Harry Potter and the Book Wars

By JOSIE CLARKE

An opportunity for New Zealand children to be the first in the world to read the latest Harry Potter adventure has disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Borders bookstore planned to sell 400 copies of the eagerly awaited Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire at midnight in Auckland tonight - hours before it is due to go on sale in Britain and the United States and a full week before it is due to hit New Zealand shelves.

But yesterday afternoon, Borders suddenly changed its mind. The chain said it had "decided to support the local publishing industry" by sticking to the July 14 embargo for New Zealand outlets.

The book is the fourth in J.K. Rowling's phenomenally successful fantasy adventure series about a young English wizard, which has generated more than $90 million in worldwide sales.

Its release has become a major literary event, with the book trade in Britain and the US forbidden to sell copies before tomorrow morning.

Interest is particularly high in the book, as J. K. Rowling has hinted that one of the characters will die.

New Zealand stores are supplied with Harry Potter novels from Britain and expect to receive them within the week. They agreed to wait until next Friday and release the novel simultaneously.

Borders, part of a large American chain, has already received a shipment from US suppliers under parallel importing laws.

Rows over release dates are not confined to New Zealand. Independent American booksellers are angry that online retailer Amazon has been given permission to pack and ship its presold copies ahead of time.

Amazon has taken 30,000 requests for copies of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Independent outlets fear they have lost out to online retailers and big chain stores.

Whitcoulls spokeswoman Joan Mackenzie said last night that she did not know why Borders had backed down but was pleased it had decided to stick to the embargo.

Whitcoulls stores had taken almost 5000 orders. Staff would ring every customer as soon as the books arrived in stores on Friday.

Ms Mackenzie said it would be the most exciting book launch in history.

"The groundswell of excitement that we've seen among our customers, and I have to say among our staff, is awesome."

To buy Harry Potter books online:

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban