Four-year-old Ethan Jackson can barely contain his excitement as final preparations are made before the latest Harry Potter book goes on sale throughout New Zealand today. Photo / Richard Robinson
Closed-circuit television cameras, security guards and restricted staff access are just some of the measures being used to keep the new Harry Potter book under wraps until 11.01am today.
Security is so tight that the publisher, Allen and Unwin in Australia, will not comment on any aspect of
printing, distribution or security surrounding the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
The other security precautions remain secret. Publicity director Andrew Hawkins said the whole focus was on 11.01 this morning.
"Unfortunately there's a few nasty people out there in the world, so we don't want to give them anything to go on," he said.
Allen and Unwin has an embargo agreement with every bookseller. Mr Hawkins said so far there had not been any security breaches in New Zealand or Australia.
Asked what the company would do if a bookseller sold the book before the embargo time, Mr Hawkins said: "There are legal implications."
UK Potter publisher Bloomsbury and its US counterpart Scholastic have spent millions protecting the book. Photographed pages from the latest book have appeared on the internet and legal action is under way against a US online retailer who shipped copies before the embargo date.
Alliance Distribution Services has the contract to deliver the books to shops throughout New Zealand.
General manager Phil Knight said security precautions were taken when delivering the book to shops.
"I'm not at liberty to disclose too much detail. You never know, there might be a Harry eight," he said.
Borders bookshop regional manager Justin Barratt revealed some of the precautions taken by the retailer.
"Only certain staff members have access to the boxes or know where they are. In all our stores the books are locked away, covered in sheets with CCTV watching them," he said.
Half an hour before the embargo time, the books will be brought out but covered with sheets and a security guard posted nearby.
"The anticipation is great. No doubt this will be the biggest day in bookselling history," Mr Barratt said.
Jenni Keestra of Whitcoulls said her company was following similar steps. She said the hype and secrecy around the book had been massive.
