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 $30,000. Note: accommodation at the Sargeson Centre on Albert Park is no longer available. The year is often split between two writers, one taking up residency in February and one in July.

Every second year, two residencies for writers are offered at Hone Tūwhare’s crib. Check the site for deadlines.

The Michael King Writers Centre is based in the historic Signalman’s House on the summit of Takarunga (Mt Victoria), Devonport, and offers 17 residencies each year. Writers receive between two–three 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. Three Māori writers received 2026 residencies.

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 $32,000 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 $2000 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 around $57,000.

The writer must live in Hamilton at their own expense during their twelve-month tenure, which should begin in early January. ‘While it is not expected that the Writer will undertake any teaching during the term of this appointment, it is expected that they will participate in the cultural life of the university. Outreach and engagement activities’.

Verb Wellington offers three writing residencies: a Children’s Writers Residency at Sexton Cottage; a Home-Based Writers Residency; and the Katherine Mansfield House & Garden Residency. All are for three weeks, with a stipend of $1300 per week. The Mansfield residency includes a dedicated writing space at Katherine Mansfield’s birthplace in Thorndon and accommodation in an apartment nearby, 

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 two in-person residencies are usually scheduled in late August/early September.

The annual Writer-In-Residence 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.’

The appointment is for twelve months, with a salary of around $55,000 and use of an office.

The Emerging Māori Writer in Residence is a three-month appointment with a $15,000 stipend, mentorship, and writing space. ‘Applicants should be writers at an early stage of their career, with a growing body of work, and must be either New Zealand citizens or hold permanent residency.’