Dunedin city councillors have approved Dunedin's bid for Unesco City of Literature status.
Dunedin would apply to become the fifth city to claim the status, which recognised the literary heritage of cities.
Only the Scottish capital Edinburgh, Melbourne, Iowa city, in the United States, and Dublin, Ireland, held the title.
Councillors at yesterday's community development committee voted to proceed with the bid, subject to final approval at next month's full council meeting.
Speaking at yesterday's meeting, Dunedin Public Libraries head of marketing services Liz Knowles said the bid would be a "fantastic opportunity for Dunedin".
Dr Noel Waite, from the University of Otago's applied science department, also spoke in support of the bid, which would be supported by the university and other partner organisations.
Council libraries services manager Bernie Hawke said the bid would not require additional council funding, but an "indicative" budget of $100,000 per year would be needed from 2014.
That money would fund a co-ordinator's position to organise new literary events in Dunedin associated with the title, should it be awarded, he said. The exact budget, and the council's share together with partners, was yet to be confirmed.
