Writers in Residence
-
example in here
-
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."
-
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.
-
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.
Professor Richard Corballis: 2008
Professor Richard Corballis from Palmerston North, researched and wrote a major biography of leading New Zealand playwright, Bruce Mason while in residence at the Michael King Writers’ Centre in the second half of 2008.Professor Corballis, who is Professor of English in the School of English and
Chris Price: 2008
Chris Price plans to complete a new collection of poems, The Blind Singer, and lay the groundwork for another major project – a full-length work of creative non-fiction that will blend biography, travel, memoir, history and essay. Death’s Jest-Book will re-imagine the life of the eccentric English p
Margaret Hayward: 2007
Margaret Hayward was the 2007 resident at the Michael King Writers’ Centre. During her period in residence, she worked on her book on Prime Ministerial leadership in New Zealand, and carried out research for other projects. From Otaki, she is the writer of Diary of the Kirk Years, published in 1982,
Gerry Evans: 2006
Gerry Evans is the author of Where Giants Dwell (1999), Good Morning USA (2004) and Shipping Out (2006) and was the Resident for seven months in 2006. Born in west Wales, he settled in New Zealand in 1963. He spent 30 years as a seaman and 10 years as a waterside worker, and served on the executive
Geoff Chapple: 2005 Inaugural Writers Residency
Geoff Chapple O.N.Z.M was the first resident at the centre when it opened in 2005. His play Hatch, written at the house, was a major success at the AK07 Arts Festival and has toured New Zealand since.A noted journalist, Geoff has written six books of non-fiction, including 1981: The Tour and Rewi
Dianne Brown: 2005
Dunedin novelist, poet and memoirist, Dianne Brown wrote Here Comes Another Vital Moment while she was a Resident at the Centre for three months in 2005.Born in Auckland, Brown lives in Dunedin, where she writes books and reviews, assesses manuscripts, and teaches fiction writing at Aoraki Polytech