Shock Resignation Shakes NZ's Literary Scene

By Steve Whitehouse - Scoop - Culture - August 16, 2012

New Zealand's world of books is reeling today after the manager of the national literary team announced he was stepping down after the failure of any of the squad to make the Booker Prize long list.
At a packed press conference in Cambridge, C.K.Stratford said the development was "more than disappointing." He believes "it is time to make way for new ideas to rejuvenate the team" which has received $2.3 million in lottery, Arts Council and government funding since 2009.
"The days when entries had to have correct grammar and make sense have passed," said Mr Stratford. "What we need is new blood -- possibly a post modernist. Also, we're not quite sure where the money has gone"
New Zealand's literary team has been surrounded with controversy in recent months. The national entry to the International Improvised Conversation Competition in Lausanne, Switzerland, was last week stripped of his gold medal following the results of blood tests. These showed that Aucklander Kevin Mitchell had no alcohol in his blood immediately before and after the event, giving him what the event's Supreme Council described as "an unfair advantage".

Full piece at Scoop.