Countdown to $1 million literature boost

WELLINGTON - Time is running out for poet Bill Manhire, who has one day left to raise almost $200,000 to hit a million-dollar target set by a Las Vegas casino tycoon.

Mr Manhire's writing course, the International Institute of Modern Letters at Victoria University, was singled out by American philanthropist Glenn Schaeffer.

Mr Schaeffer issued a challenge for the institute to raise $1 million by December 31 - and has promised to match every New Zealand dollar raised with an American dollar, up to a maximum of US$1 million ($1.49 million).

So far the university's fundraisers have collected $813,889 and have three potentially lucrative donors in the pipeline. A gift of $90,000 two weeks ago had been a major boost.

"I'm astonished that we have got so much. I would love to be even more amazed and get all the way," Mr Manhire said, though he was realistic about the chances. "Most people in New Zealand have gone to the beach by now."

It's been a stressful but exciting two years since the offer was made, but Mr Manhire continues to be hopeful of hitting the $1 million target. He had been amazed by the generosity of donors - some who had given $5 and those who had donated thousands.

"It's often the people who haven't much money who are most generous. We have had a lot of little donations from people who believe in the power of the imagination."

Fundraising events, including a poetry reading by Lord of the Rings star Viggo Mortensen, and sponsorships had helped bump the total up.

The money will go to a fund to support the most promising creative writing graduates while they work on their manuscripts for publication.

Mr Schaeffer also provides New Zealand and Australia's richest literary award with the biennial $65,000 prize in modern letters. He is a regular visitor to New Zealand and has a home in Nelson, where he is in partnership with former mayor and MP Philip Woollaston.

Mr Manhire said he would be pleased when the challenge was over.

"I think I'm good at teaching and good at writing but I'm not a professional fundraiser."

- nzpa