Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Books

New Zealand’s Guest of Honour presence at the Taipei International Book Exhibition (TIBE) had a strong education flavour as Education New Zealand staff and six education publishers participated alongside a cast of leading New Zealand authors and other New Zealand publishers.

Education New Zealand contributed $100,000 to New Zealand organiser Publishers Association of New Zealand (PANZ) to support the participation of the Wendy Pye Group, ESA Publications; MJA Publishing; Lanky Hippo Publishing; the New Zealand Council for Educational Research; and Clean Slate Press at TIBE held over 11 – 16 February 2015.

TIBE is the largest book fair in Asia and acts as a gateway to the region. In 2014, TIBE had more than 500,000 visitors, over 1,000 events for visitors or publishers, more than 700 domestic and international reporters and 423 international publishing houses in attendance. 

This year TIBE brought in free entry for school-aged children, which was expected to boost visitor numbers as well as providing an expanded audience for Education New Zealand’s “Study in New Zealand” messaging.

New Zealand’s Guest of Honour status ensured that we received prime positioning within the fair venue as well as enhanced interest and attention from media; Taiwan authorities; and industry representatives seeking to buy rights. 

A wide-ranging programme included strong publisher presence, public presentations, kapa haka performances, carving by the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Council/Ngā Kete Tuku Iho, a visiting author programme, and offsite events including an art exhibition. The eye-catching New Zealand Pavilion – in a design of three Māori tokotoko (orator’s sticks) – exemplified New Zealand’s “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Books” theme.

“Education New Zealand has previously supported our education publishers’ attendance at such key international trade events, as it gives them the opportunity to explore new markets and opportunities in a dedicated business setting”, said ENZ’s Business Development Manager, Adele Bryant.

“Dame Wendy Pye was busy at her stand following up leads she attributed to attendance at Frankfurt 2012 where New Zealand was also Guest of Honour and ENZ supported education publishers.”

Above: Dame Wendy Pye and a young Taiwanese student demonstrating one of Wendy’s education tools.

While the delegation of education publishers represented a mix of experienced and new exporters, all were united in having high-quality products that represented New Zealand's reputation for innovation and quality education. 

“ENZ support for TIBE and earlier scoping visits to Hong Kong and Seoul has helped profile our strengths in education publishing to Asian publishers. The New Zealand delegation has been able to understand how their product can better fit the market as well as meet new business leads”, said Adele.

ENZ’s Regional Director – Greater China, Alexandra Grace, also delivered presentations profiling New Zealand as a high-quality education destination that fosters innovation and creativity in its students.

“It was inspiring to deliver these presentations as part of New Zealand’s Guest of Honour programme”, said Alex.

“Being part of a programme that included such creative and talented New Zealanders as Eleanor Catton, Witi Ihimaera, and Joy Cowley – not to mention our education publishers, who are seeking to inspire, delight, and educate children around the world with their innovative learning tools – was a real buzz. Their presence complemented perfectly the message I was seeking to make about New Zealand as a place where ideas and talent are nurtured and developed.”

“I was also able to point to Eleanor Catton and Witi Ihimaera – both of whom teach at Manukau Institute of Technology – as being event-appropriate examples of how New Zealand delivers applied education in a way that is closely linked to industry.”

Education New Zealand will continue to work with TIBE participants and other education publishers to assist them in finding opportunities to promote their products, skills and expertise offshore; as well as working to promote New Zealand as an education destination of choice to students from Taiwan.

For further information on New Zealand’s participation at this year’s Taiwan International Book Exhibition, visit: www.publishers.org.nz

To find out about other connections our education publishers made on their way to Taipei, read here. 

Below: Inside the NZ pavilion ENZ Regional Director – Greater China, Alex Grace, presents on the strengths of NZ education publishing.