Owing to an unexpected bereavement, our wonderful CFB manager Stacey Clair has needed to return to Australia.

Alongside the day-to-day business, including Kete Books, during her tenure Stacey oversaw many new initiatives, most notably the introduction of the brilliant New Voices campaign, and the successful launch of Mahi Tahi, the book sector plan. The board and I are so grateful for all her efforts and for the difference that she has made. She will be greatly missed.

With a full year of campaigns ahead of us, the good news is that we have been able to speedily appoint her successor. Libby Kirkby-McLeod will be stepping into the role on 9 March, which we are thrilled about.

Many of you will recognise Libby as the Waikato regional reporter for RNZ, and prior to that had undertaken a variety of roles including work with Copyright Licensing and the Society of Authors. She’s a writer and communications expert bar none, and a previous member of the Coalition.

www.coalitionforbooks.co.nz

www.ketebooks.co.nz

Libby Kirkby-McLeod also returns to NZSA!

Libby Kirkby-McLeod‘s role with the Coalition for Books is part-time, and our happy news is that she also returns to NZSA 2 days a week supporting membership, communications and professional development, now that Meghan Doherty has left to study at IIML.

Libby worked with national office one day a week for some years (when we were still housed at AUT), and alongside support for the 2018 NZSA National Writers Forum and national office, she handled the management and launch of the NZSA Oral History Podcasts, that she has continued to oversee.

Many know Libby as past secretary of the NZSA Auckland branch and she has been a speaker at NZSA Roadshows.