PrintNZ hits the road for national book launch

PrintNZ kicked off its centenary book launch tour for Ink In Our Veins this week with an opening celebration in Christchurch.

Drawing over 80 print industry members, the launch saw people from all sectors of the industry gather as PrintNZ president, Warren Leslie, spoke about the challenges that have affected the industry over the last 100 years and the work that PrintNz carries out for the industry.

Guest speaker, John Waller, chief executive of the Canterbury Manufacturers Association, then spoke of the CMA's long relationship with PrintNZ and the importance of print to the economy.

"We were really pleased with the turnout," said Joan Grace, PrintNZ chief executive (pictured below). "We have had a lot of positive comments about the book and the importance of recording this history."

Ink In Our Veins: PrintNZ 1908-2008 is a 96-page case-bound book that takes a look at the issues and events affecting the industry over the last 100 years and features interviews with 19 industry personalities, from the most recent Apprentice of the Year to the founder of Wickliffe Press, Stuart Sidey who sadly has since passed away. 

The official book launch in Christchurch was held at a venue close to where the first Federated Master Printers Association meeting was held in 1908. The book launch tour will now travel to the regions following the schedule below, with all members having received an invitation.

Grace said she expected the following book launches to be just as successful. "I think it will be an important celebration in each of our centres," she said.
"It goes back to taking our organisation out there to members so they can each attend."

The PrintNZ Centenary Book Launch Tour makes its way across New Zealand on the following dates:
Date            Region
29 February    Nelson   
3 March           Wellington
4 March           Palmerston North
5 March           New Plymouth
6 March           Napier
7 March           Tauranga
10 March         Hamilton
11 March         Auckland
12 March         Whangarei

Pictured: Grant Chellew (PrintNZ Board) and Graham Fear (PrintNZ Training Board
Chairman) with the centenary book.