Writers in Residence
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The Centre's selection process is overseen by an independent panel, guided by its commitment to honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi and celebrating diverse voices.
"Reading and assessing this year's applications was an enormous privilege for the selection panel," says Melanee Winder, selection panellist and Chair of the MKWC Trust. "We were energised and impressed by the quality of writing across a wide variety of projects."
Emma Neale, a 2025 recipient, reflects: "I am enormously grateful for the way my time at the centre encouraged and catalysed my new project. The centre should be treasured by all Aotearoa writers and lovers of literature."
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The Michael King Writers Centre is proud to support 18 New Zealand writers through its 2026 residency programme, hosted at the historic Signalman's House in Devonport, Auckland. Selected from over 150 applicants across fiction, non-fiction, poetry, drama and writing for children, this year's recipients are:
Anne Kayes, Cassie Hart, Cello Forrester, Chris Tse, Claire Baylis, Connie Buchanan, Emma Hislop, Gina Butson, Jordan Hamel, Josie Shapiro, Kirsten McDougall, Kirsty Powell, Liv Sisson, Rebecca Hawkes, Sarah Ell, Sue Wootton, Trina Elkington-Ball, and Vincent O'Malley.
For eligibility, stipend and accommodation details, see About our Residency Programme.
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For a list of our alumni from 2005 to 2026, by first name see here.
Since the Centre opened in 2005, over 200 New Zealand writers have held supported residencies, with international residencies added from 2013 in association with the NZ China Friendship Society and Varuna House, NSW.Alumni include Eleanor Catton (final draft of The Luminaries, 2012), Whiti Hereaka (Kurangaituku, 2017) and biographer Rachel Barrowman, alongside Poet Laureates Vincent O'Sullivan, David Eggleton and Ian Wedde, and writers Gina Cole, Roger Horrocks, Ashleigh Young, Josh Pomare, Jane Arthur and Pip Adam.
Use the filter to select by year.
Emma Neale: 2025 Summer Writers Residency
Emma is the author of six novels, seven collections of poetry, and a collection of short stories. Her sixth novel, Billy Bird (2016) was short-listed for the Acorn Prize at the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards and long-listed for the Dublin International Literary Award. Emma has a PhD in English Liter
Steven Toussaint: 2019 Summer Writers Residency
Steve is working on his third full-length collection of poetry that explores the climate of reproach and apology that pervades our public discourse today and says “the Michael King Writers Centre commands an unrivalled view of the city and the surrounding harbour, is a few minutes’ walk from the vib
Rachel Barrowman: 2010 Summer Writers Residency
Rachel Barrowman worked at the centre for eight weeks from early 2010. She is a Wellington-based writer and historian. She is the author of a number of works in the field of New Zealand cultural and intellectual history, including histories of the Alexander Turnbull Library and Victoria University o
Arthur Meek: 2011 Summer Writers Residency
Arthur Meek was awarded the eight-week Summer Residency, from January to mid-March 2011. Arthur Meek, who lives in Auckland, has written for stage, screen and radio, worked extensively as an actor and performed in musical comedy. Last year he received the Best New Play and Outstanding New Playwright
Don McGlashan: 2013 Summer Writers Residency
Don McGlashan is one of New Zealand’s most popular and celebrated songwriters and performers, whose music provides the soundtrack to our most significant national occasions as well as being heard around the world.He has won numerous awards for his albums, songs and for his film and television scor