Paper Plus Nelson: Community, Books, and Local Connection
On Tuesday, 15 November 1988, Paper Plus Nelson opened its doors for the first time, marking the beginning of a 36-year journey. The addition of New Zealand Post services further solidified its position as a one-stop shop for the community, and today, the store continues to thrive, offering a broad range of books, stationery, gifts, and postal services.
David and Sue Moir, along with their business partners Sean and Jill Weir, have been at the helm of Paper Plus Nelson for decades. Reflecting on the store’s journey, David Moir shared, “When we first opened, we had no idea how much Nelson would embrace the store. It’s been a long ride with its challenges, but here we are, still standing strong.” He attributes much of the store’s resilience to the loyalty of the local community and their unwavering love for physical books.
“There was a time,” David recalls, “when people thought eBooks would completely overtake traditional books. But that hasn’t been the case. People still love the feel of turning pages, whether it’s on holiday, at the beach, or before bed.”
At Paper Plus Nelson, Dana Light, the store’s passionate Book Specialist, plays a key role in the success of their book offerings. With a keen understanding of both local and global trends, Dana shares her pride in the steady demand for physical books despite the rise of digital media. “It hasn’t gone away,” Dana explains. “While eBooks did take a small percentage of the market initially, that has decreased over time. People still want the tangible experience of holding a book in their hands.”
According to Dana, the preference for physical books spans generations. “You’d be surprised,” she says. “Young people are getting into books again, thanks to social media platforms like Bookstagram and BookTok. Romance novels are huge with the younger crowd, and it’s all driven by these online book communities.”
Another challenge Paper Plus Nelson faced was the global financial crisis in 2008, which led to the closure of many bookstores worldwide. Reflecting on this, Dana adds, “It was a tough time for book retailers. Major chains shut down, but here in New Zealand, we managed to keep going. Paper Plus is structured as a cooperative, meaning we’re locally owned and self-determining. That’s been a real advantage for us. We make our own decisions as shareholders in the group.”
This cooperative structure has allowed Paper Plus Nelson to stay deeply connected to the local community. Dana emphasizes, “It gives us the flexibility to respond to what Nelsonians want, whether it’s school supplies or the latest best-sellers.” The store has also carved out a niche in the education market, working closely with local schools to provide the materials they need. “We do a lot with the school market,” Dana notes. “It’s one of the ways we stay relevant and ensure we’re meeting the needs of our community.”
One of the more recent and exciting developments for Paper Plus Nelson has been its involvement with the Nelson Arts Festival, specifically as a sponsor of Pukapuka Talks, a series of author events celebrating books and writing. “The festival approached us last year, and we jumped at the chance to be involved,” Dana says. “It’s been fantastic. We’ve had the opportunity to set up the festival book store at the events, have the authors with us at the end of events, and really showcase what we have to offer. It’s part of our commitment to broadening our book offer and being more serious about our presence in the local literary scene.”
Pukapuka Talks provide a platform for both established and emerging authors to share their work and experiences with an audience eager to engage with the written word. “The talks are about more than just books,” Dana explains. “They’re about writing, creativity, and encouraging others to take up the pen. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the community come out and support these events, whether they’re there to meet their favourite authors or discover someone new.”
On Tuesday, 29th October, at the Putangitangi Green Meadows Centre in Stoke, we are thrilled to launch Leave the Girls Behind, the latest book by Jacqueline Bublitz. This event is particularly exciting as Nelson will be the first place in the world to see the book.
Paper Plus Nelson’s commitment to fostering a love of reading in the community doesn’t stop at the festival. The store has also seen an increase in the demand for books by New Zealand authors, something Dana is keen to encourage. “There’s definitely been a rise in Kiwi authors being published,” she says. “We’ve got a great selection of autobiographies and novels by local writers, and it’s fantastic to see the support for them grow.”
You can find more about Paper Plus Nelson at paperplus.co.nz
You can find out more about the Nelson Arts Festival at nelsonartsfestival.nz
Explore the virtual tour at Paper Plus Nelson
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