Authors’ public lending rights change
This changes the public lending right for New Zealand authors.
Public Lending Right for New Zealand Authors Amendment Regulations 2026
What's changing
- Books will qualify for public lending right payments when they are held in at least 30 New Zealand library copies, instead of 50.
- Underpayments can be corrected from funding available in the following payment year.
- Authors can register again in 2027 for books previously excluded after three surveys below the old 50-copy threshold.
- For eligible books in the 2027 survey, that survey counts as the first survey under the eligibility rules.
Who's affected
New Zealand authors and books held in New Zealand libraries may be affected, especially books with between 30 and 49 copies.
When
The changes come into force on 1 January 2027, including from the 2027 payment year and registration period.
What you might need to do
- Authors may register eligible books again during the 2027 registration period.
- Authors should check whether their books are held in at least 30 New Zealand library copies.
Background
The regulations change the public lending right scheme’s eligibility and payment rules. The explanatory note does not give a reason for lowering the threshold, but says the changes include a way to correct underpayments using the following payment year’s funding.