Publisher axes staff as distribution shifts to Oz

Pearson Australia and New Zealand CEO David Barnett said its education business here would close in August. Photo / Getty Images

Jobs will be lost in New Zealand at book publishers HarperCollins and Pearson after the companies yesterday announced intentions to close some operations.

An announcement was sent to HarperCollins NZ staff yesterday confirming the company's decision to end distribution here and supply the New Zealand market out of Australia from the end of July, Australia and New Zealand CEO James Kellow said.

Pearson Australia and New Zealand CEO David Barnett said its education business here would close in August.

Marketing communications manager at HarperCollins Sandra Noakes would not confirm how many positions were to go, or the number of employees affected.

There would be an opportunity to apply for a number of new positions within the company, she said.

"One distribution facility for HarperCollins ANZ is more cost effective than two," she said.

"It's been a time of great change within industry: for example, we've seen a rise in digital sales, mirrored by a decline in physical book sales."

Mr Kellow said: "We remain committed to publishing New Zealand books for New Zealand readers, and look forward to maintaining a local publishing programme in the future.

"We will now start the search for new premises for HarperCollins NZ on Auckland's North Shore for our ongoing publishing, sales and marketing communications team."

The company moved into its premises in View Rd, Glenfield, in 1977.

Mr Kellow said general manager Graham Mitchell would stay on until the transition was completed and Mrs Noakes and national sales manager Matthew Simpson would stay on indefinitely.

Mr Barnett said: "We will continue to support our customers in New Zealand via a local distributor, who will sell our products in the marketplace.

"However, over the last few years it has become clear that our current business model is no longer appropriate."