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Alan Duff's biggest creditor has let the author off a $2.4 million hook, saying it didn't make much sense to see him bankrupted.
Property developer Tom Ellis was one of more than 20 creditors owed $3.6m by Duff and had loaned him the money for a land development.
A judge last week agreed to a proposal by most creditors that gives the Once were Warriors author 18 months to pay them back.
Duff is living in France where he is writing two books which he hopes will raise enough cash to pay off his creditors.
Mr Ellis said he was prepared to write off his $2.4m rather than see Duff declared bankrupt, but did not think Duff would be able to raise the money in 18 months.
"No matter who you are, you can get caught out in this property business. There are quite a few of us in serious trouble," he told The Dominion Post.
Mr Ellis himself was declared bankrupt in August.
- NZPA
