http://www.anoceanofbooks.org en-nz 30 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/312879 PLEASE NOTE: all our updates and news items are now being posted on our FaceBook page. 041, 7 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/312879 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/304501 We've hit 10,00 books sent!! With today's shipment of 2,348 books for Pukapuka School, Nukutere College and Titikaveka College - all schools in the Cook Islands - we've now sent 10,726 books to 19 needy schools. 036, 30 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/304501 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/299438 Kia Orana from Tekaaroa Seventh Day Adventist School. I would like to take this opportunity to convey our sincere thanks to you and all the staff of the An Ocean Of Books.org for your great donation to Tekaaroa School. We will make use of these precious resources to cater for our children’s learning needs and to enhance their education. Words cannot express how happy we were when we received the cartons of books. Kind Regards, Naomi Henry. Tekaaroa Principal. 032, 3 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/299438 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/295635 We have recently partnered with The American Fund For Charities who have 501(c)(3)tax exemption status, meaning doners from America can send donations to us, via The American Fund For Charities and the donation will be tax exempt. 032, 2 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/295635 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/295360 We are happy to announce that we have picked up 277 secondary school text books and assorted resources from Auckland Girls Grammar School for delivery to Maluafou College in Apia. Further books will follow. 031, 31 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/295360 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/295184 We've dropped off a further 1,455 books for The Cook Islands today. Once again thanks to Red Beach School, Scholastic NZ and Reef Shipping, Mauke School, Mitiaro School, Tauhunu School and Tukao School will all be receiving some great books in the coming weeks. 031, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/295184 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/292897 We've just dropped of 1,603 books for schools in Tonga this morning. Thanks to Scholastic NZ and Red Beach School, Vava'u Side School, Taoa GPS and Pangaimotu GPS will soon have some great titles in their library. 030, 23 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/292897 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/290809 Another great couple of days for us. Yesterday Dame Jane Seccombe donated 305 School Journals for distribution, and today Bimal of the Auckland Girls Grammar library donated another 241 titles. To top the day off Michael Jones and I were interviewed by New Zealand Pacific newspaper about the project and the support Reef Shipping are giving us. 029, 13 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/290809 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/290081 What's ahead for An Ocean of Books in the coming 12 months? While our overall mission is to send enough books to see school libraries across the Central Pacific overflowing with books that capture the imagination and inspire children as they progress through school, for the next 12 months we are concentrating on the 30 most needy schools in Tonga, Samoa and The Cook Islands. We're working with the respective education departments to ensure that the books get to the right schools. 028, 8 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/290081 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/289044 Update Vanuatu: We have today dropped off 555 new books for shipment to St Patricks School in Vanuatu. We are happy to be working with a small Catholic group headed by Peter Taylor to get the books where they are needed. Peter's group have been doing some great work in Vanuatu for a number of years. 027, 1 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/289044 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/288834 Thanks again to Reef Shipping, another 1,182 books, plus school supplies, are starting their journey towards a school in need. We dropped off 27 boxes to Reef Shipping this morning for Te Kaaroa School in Aitutaki. Te Kaaroa School was decimated by a cyclone earlier this year and they are still rebuilding. In fact, because of severe damage to school buildings, the junior school is still being taught their lessons in the head mistresses home. 027, 30 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/288834 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/288835 Continuing on from our update in regards to Te Kaaroa School, we would like to acknowledge Jessica Neddleman of St Heliers School who has championed Te Kaaroa's cause, and Sth Akld 7th Day who have donated both school books and teacher resources. 027, 30 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/288835 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/288576 We now have a Facebook group where you can read our latest news, find out who is supporting us by running book drive and share ideas with us to help our program grow. You can find us by searching for An Ocean of Books in Facebook. Don't forget to recommend us to your contacts! 027, 29 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/288576 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/288094 Today has been a fabulous day for An Ocean of Books, with two primary schools donating a total of 1,731 pre-loved books. Maungawhau School in Mt Eden donated 227 books from students in their junior school, while the school community at Whangaparaoa's Red Beach School donated a colossal 1,504 books. Combined with the books on hand from Scholastic, we will be able to send between 800 and 1,000 books each to four needy schools. All I can say is WOW!! 026, 25 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/288094 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/287723 We are now registered with IRD as a Donee Organisation, meaning we can issue receipts that will allow donors to receive a Tax Credit. 026, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/287723 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/287724 We are pleased to advise that the Governments of Samoa, Tonga and The Cook Islands have confirmed that we may ship our donated books to their nations without having to pay any import tax or local version of GST. We are thankful for the officials involved who have cleared the way for our project to send books to the respective nations. 026, 20 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/287724 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/285536 We are pleased to announce that Ezra Schuster has joined us as an advisor. Ezra has been involved in the education sector, both domestic and international, for over a decade. Ezra has developed several educational and youth leadership initiatives, specialising in working with diverse communities. He is currently the National Pasifika Manager, Special Education with the Ministry of Education (New Zealand) and manages their Pasifika cultural training program. 024, 11 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/285536 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/285083 A big thanks to South Auckland 7th Day Adventist School who collected 75 great books during their Book Week, along with 375 teacher's resource books. The books are earmarked for Te Kaaroa School in Aitutaki, a sister Adventist school which was badly damaged earlier this year in a cyclone. 024, 8 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/285083 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/284264 Thanks to the fine work of Robyn Viljoen of Grow-Me, Red Beach School are running a book drive in late June. All it took was a quick call to Radio Live and our story was dancing across the radio waves! Robyn is a Director of Grow-me and a first class customer service trainer, so please call her if your organisation needs a customer service refresher. I can recommend Robyn's course from personal experience. You can read more about Grow-me at: www.grow-me.com 023, 3 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/284264 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/284090 We are pleased to announce the first official shipment of our books by Reef Shipping. Reef Shipping are freighting 684 mainly new books up to Loto Taumafai School in Samoa for us. Reef Shipping have had a relationship with the school for the past 7 years and we are pleased to help support their good work. Loto Taumafai School sits outside of the education department's umbrella and is a school for the deaf and physically challenged. 