Bigger is better for phone book font

Northland's telephone directory this year will have a bigger font, thanks to a flurry of complaints about the shrunken version of the current book.

Yellow Pages said this year's compact directory, to be delivered in June, would be easier to read by the visually-impaired and particularly senior citizens.

The new-look phone books will be rolled out in 15 areas throughout New Zealand, with Timaru being the first to receive the directory last November.

Age Concern Whangarei campaigned against the current format after fielding numerous complaints from its members and president Beryl Wilkinson said the group was extremely satisfied at the outcome.

She said the absence of Age Concern Whangarei's listing from the phone book exacerbated her frustration.

"Each time we rang, Yellow Pages said they were not interested in one voice but they would look at the issue if numerous individuals complained," Ms Wilkinson said.

"So we campaigned and asked everyone affected to put in their complaints which was considered but it put an unnecessary amount of work when it was obvious the print wasn't going to work."

She said she hadn't had a positive response from anyone about this year's directory.

Even getting magnifying glass from Yellow Pages had been a pain, she said, after she managed to secure about five for her members.

The chairman of the Whangarei RSA Trust, Archie Dixon, said the larger font would relieve the anxiety of some people who have had difficulty reading the current phone book.

Mr Dixon joked that the smaller font meant earlier eye checks for some people.

The new book would be the same compact style in terms of height and width but with larger print.

Yellow Pages chief executive Chris Armistead said the changes were a result of feedback from the public that preferred the old font.

"Our job at Yellow is to help Kiwis find the information they want, wherever, whenever and however they're searching, be that online, mobile or via a book.

"Some people don't have internet access or a computer, or they simply prefer the printed book.

"It's about getting the balance right, in this case for people who rely on our books," Mr Armistead said.