The Dunedin City Council is pressing ahead with a proposal to seek Unesco City of Literature status for Dunedin.
The move could see Dunedin declared just the fifth city worldwide to hold the title, alongside the Scottish capital Edinburgh, Australian city Melbourne, Iowa City, in the United States, and Dublin, Ireland.
The idea was first raised by council staff last year, after Dunedin Public Libraries head of marketing services Liz Knowles returned from a global library conference in Edinburgh.
Councillors requested more consultation with the University of Otago, literary groups and other organisations, which had since been carried out.
A follow-up report from Ms Knowles, to be presented to this week's community development committee, said the consultation had determined Dunedin's literary heritage made the city worthy of the title.
If awarded, up to $100,000 would be needed each year from 2014 to fund a co-ordinator's position for new literary events in Dunedin, funded by the council, university and other organisations, she said.
However, the title would help raise the city's profile and promote its brand, highlight its cultural assets, encourage the sharing of literary expertise and even help Dunedin writers sell books, she said.
The economic impact for Dunedin was not known, but it had been estimated the title was worth $4.26 million a year to Edinburgh, and $4.06 million a year for the rest of Scotland, from associated literary events, she said.
Her report recommending councillors endorse the application would be considered on Wednesday.