023, 2 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/284090 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/283962 We are pleased to confirm that An Ocean of Books is now a registered charity. Our official Registration Number is CC44309. 023, 1 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/283962 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/283083 We are pleased to announce that 1,354 books were picked up from our warehouse this morning and are soon to be on the way to Niue, with thanks to Reef Shipping. 510 books for Niue High School and 844 books for Niue Primary School should be with the schools within a fortnight. 022, 28 May 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/283083 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/282999 We are happy to update our book donations from Auckland Girls Grammar School by a further 129 books to 287 books. A big thanks to Bimal and the team in the AGGS library. 022, 27 May 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/282999 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/281455 Good Shepherd School have supported us by conducting a mufti-day book collection. We are happy to announce that Good Shepherd School has donated 321 books. The books will be sent to Loto Taumafai school in Samoa, and Niue Primary School. 021, 20 May 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/281455 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/281246 We are proud to announce that our first shipment of books is underway. 1,453 new books are on the way to Tokelau's 3 schools. This shipment will be supplemented later in the year with a consignment of pre-loved books. The shiopment has been made possible with the assistance of Lili Tuioti and the team at the Department of Education for Tokelau. 021, 19 May 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/281246 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/281080 Tau Tala Niue - News From Niue. "Jeff Evans continues to offer gifts Last year, Mr Jeff Evans, a successful well known New Zealand photographer auctioned off some of his work in order to purchase a digital camera for the Niue High School Art Department. This was duly received with gratitude by Mr Sale Jessop who was rapt at having an important piece of equipment that will enhance the work of his NCEA students in his department. Click between the brackets to continue 021, 18 May 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/281080 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/281242 We are thankful for 158 pre-loved books donated by the Auckland Girls Grammar School library as they thin out their shelves. The books have been well looked after and are exactly the level of book we are after for Pacific Island secondary schools. A fantastic addition to our stocks. 020, 12 May 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/281242 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/277721 Reef Shipping have today announced that they will support us by shipping books for us to ports in Niue, Tonga, Samoa and The Cook Islands. This is, needless to say, a huge boost for our project and we would particularly like to thank Michael Jones of Reef Shipping for supporting us. 019, 5 May 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/277721 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/277720 We have just recieved great news from Good Shepherd School in Balmoral who have agreed to run a mufti-day book collection to support us. Hopefully Good Shepherd is the first of many schools to support us. 018, 29 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/277720 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/274719 We are happy to announce that John Girvan and the team at Macmillan Publishers have donated 50 copies of the 2010 Guinness World Records to our project on behalf of publishers Guinness World Records. 017, 20 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/274719 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/273765 Great news to report today with Karl Morton, Director of Lock and Partners - Chartered Accountants, agreeing to donate time and resources to our organisation. As many of you will no doubt know, having a quality accountant is a critical but often over looked aspect of many start up non-profit organisations, so we are very lucky to have Karl and his team supporting us. You can find a link to their website address on our Sponsors Page. 016, 15 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/273765 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/273775 Laurie Davis and the team at Premier Print (14 West Street, Newton) have kindly supplied us with a supply of logo stickers to affix to the books we are sending up to the schools. A big thanks to Laurie who is helping get our name known where it counts. 016, 14 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/273775 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/272537 We're happy to report we have had a very successful meeting with Minister Olove Jacobsen from the Niue Government today during which we discussed donating books to Niue High School and Niue Primary School. Olove is very happy to accept our donation on behalf of the children of Niue. We are aiming to have the books ready for the freighter leaving Auckland at the end of May. 015, 9 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/272537 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/272328 Dean Reid of Visy Glama (Wiri) and Tim Houlden of APCInnovate (East Tamaki) have both generously donated much needed boxes for the cause, straight from their stock piles. A big thanks to both companies for supporting us. Thanks to their generousity we can continue to keep our overheads as low as possible. 015, 8 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/272328 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/272327 A home for An Ocean of Books! We are happy to announce that we have secured warehouse space at Storage King, St Lukes for our books. 17,500 + books takes some storing and Storage King have come to the party with a very generous deal. 015, 7 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/272327 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/270763 Legendary publisher Scholastic NZ Limited's General Manager Neil Welham has announced that Scholastic are donating 17,500 books to An Ocean of Books. "It's overwhelming," is Jeff Evans' understated response to the donation and what it means for An Ocean of Books. "Getting this number of books so early into our program is just fantastic. Now we just have to work hard to get the public involved to help ship the books to where they are needed." 014, 31 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/270763 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/270648 Jabberwocky Books of Remuera (598 Remuera Road) have kindly donated a large box of great titles for distribution. A big thanks to Elise and her team at Jabberwocky. 014, 30 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/270648 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/267572 Wheelers Books (based in Albany, Auckland) have given us a huge boost by donating over 1,800 books for distribution to needy schools in the Central Pacific. It is an important milestone for us so early on and we are indebted to Managing Director Paul du Temple and his team for their support and encouragement. 011, 9 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/267572 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/267574 International author Jill Marshall (Jane Blonde - super spylet series, Dog-head, The Most Beautiful Man in the World) has generously donated a large selection of books, including many of her own popular titles. We are excited to announce that Jill has also come on board as an advisor for An Ocean of Books. 010, 3 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/webapps/i/83156/177009/267574