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Bankruptcy proceedings against Alan Duff were adjourned in the High Court at Napier yesterday to allow time for creditors to consider a proposal from the author.
Auckland finance firm Mutual Finance is seeking to recover $36,156.08 from Duff in relation to a loan he took out two years ago to buy a Havelock North property.
Another creditor, Lloyd Duckworth, has withdrawn proceedings.
Mutual Finance's lawyer John Waymouth said the firm was determined to collect its debt and in lieu of payment would seek access to Duff's royalties.
"If Duff has no money then we will be seeking his assets to be seized," he told The Dominion Post newspaper.
"In particular we are interested in obtaining details of any rights he may have for ongoing monies from his films or his books, which can be applied towards his creditors."
However, proceedings against Duff yesterday were adjourned by Associate Judge David Gendall until next month, to allow time for creditors to consider a proposal from Duff.
Duff has published six novels, a novella and three non-fiction works. Two of them, Once Were Warriors and What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? were turned into movies.
Duff was not in court and was believed to be in France.
The Havelock North property at the centre of proceedings was sold in a mortgagee sale to Christchurch property developer Dave Henderson in December.
Mr Henderson, a friend of Duff, allowed him to stay there until recently.
Mr Henderson has this month had some of his properties and developments in the South Island placed in receivership.
- NZPA
