Events
Coming events
No future events found
For further information about events, please contact:The Michael King Writers’ Centre
PO Box 32-629
Devonport
North Shore City 0744
Phone/fax 09 445 8451
Send email to the Adminstrator
Recent events
Sunday 14 February 2010, 2 pm to 4 pm
Public open afternoon
Friends of the Michael King Writers' Centre will host a public open afternoon on Sunday February 14, 2010. This is an opportunity to look through the centre, based in the historic Signalman's House on Mt Victoria in Devonport. Enjoy the views, the charming restored villa and look through the small collection of literary memorabilia. The house is found on the Summit Road, opposite the old tennis courts. Parking is limited.
Sunday 11 October 2009, 2 pm
Walking the Seaward Road: Robin Hyde's North Shore
The Michael King Writers' Centre will hold an event to celebrate the life and work of Robin Hyde, author of the renowed New Zealand novel, The Godwits Fly.
This event will be held at the Holy Trinity Church Hall, Church St, Devonport.
Hyde's short, tragic life reflected many of the difficulties faced by early New Zealand women writers and journalists. Speakers will include Derek Challis, her son and biographer, and poet Michele Leggott, who edited a collection of her poems, plus others who will provide an insight into her career and work. Gordon McLauchlan will MC this special occasion, which is supported by the North Shore City Council's Creative Communities Scheme. This event is held as part of North Shore Heritage Festival. Tickets $5, door sales only.
Tickets are $5, door sales only.
Sunday 04 October 2009, 2 pm to 4 pm
Public open afternoon
Join the Friends of the Michael King Writers' Centre to look through the centre, based in the historic Signalman's House on Mt Victoria in Devonport. Enjoy the harbour views and the small collection of literary memorabilia. This occasion, held as part of North Shore Heritage Week, is free. The centre is located on the road to the summit of Mt Victoria. Parking is on Kerr Street or on the top of Mt Victoria.
Sunday 27 September 2009, 2 pm
Ian Wedde
Join the Friends of the Michael King Writers’ Centre for an afternoon with Ian Wedde, the current writer-in-residence at the centre in Devonport.
This event will be held at the Devonport Library seminar room this Sunday, 27 September, starting at 2 pm. Free entry.
Ian, born in Blenheim, is a citizen of the world and a man of huge influence in the world of New Zealand writing and art. His novels, poems and art books on eminent painters have earned him an eminent place in our time. We will be fortunate to learn something of his earlier interests, and a hint of what he is devoting his time to while he is The University of Auckland/Creative New Zealand Writer-in-Residence at the Michael King Writers’ Centre in Devonport.
Wednesday 01 July 2009, 7 pm
Stars on the Horizon: Exploring Matariki
Explore the meaning of Matariki and celebrate Maori story-telling and writing with leading authors: novelist James George, historian Aroha Harris, playright Albert Belz, children's writer and founder of the Warrior School, Tim Tipene. The event will involve discussions and readings.
It will be held at The Depot Artspace, 28 Clarence Street, Devonport, from 7 pm on Wednesday 1 July 2009.
This free event is organised by the Michael King Writers' Centre with support from the North Shore City Council's Creative Communities Scheme.
Wednesday 24 June 2009, 6 pm
Launch of the Poet Laureate book Mirabile Dictu
The Michael King Writers Centre, together will the Devonport Library Associates, are delighted to be able to host the launch of the inaugural Poet Laureate book Mirabile Dictu in June. New Zealand's first national Poet Laureate is Devonport poet Michele Leggott. Her laureateship will end in June and she will launch her laureate book here, as well as holding a later launch at the National Library in Wellington. The launch will be at the Devonport Public Library and will also coincide with the start of the Matariki festival.
Sunday 24 May 2009, 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm
Public open afternoon
Friends of the Michael King Writers' Centre will host a public open afternoon on Sunday May 24, from 12.30 to 3.30 pm. Join us to look through New Zealand’s first literary centre, set on the slopes of Mt Victoria in the historic Signalman’s House in Devonport. Enjoy the views and the small collection of literary memorabilia. The centre is half way up the road to the summit. Park on top of Mt Victoria or on nearby Kerr Street.Friends will gather before the open afternoon, for a shared lunch and get-together. New members are welcome.
Sunday 10 May 2009, 2 pm to 4 pm
Chris Price launches her new book
Chris Price, who held the first University of Auckland residency in 2008, will launch her work,
Thursday 07 May 2009, 8 pm
Ultra Vernacular, Depot Artspace, Devonport
Our latest writer-in-residence, Dunedin poet David Eggleton, will perform at The Depot Artspace on Thursday (May 7), from 8 pm. The show is called Ultra Vernacular and is billed as beat/grunge/social surrealism. David will perform with musician Otis Mace.
Sunday 19 April 2009, 2 pm to 4 pm
Vincent O'Sullivan
The Friends of the Michael King Writers’ Centre and the Devonport Library Associates will jointly host a farewell for our first writer-in-residence for 2009, Vincent O’Sullivan, at the Devonport Public Library seminar room. This promises to be a fascinating session. He will talk about his research into the letters of Katherine Mansfield, his work on the biography of Ralph Hotere, and read from his latest book of poetry,
Sunday 09 November 2008, 10.30 am to 12 noon
Mt Victoria Heritage Walk
On Sunday 9 November, there will be a free Heritage Walk of Mt Victoria Takarunga, in Devonport, Auckland. Starting on the summit of Mt Victoria at 10.30 am, the walk will cover points of historical and archaeological significance on the mountain and will include visits to Fort Victoria, the Bunker (home of the Devonport Folk Club), and the Signalmans House (now the home of the writers centre).
