In 1983, some important things happened in little old New Zealand. Princess Diana, already on her way to becoming a pop-culture megastar, visited with Prince Charles and baby Prince William, who obligingly played with a Buzzy Bee in front of the world's media. DD Smash was the Band of the Year, and songbirds Brooke Fraser and Hollie Smith were born. Joe Rokocoko, Piri Weepu and Luke McAlister were born and turned out to be great rugby stars. New Zealand's star allrounder, Richard Hadlee, tore a hamstring on the eve of the lucrative and much anticipated finals series with Australia and was forced out of the side.

Also making its way into the world was Kiwi retail icon the Paper Plus Group (initially named Nationwide Stationers), which began as a cooperative of just five book and stationery retailers. By the following year, it had 62 members. The level of growth and brand exposure was so high that by 1987 a rebrand had already become necessary and the Paper Plus brand was launched into the national retail scene.

It wasn't the only thing going on in that watershed year: along with the stockmarket crash, 1987 heralded the first Lotto draw, the first New Zealand heart transplant, the first feature film by an unknown director called Peter Jackson, and the adoption of Maori as an official language.

The Take Note brand emerged in 2000 from the Group's purchase of the Topline and Paperworld brands, concentrating on cards and stationery as a counterpoint to what has become the increased books focus of the flagship Paper Plus brand.

On the 21st July 2008 Paper Plus Group celebrated an inspirational 25 years in business with a gala week of celebrations in Wellington.

In 2011 the Paper Plus brand went through a radical overhaul to bring it into the new modern era of retailing. With new store designs, brand colours and ranges, along with keeping the heritage of the Paper Plus Family spirit, the brand took a giant leap forward to become the iconic brand it is in the market today.

As a 100 percent New Zealand-owned Company, Paper Plus Group has a strong presence around the country, where we have inspired many local communities. We are proud to support Literacy and Learning throughout the country, through various charitable and community organisations. Our stores owners are proud to be working and living in the local community and contribute to local economies. The Group is proud of the legacy it has achieved so far, and how it has helped inspire New Zealanders to achieve great things.

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