State Of The NZ Pencil, 2006

Writing this blog has focused my attention on what is and isn't available here in New Zealand. With that in mind I thought I would document what's available and maybe see how things change over the years. This is a brief survey of pencil brands available in NZ in early 2006. It is based on visiting a number of art supply, stationery and office supply stores in Auckland, (including all the major national chain stores) and on a few basic internet searches. I do not know the situation outside of Auckland, but would be surprised if it was substantially different. Brands listed as “Available” are able to found by visiting a few stores or are readily available online. I'm sure those of you who live in places like the US or UK can read this and feel lucky at the pencilness of your country after reading this sad state of affairs.

Mechanical Pencil Brands
Apart from the less expensive brands, most of these brands are usually only available in pencil format on request. Their pens are readily available, but mechanical pencils would normally have to be ordered in from the local distributor, who in turn may sometimes have to specially import them. For example you do not normally see Parker, Shaeffer or Waterman pencils, but their pens are widely available. Also many of the brands have only a limited range offered in NZ. For example the Pentel distributor in NZ made a passing comment to me that they imported “much less than ½” of the Pentel range, e.g. the Sharp Kerry is not available in NZ. Some of the brands may not have official distributors in NZ, large retailers may just direct import shipments on a regular or occasional basis.

Available
Artline, BIC, Cross, Faber-Castell, Inoxcrom, Lamy, Marbig, Mont Blanc, Papermate, Parker, Pentel, Rotring, Shaeffer, Stabilo, Staedtler, uni, Waterman, Zebra.
Notes

1. Tombow – recently withdrawn from NZ?
   
2. Many generic / housebrand mechanical pencils are also available. They generally appear to be of Chinese origin.
   
3. Cross is available, but I never see them anywhere, not even their pens!

Uncommon / Unsure of Status
(Never really see them, but some local information implies they are available)
Aurora, Pelikan, Pilot (pens are available, but I never see their pencils), Sensa

Wood Case Pencil Brands (Plain graphite only – coloured pencils not included)

Available
Columbia, Faber-Castell, Stabilo, Staedtler, Wolff
Notes

1. Only Staedtler & Faber-Castell are widely available, but only a limited number of their models may be imported into NZ. A few other well-known brands (e.g. Koh-I-Nor, Derwent) are supposedly available from small online retailers or small specialist stores.
   
2. Many high schools specify Staedtler by name as the pencil to use for their classes. Graphics, Technology and Music courses commonly specify a pencil(s) in their students stationery requirements list. Not sure why Faber-Castell’s lawyers aren’t getting themselves involved in this!
   
3. Many generic / housebrand pencils are also available. They generally appear to be of Asian origin.