A book about one of Kerikeri's founding fathers, poetry by a former Bay of Islands GP and the mayor's light-hearted guide to doing business were among Far North literature that took centre stage at the world's largest book fair.
New Zealand was guest of honour at this year's Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany, an event dating back to the 15th century and drawing about 300,000 visitors.
Former Kawakawa GP Glenn Colquhoun was one of 60 Kiwi authors the Ministry for Culture and Heritage took to the fair to promote the nation and its writing.
Dr Colquhoun worked at Ngati Hine Health Trust/Hauora Whanui in Kawakawa until 2004; his first book of poetry, The Art of Walking Upright, was about the Bay of Islands community of Te Tii, where he lived.
One of the books on show in the New Zealand Pavilion was Colossus Unsung by Kerikeri writer Bob Molloy. It tells the story of settler Edward Selby Little, who founded Kerikeri's citrus industry and was a diplomat and businessman.
Mayor Wayne Brown's book The Five Minute MBA was one of 12 business titles promoted by publisher Random House.
Mr Brown said it was a great honour for the Far North to be represented in Frankfurt.
"The world stage doesn't get much bigger than this. The fair attracts more than 7500 exhibitors from 110 countries, as well as 10,000 journalists. The scale of this event is almost difficult to comprehend."
The people of the Far North should also feel honoured that Dr Colquhoun, who was well-loved in the communities where he worked and lived, had taken their stories to the world.
He encouraged budding writers in the North to consider the opportunities publishing offered. Although technology was changing the publishing industry, people's need for knowledge and stories was undiminished.
About 400,000 books were shown at the 2012 Frankfurt Book Fair, which ended on Sunday. A record 66 New Zealand books will be translated and published in Germany this year.