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Channel Your Pen Power with 'Get NZ Writing'!

Tuesday 23 June 2015, 3:26PM

By Impact PR

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No matter how many technological advances we make in the world, few things are more exciting, touching, and thoughtful than receiving a handwritten letter from a friend or family member.

From the thrill of finding a letter addressed to you in the letterbox, to the satisfaction of settling down in a favourite spot to read it, pen and paper still hold a special power that can’t be matched with a quick text message or an emoji-heavy email.

To celebrate the continuing importance of the handwritten word, and to encourage Kiwi kids to practice the essential literacy skills that come with writing, the very first ‘Get NZ Writing’ initiative  is being held this year.

Created by Warehouse Stationery, the initiative will see free handwriting kits sent to every primary school in the country to encourage pupils to practice their writing skills and take part in a competition to find New Zealand’s best handwriter.

Three children will be chosen from their age groups as the best handwriters in the letter-writing competition, which will be judged by Kiwi children’s book author Gavin Bishop and well-known theatre writer and actor Miranda Harcourt ONZM.

Bishop, who has written and illustrated 60 children’s picture books and is an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, says the importance of writing and reading cannot be underestimated.

“Reading and writing is the basis of all learning, and there is something very special about being able to compose a handwritten letter that I think helps children and adults really understand the words and concepts they are using,” says Bishop.

“Handwriting has always been important to me. I learned to write with a dip pen at primary school and then when I attended Art School at Canterbury University it was compulsory to learn Italic handwriting. I wasn't very keen on it at the time, but now I am most grateful to have that skill, and it is an asset to be able to hand write a letter on an occasion when a typed or emailed letter will not do.”

Harcourt, a mother of three, says she feels passionate about the written word and has published the literacy and numeracy works Miranda’s Alphabet and Miranda’s Numbers.

“I am a great fan of handwritten letters and cards. Our kids' grandparents love to get family news and views written by their grandchildren. And it makes total sense that the research tells us kids learn better if they write information down.

“I am an actor and we often write out our lines again and again as a way of knowing the text more deeply. One of my favourite things is to illustrate letters, 'illuminated text' they call it. I call it doodling, but whatever the name, putting pen to paper packs an emotional punch for both the writer and the receiver.”

Warehouse Stationery CEO Pejman Okhovat says the new campaign is designed to capture the feel-good factor of writing, which some children may not have a strong connection with due to the increasing use of emails and text messaging to communicate.

“We are committed to helping Kiwi kids learn and develop to the very best of their potential, and we hope this week will ignite enthusiasm in many children for letter-writing and the skills that go along with it.”

The three winners will be announced in August, each will win a $500 Warehouse Stationery voucher for themselves and a $1000 voucher for their school.

As passionate advocates of learning at all ages, Warehouse Stationery will also place post-boxes in stores throughout July to encourage customers to fill out a free postcard, post it to a friend or loved one for free, and receive a special figurine in return.

For more information, see www.warehousestationery.co.nz.