The Great Booksellers of Wellington – A Declaration of Independents (Dominion Post)

The cultural relevance and intellect of a city can always be judged by the health of its independent bookselling community, and on that criteria alone Wellington is
not just the country’s political capital but the undisputed literary capital as well.

Not only does it have a wide and diverse range of independent bookshops, it also has the best, with vastly more industry awards over the last decade being won by
Wellington bookshops than anywhere else in New Zealand.

It has been said that good bookshops handpick their customers, and when readers make an enquiry with an independent bookseller, the person serving you is likely to be the person who owns the store. This commitment combined with a deep regard for books gives each of the stores a certain atmosphere that reflects their values and personality.

The independent booksellers offer great service simply because service, books and people matter most. This is best demonstrated in the close and warm collegiality that exists between the independent booksellers of Wellington, which will often see them ringing each other to find a copy of that “urgent” book for a customer, regularly meeting to share their knowledge, or just socializing together with local authors and publishers.

Vehemently anti-censorship, they seek out and stock books that encourage debate, and are as happy discussing obscure ideas as they are recommending their personal favourites, or helping readers to find new authors and genres to keep them informed and entertained. They attract and employ knowledgeable, informed staff, readers all of them, who live and breathe books. But what really sets them apart is their support and commitment to their community.

Whether they are promoting the first literary efforts of up-and coming local authors, hosting book launches, sponsoring literary events, or providing prizes for school fairs, you will often find your independent bookseller way beyond their usual precinct.

Regardless of size or locality, each of the independent booksellers has its own special characteristics. Of the general booksellers Unity has always been a bit quirky and political. Although there is some crossover in their stock, specialisation dominates the rest of the group; vicbooks is number one for university texts, Parsons has a cafe and sells music, Millwood Gallery in Tinakori Road has, since 1981, combined books with NZ art, Capital Books stocks practical and technical books, Te Papa Store offers uniquely New Zealand books and Pinnacle Books represents spirituality, health and new age.

Away from the central city, The Children’s Bookshop in Kilbirnie caters for the children’s, teen and educational market, Marsden Books in Karori has a strong
local and author event focus, and Bookfeast in Jackson Street, Petone is a cookbook specialist. In the seaside suburbs, Eastbourne’s Rona Gallery is both a bookshop and an art gallery, and scene@plimmerton is a boutique book and artisan gift store.

As diverse as they are, the selection and depth of their books is unsurpassed. They are famous for their artful placement of books in sub-themes, and for creating unexpected juxtapositions amongst the shelves. Some people call it chaotic charm.

Their in-depth knowledge really comes into its own when hunting down those hard-to-find books, the long past childhood favourite, the obscure overseas title or the classic request, “it was blue and about an astronaut”.

Their investment in the latest bibliographic and inventory systems, combined with the collective memory of their longserving staff and their innovative use of various research techniques can often unearth a forgotten gem. The capital’s cognescenti rely on this network of independent booksellers and many feel a sense of ownership, introducing new customers from amongst their friends, and keeping a close eye on their viability. Such diligence has its rewards for both parties. All of Wellington’s independent bookstores have survived the economic downturn in rude good health.

Never mundane, often remarkable, with their bookclubs, exchange cards, Booksellers NZ and individual book tokens, loyalty schemes and newsletters, entering these bookshops is a rich experience.

The Great Independent Booksellers of Wellington:
Back Row | Wendy Pharazyn (Rona Gallery), Richard Ponder (Rona Gallery), Ruth McIntyre (The Children’s Bookshop), John McIntyre (The Children’s Bookshop), Julian Parsons (Parsons Books and Music), Colin McFetridge (Te Papa Store), Murray Pillar (Millwood Gallery), Darran Gillies (Te Papa Store)
Middle Row | Laurel Chiles (Pinnacle Books), Colin Chiles (Pinnacle Books), Anna
Hunt (Marsden Books), Cherie Barcham (Scene@Plimmerton), Tim Skinner (Capital
Books), Yvonne Bassett (Bookfeast).
Front Row | Beatrice Parsons (Parsons Books and Music), Tilly Lloyd (Unity Books),
Marion Castree (Unity Books), Karen McLeod (Vic Books), Lauren Pratt (Vic Books).