Yesterday's big literary event in the Capital was the Wellington Writers’ Walk, and Maggie Rainey-Smith has the report. Over to you, Maggie:

The third stage of the Wellington Writers’ Walk was launched with a small party at Circa (bubbles and nibbles), some speeches (the Deputy Mayor, our new Governor General, Marion Hobbs and Dawn Sanders).

The speeches were good (meaning not too long), and then we ventured out onto the Wellington Waterfront, and finally, the 'benchmarks' were unveiled. There has been a bit said, here and there, about the changes to the design and designer for the Wellington Writers’ Walk. All I can say is go and take a peek and judge for yourself!

In my opinion, they are the perfect complement to the original designs and a fresh and original new way to celebrate Wellington writing and writers. In case you didn’t already know, the four new writers to be honoured are: Marilyn Duckworth, Sam Hunt, Louis Johnson and Michael King.

The 'benchmarks' blend in perfectly with their surroundings, giving added weight to the beautiful words (the use of lower case instead of caps adds to the simplicity and 'accessibility'). I can imagine some suits walking to work around the wharf, stopping to read Sam Hunt’s words about men working in offices like cramped elevators (well something to that effect) – and biffing their briefcases into the air, and catching a kayak.

Each benchmark has been carefully situated to reflect the words. As you read Sam Hunt’s, you look up to the city office sky-line. Michael King’s benchmark is right at the waterfront, talking of catching fish…

We had a nor’wester in the morning, and then it turned to the south, but at 4.30 pm, the water was perfectly calm, the sky and sea were matching silver – and you couldn’t really have asked for much more. Shame on you, if you weren’t there (and should have been) to celebrate!