What is the Public Lending Right scheme?

The Public Lending Right for New Zealand Authors scheme (PLR) was established in 2008, replacing the New Zealand Authors’ Fund established in 1973.

The PLR provides payments for New Zealand authors, in recognition that their books are available for use in New Zealand libraries.

The PLR annual fund of two million dollars is divided among registered authors, based on how many copies of their works are held by libraries and if they meet the eligibility requirements of the Act.

The PLR is administered by the National Library under the Public Lending Right for New Zealand Authors Act 2008 (the Act) and associated Regulations. The National Library is part of the Department of Internal Affairs.

More information about the PLR

Why are we doing this review?

A Department of Internal Affairs’ regulatory review in 2019 identified a need for improvement in multiple areas of the Public Lending Right scheme. The findings of the regulatory review have been endorsed by the PLR Advisory Group.

The New Zealand Society of Authors has also publicly lobbied for improvements to the PLR.

What are we reviewing?

The review is looking at the PLR’s:

• policy intent
• funding
• regulations
• scope, and
• operational procedures.

As part of looking at PLR’s scope, the current exclusion of e-books, audiobooks and school libraries, and the impact of the Marrakesh Treaty is also being considered.

Read the terms of reference for the review PDF, 245KB

What is happening as part of the review?

Consultants are working closely with the New Zealand Society of Authors, New Zealand libraries and other key stakeholders across the sector to ask them about their experience of the PLR.

This will help us better understand how the PLR operates in practice, the key issues of the scheme and identify opportunities for change.

Online survey sent

Sector stakeholders and individuals who have previously registered for the PLR scheme have been contacted to participate in online surveys.

If you wish to participate in the review and have not received an email, please contact plrreview@dia.govt.nz.

Your survey response is public information

Note, any information you provide may be subject to a request under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). People can ask for copies of survey responses and we would have to make them available unless we have good reasons for withholding them. That is explained in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

Tell us if you think there are grounds to withhold specific information in your survey. Reasons might include that it is commercially sensitive or it’s personal information. However, any decision we make to withhold information can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may tell us to release it.

When is the review?

Feedback for the review is being sought during March and April 2020.

Once the review is completed, the Department of Internal Affairs expects to report back to the Minister of Internal Affairs in mid-2020 on the findings of the review and any proposed next steps.

What happens then?

If the review proposes significant changes to the PLR, the Act or the Regulations there will be public consultation before any decisions are made.

How do I know what’s happening?

You can keep up to date with what’s happening on the National Library website.

Any questions?

You can email us if you have questions about the review of the Public Lending Right scheme at plrreview@dia.govt.nz.

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