World Book and Copyright Day

World Book and Copyright Day History

World Book and Copyright Day celebrates literature and the promotion of reading, publishing, and the protection of intellectual property rights through copyright. This day also seeks to underline the fundamental role of books in enlightening minds, breaking down barriers between people, and fostering peace, dialogue and cooperation amongst individuals and communities.

The concept of World Book and Copyright Day was born at the 1995 UNESCO General Conference, and it has been recognised globally, including in New Zealand, since 23 April 1996. For New Zealanders, this day holds particularly special significance as it champions the wealth of exceptional talent found within the nation's literary scene – from local authors, illustrators and publishers. Through celebrating this day, New Zealand also emphasises the importance of respecting and acknowledging the intellectual property rights of those involved in the literary field.

In New Zealand, World Book and Copyright Day is commemorated with a variety of events, each geared towards both adults and children. These may include book reading sessions, literary discussions, workshops and other educational activities in libraries, schools, and cultural centres across the country. Participation in such events help the Kiwis to recognise and appreciate the power of the written word and the importance of protecting authors' rights. World Book and Copyright Day is observed annually on 23rd April, aiming to magnify the importance of books, promoting a passion for literature, and safeguarding creative outputs.

Facts about World Book and Copyright Day

• Each year, UNESCO chooses a World Book Capital. In 2025, the World Book Capital was Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
  In 2024 it was Strasbourg, France.
  In 2023 it was Accra, Ghana, located in West Africa.
• UNESCO holds an event every year at their headquarters. Workshops for the young are conducted by booksellers, publishers and artists. The topics include illustration, bookbinding, typography, manga, and more.
• New Zealand also has a unique native language, Te Reo Maori, and World Book and Copyright day is also a day that celebrates literature in this language. Various organizations host events aimed at promoting the written and spoken usage of Te Reo, maintaining the life and health of this facet of New Zealand’s culture.
• Generally, the copyright period in New Zealand lasts for 50 years after the author's death. For anonymous or pseudonymous works, the copyright lasts for 25 years from the end of the calendar year in which the work was first made available.

In the News and Trending in NZ for World Book and Copyright Day

Top things to do in NZ for World Book and Copyright Day

• Dress your children in costumes related to their favorite books. Check out these great examples.
• Why not try a comic book? There are comic books for everyone, and they can be a good alternative for children who don't enjoy regular books. Get them started on comic books with characters they already like from the movies.
• Visit the set from the "Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" films, based on J.R.R. Tolkien's famous books. The town of Matamata is transformed into the Shire, and fans of the series can get a behind-the-scenes look at the film.
• Read a book to learn more about Books and Copyright laws in New Zealand:
  1) New Zealand Film and Television: Institution, Industry and Cultural Change - by Trisha Dunley and Hester Joyce
  2) Intellectual Property Law in New Zealand - by Susy Frankel and Daniel Gervais