Alan Duff fails to pay creditors - report

The deadline has passed but New Zealand author Alan Duff has reportedly failed to make a single payment in the bailout plan agreed to by creditors whom he owes $3.6 million.

The 59-year-old writer, who is living in France, will now face court action as soon as he steps back in the country, one creditor told the Dominion Post today.

Duff avoided being declared bankrupt two years ago when all but one of his 25 creditors agreed to a proposal giving him until last month to pay the debts.

He moved to France in late 2008 in an effort to write his way out of debt and has since published two novels, Dreamboat Dad and Who Sings for Lu?

Fewer than 3000 copies of both books sold, according to Neilsen Bookscan. Duff has rejected that figure.

He is expected to release a third novel later this year.

Duff has made several trips home to Hawke's Bay. He joined the prestigious Hastings Golf Club last summer, sparking outrage among his creditors.

However, he said a friend had paid the membership and he had been living frugally, mostly off his wife's income.

John Waymouth, a lawyer for Mutual Finance, which is owed $36,000, said yesterday that the company would pursue Duff as soon as he returned to New Zealand. Serving papers on Duff in France would be costly and "we are waiting developments from other major creditors before committing more bad money after good", Mr Waymouth said.

Duff could not be contacted for comment.

- NZPA