Ngā Hononga

The NZSA Peter and Dianne Beatson fellowship is open to writers of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and drama who are currently working on a new project. Applicants must be members of the NZ Society of Authors. The award is for $10,000. Projects must ‘show a high level of literary merit and national significance.’

Emerging writers are approached by the Trust and asked to apply based on the recommendation of an established New Zealand writer.  The genre of writing—poetry, fiction, non-fiction, journalism—alternates each year.  A selection panel comprising Caselberg Trustees, an established New Zealand writer, and a member of Elizabeth’s writing group, then meet to select the resident from the list of nominated emerging writers.

The residency is held annually for one week, with accommodation provided at no cost at the Caselberg House, Broad Bay, along with the use of the Charles Brasch Studio.

A biennial residency recently established in 2019, it is open to ‘an established short story writer who wishes to spend 3–6 weeks in Southland.’ The residency provides free accommodation at historic Yule House in Invercargill, return travel to Invercargill, a weekly stipend of $500, and trips to Stewart Island and Milford Sound. The writer must teach at least two writing workshops, to high school students and adults.

This fellowship offers any published New Zealand writer with a proven body of work, the chance to write full-time, with an annual stipend of $20,000 and free accommodation at the Sargeson Centre, adjacent to the University of Auckland. Note: the year is often split between two writers, one taking up residency in February and one in July.

Renovations are ongoing at Hone Tūwhare’s crib and it will be officially opened in October 2022. Information regarding this residency will be added here once available.

The Michael King Writers Centre is based in the historic Signalman’s House on the summit of Takarunga (Mt Victoria), Devonport, and offers around 20 residencies each year. Writers receive between 2–3 weeks free accommodation at the Centre, and a stipend that ranges from $1400–$3000.

Māori writers can apply for an Emerging, or Established Māori Writers Residency, as well as a general residency.

The Randal Cottage Writers Trust are looking for ‘writers whose work has already been published/performed and well received,’ particularly mid-career Māori writers. Proposals can be in any genre, including fiction, poetry, children’s writing, drama, biography, other literary non-fiction, and writing on art topics.

This residency offers free accommodation at historic Randall Cottage in Wellington for 6 months, and a $27,450 stipend.

An annual competition which allows authors to ‘work hard on a book-length project.’

‘Novelists, short story writers, poets, memoirists, biographers…. This is for authors of books only, and books only for adults.’

The winner receives $4000 and a week’s free accommodation at the Surrey Hotel in Grey Lynn. Second and third place receive $500 each, as well as four and three nights accommodation at the Surrey Hotel.

The University of Auckland established a literary fellowship in 1979. Many prestigious writers have been fellows or writers-in-residence.

Since 2007, the University has partnered with Michael King Writers Centre to offer four residencies of six-week duration to mid-career and senior writers, including art historians. The residencies include free accommodation at Michael King Writers Centre in Devonport and a $6,000 stipend. Office space is available on campus, and three seminars or masterclasses are required during tenure.

Open to emerging writers in any genre who are normally resident in New Zealand, this residency offers six weeks’ accommodation at the Robert Lord Writers’ Cottage Trust, aligned with the University of Otago Summer School Programme, an office and admin support at the University Book Shop, and a $1500 stipend.

Established in 1979, this residency ‘ allows authors of proven merit in all areas of literary and creative activity an opportunity to work on an approved project within an academic environment.’

The position may be given to a single writer for twelve months, or split between two writers for six months. The salary for twelve months is $60,000, pro-rated for six months. No formal duties are required but writers are expected to hold a regular office hour for students. The writer must reside in Christchurch at their own expense.

This renowned fellowship is ‘open to writers of imaginative literature, including poetry, drama, fiction, autobiography, biography, essays or literary criticism, who are normally resident in New Zealand.’

The twelve month position has a salary of $75,000. It comes with an office space on campus, but no formal teaching duties or class visits are required. The Fellow must reside in Dunedin at their own expense.

The only residency for a children’s writer at a tertiary institute in New Zealand, it ‘allows writers to work full-time in a compatible environment among colleagues who are concerned with the teaching of reading and literature to children.’

The annual six month residency (between February and August) includes office space within the College, free accommodation at the historic Titan Street Cottage, and a stipend of $28,000.

A residency ‘open to poets, novelists, short story writers, dramatists, and writers of serious non-fiction,’ with a proven track record of high quality publications. The salary is $53,300.

The writer must live in Hamilton at their own expense during their twelve month tenure, and can make occasional use of the Michael King Writers Retreat in Opoutere. No teaching duties are attached to the residency, ‘to allow the Writer freedom to write.’

Verb Wellington and Katherine Mansfield House & Garden offer an annual three-week residency in October/November. This includes a dedicated writing space at Katherine Mansfield’s birthplace in Thorndon and accommodation in an apartment nearby, as well as a $3000 stipend.

Applications from NZ writers working on any of the following forms will be considered: short stories, the novel, poetry, creative non-fiction and memoir. The writer-in-resident will be in Wellington during Verb Wellington and may be invited to take part in an event.

This residency is: ‘open to writers in all areas of literary activity, including drama, fiction and poetry, New Zealand art, biography, history, music, society and culture. Applicants should be writers of proven merit.’

There is an office on campus, and although there are no formal duties, ‘the writer will be expected to take part in the cultural life of the University.’ The appointment is for twelve months, with a salary of $55,000.

Recently established in 2020, this residency is for Māori writers ‘at an early stage of their career, with a growing body of work.’

It runs for three months, and includes a writing room, a mentor from the Māori arts community, and a $15,000 stipend.