The walk is expected to last approximately 90 minutes. It will be followed by an open afternoon at the Michael King Writers Centre, where there will be a display about the history of the Signal Station, the signalmen and the house itself.
The walk has been organised by the Michael King Writers Centre as part of North Shore Heritage Week.
Sunday 09 November 2008, 12 noon to 4 pm
Michael King Writers Centre open afternoon
The Michael King Writers Centre will be open to the public from 12 noon to 4 pm on Sunday 9 November. The public open afternoon will be hosted by the Friends of the Centre. It is being held as part of North Shore Heritage Week.
Sunday 02 November 2008, 2 pm
Celebrating Sargeson
Celebrating Sargeson is a literary event about the life and times of one of our most famous writers, Frank Sargeson. Sargeson was one of the first writers to focus on the character of real New Zealanders and he was a mentor to many other important local writers.
The event featured readings, memories, musical entertainment and more, with writers Christine Cole Catley, Graeme Lay, C. K. Stead, and music by an ensemble from the North Shore Accordion Orchestra. It also featured the theatre piece The Last Days of Frank Sargeson by Gordon McLauchlan, performed by the Auckland Theatre Company.
The event was be held at the Holy Trinity Church Hall in Church St, Devonport. The event was put on with the support of the Creative Communities Scheme.
Sunday 15 June 2008, 4 pm
Fundraising event: Who Needs Sleep Anyway
Friends and supporters of the Michael King Writers' Centre will attend the new play by Roger Hall and Pip Hall, "Who Needs Sleep Anyway," at the Sky City Theatre at 4 pm on Sunday June 15 2008. Tickets are being sold through the Friends group as a fundraiser for the centre.
Sunday 08 June 2008, 2 pm to 4 pm
Public open day
Friends of the Michael King Writers' Centre will host an open afternoon at the Michael King Writers' Centre, so members of the public can visit the centre. Please note, there is little car parking at the centre. Parking is available on Kerr Street and in the Kerr St Artspace carpark below the centre.
Sunday 25 May 2008, 2 pm to 4 pm
Friends event - Meet Kapka Kassabova
One of New Zealand's brightest young literary stars, author Kapka Kassabova, took part in a Friends event at the Michael King Writers' Centre on Mt Victoria, Devonport, on Sunday May 25. Born in 1973 in Bulgaria, Kassabova emigrated to England and then came to New Zealand in 1992. The prizewinning author has held the Berlin Writer's residency and currently lives in Edinburgh. She was in New Zealand to take part in the Auckland Writers and Readers Festival.
07 May - 25 June 2008, 7 pm to 9 pm
Writers' Workshops (weekly, each Wednesday)
The Michael King Writers' Centre has a further series of weekly workshops for adult writers under way in May and June 2008. The main tutor is prominent writer, Graeme Lay. Applications for the workshops have now closed. Writers interested in future workshops can contact the administrator for further information.
Sunday 30 March 2008, 2 pm to 4 pm
Friends event - Meet Chris Price
Friends of the Michael King Writers' Centre held a social event to meet the 2008 writer-in-residence, Chris Price, at the centre on Mt Victoria, Devonport, on Sunday March 30.
10 February - 09 March 2008, 2 pm to 5 pm
Workshops for Young Writers
A series of workshops for young writers were held by the Michael King Writers' Centre in February and March 2008. The workshops were funded by a grant from the Devonport Community Board. They were organised in association with the English Departments of local secondary schools. Students were nominated to attend by their schools. If funds are available, the Michael King Writers Centre plans to organise a similar series of workshops in 2009.
Sunday 04 November 2007, 2pm
Pulling Legs
Sunday November 4, 2 pm: Pulling Legs, an event to celebrate the memory of A.R.D. Fairburn at the Holy Trinity Church Hall, Church Street, Devonport.
Sunday 28 October 2007, 2 pm to 4pm
Public open afternoon
The Friends of the Michael King Writers' Centre held a public open day at the Signalman's House, Mt Victoria, Devonport, on Sunday 28 October as part of the North Shore Heritage Week.
17 July - 04 September 2007, 7pm - 10pm
Writers' Workshops
A series of workshops for adult writers - for beginning writers and those seeking to develop their skills -were held at the Michael King Writers' Centre, in the Signalman's House, Mt Victoria, Devonport from July to September.
Sunday 08 July 2007
Friends afternoon
The Friends of the Michael King Writers' Centre held an open afternoon at the Signalman's House to meet the 2007 writer-in-residence, Margaret Hayward.
Saturday 12 May 2007, Saturday 12 May 2007
Official opening by Prime Minister
The Michael King Writers' Centre was officially opened by the Prime Minister on Saturday 12 May, following a dawn blessing ceremony by local iwi.
Tuesday 17 January 2006
Open day
An open day was held at the Signalman's House in January 2006.