Thursday 5th April 2018
Andrew Butler and Sir Geoffrey Palmer’s ongoing project for constitutional reform took another stride forward on Thursday night with the launch of their new volume, Towards Democratic Renewal, as well as Elizabeth Mcleay’s examination of the forming and legacy of NZ’s electoral act, In Search of Consensus. Unity Books was joined by Victoria University Press and the Law Foundation of New Zealand in a double launch which attracted a cross-generational crowd keen to be part of an ongoing dialogue.
On hand to officially launch the two books was former bookseller Hon Andrew Little. He praised the thorough research of all three authors and applauded the efforts to create debate on constitutional reform across the country, while supporting the concept of a written constitution. Elizabeth McLeay was first to thank the room for a warm reception before thanking Fergus Barrowman and Holly Hunter at VUP for their editorial work. Andrew Butler entertained the crowd with tales from the ‘road show’ which followed the publication of Butler and Palmer’s first volume in the constitution project, Constitution for Aotearoa New Zealand. Sir Geoffrey highlighted, above all else, the need for education on the workings of government, before going on to thank Te Reo translator Kiwa Hammond and assistant Scarlet Roberts for their work on the new book.
Fergus Barrowman of Victoria University Press opens proceedings
MP and onetime bookseller Andrew Little
Sir Geoffrey Palmer
Andrew Butler
Elizabeth McLeay
Kiwa Hammond, translator of the Te Reo text of the draft constitution contained in Towards Democratic Renewal
Assistant Scarlet Roberts was recognised by Sir Geoffrey and Andrew as an integral part of the project
Book signing with a smile
…at either end of the counter.
Towards Democratic Renewal by Geoffrey Palmer & Andrew Butler and In Search of Consensus by Elizabeth McLeay are available now, in store and at Unity Books Online.
More information on the Constitution for Aotearoa New Zealand can be found at: constitutionaotearoa.org.nz
