Our Programme
Thank you for your interest in our residencies.
Applications for the Michael King Writers Centre residency programme in 2027 have now closed.
We hope to announce the recipients of 2027 residencies in November 2026.
Each year the Michael King Writers Centre offers around 18 supported residencies to New Zealand writers working on a nominated project. Each residency runs for two to three weeks including accommodation at the house in Devonport, use of the writer’s studio and a stipend.
The House
The house sits on the road to the tihi (summit) of Takarunga Mt Victoria, surrounded by a reserve and is a short walk from Devonport village and the ferry to the city. There’s off-street parking, and the house has access and facilities for people with disabilities — if you have specific needs, let the manager know when you apply.
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Residencies are open to writers working on a fiction (including children’s and YA), drama, poetry or non-fiction project. Applicants should be established, experienced, mid-career or emerging authors.
To apply, you must:Have New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency.
Be currently residing in Aotearoa / NZ.
Be available to stay at the centre for most of your residency, even if you live in Auckland.
Not be applying for a project that forms part of academic work for a university that employs you.
Ensure that at least two years have elapsed, if you have previously held a residency at MKWC.
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Applications usually open around August. All information and the application form will be available under Residencies tab - How to Apply.
Join our mailing list to be the first to know when the next round opens.
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More than 200 New Zealand writers have held a residency at the centre since 2005, and we welcomed our first international resident in 2013.
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We also have a second room available to visiting writers on a paying basis.
