Question: What is the Public Lending Right and how can I register for it?

Answer: The Public Lending Right was formerly known as The Authors' Fund and was set up in 1973 to compensate authors for royalties lost through the borrowing of their books from public libraries. It became known as the Public Lending Right (PLR) scheme in 2008. Through the scheme, everyone benefits - readers get the opportunity to read books they may not be able to afford, and authors are supported for the estimated loss of income through lower sales and therefore encouraged to keep writing.

To qualify for support through the Public Lending Right you need to have at least 50 copies of your book held in public libraries. 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 madein mid December.  You can download the registration form from here http://www.natlib.govt.nz/catalogues/library-documents/plr-registration-2009 .  Registration forms and enquiries should be directed to Bronwyn Pope, public-lending-right@natlib.govt.nz Phone 04 473 0880. 

Question:  How will the changes to The Public Lending Right affect me?

Answer: In May 2008 the Labour-led Government announced changes to the Authors' Fund following extensive lobbying by the New Zealand Society of Authors (PEN NZ Inc.). The Authors' Fund was now to be known as The Public Lending Right and would receive a further $500,000 from the 2008 budget. This has raised the Book Rate more than 25%, to $2.65 from $2.09 in 2007. The Public Lending Right for New Zealand Authors Act was passed in October 2008 and from 1 January 2009 has been administered  by the National Library of New Zealand.

Most of the existing criteria and guidelines for the Authors' Fund have been incorporated in the regulations to the Act. The Act, Supplementary Order Paper and Regulations are appended.

Further details can be found at http://www.natlib.govt.nz/services/national-collaborative-services/plr 

NZSA is actively involved in the development and oversight of the PLR.   An Advisory Group has been established under the new legislation and this includes two members representing NZSA.  At its first meeting in September 2009, NZSA Vice President, Dr Philip Temple, was elected chair. The Advisory Group will review and discuss all matters relevant to the PLR in New Zealand and provide advice for its operation to the Chief Executive of the National Library.

Question: I am the joint author of a book. How do I go about registering for the Public Lending Right?

Answer: As long as the book qualifies for the Fund as a joint author you are entitled to a share of the payment for that book. The criteria stipulates that a book will qualify with up to three authors. You will each need to register individually. Where only one of the authors is registered they can still only claim their legitimate share of the payment. Contact Bronwyn Pope  public-lending-right@natlib.govt.nz  Phone 04 473 0880. for more information.

Question: Will I still be eligible for payments under the Public Lending Right if I go to live outside New Zealand?

Answer: Public Lending Right eligibility is now linked to the Inland Revenue definition of residency.  You are a tax resident in New Zealand if you:
•are in New Zealand for more than 183 days in any 12-month period, or
•have an "enduring relationship" with New Zealand.

A person who has a "permanent place of abode" in New Zealand is a New Zealand tax resident. "Permanent place of abode" is not just the dwelling that you live in - it covers all your social, physical, economic or personal ties and links with New Zealand.

If you are a resident in both Australia and New Zealand, the double tax agreement (DTA) between these two countries states that you will be a resident of the country where a permanent home is available to you.  For further information visit http://www.ird.govt.nz/yoursituation-bus/bus-aust-nz/tax-basics/res/tax-basics-tax-res.html