will be given $1000 and have their story published in The New Zealand Herald.
„h There is only one winner and no correspondence will be entered into following judges¡¦ decision.
„h If the winner chooses to pick up prize personally, travel to Auckland City, accommodation and other expenses at winner¡¦s own cost.
„h If winner elects not to come to Auckland to collect the prize the cheque will be forwarded by mail.

The New Zealand Herald and Auckland City proudly support the Auckland Writers¡¦ Festival 2001, to be held 25-27 May 2001.

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