About us

The Michael King Writers’ Centre was set up in 2005 in memory of historian and biographer Michael King.

Michael King led the way in exploring New Zealand’s cultural identity and wrote the top-selling Penguin History of New Zealand. He was at the peak of his career when he died tragically in an accident in 2004.

Knowing from his own experience how difficult it is for New Zealand writers to support themselves while they work, he was keen on the idea of having a writers’ centre to support New Zealand authors and promote the country’s literature. Following his death, his friends and literary colleagues decided to realise this dream.

The Michael King Writers Centre was made a Companion of North Shore City in 2010
NZTA Trust of the Year Award 2007

The centre aims to support New Zealand writers and to promote all aspects of New Zealand’s literature.

It is based in the historic Signalman’s House on Mt Victoria/Takarunga in Devonport set in a reserve with panoramic views of the Waitemata Harbour, yet it is close to  Devonport village and ferries to Auckland city. The house has two bedrooms, each with a private bathroom, and a dedicated writer’s studio in the rear garden for the writer-in-residence.

We offer a programme of supported residencies for New Zealand writers and low-cost accommodation for visiting writers who need a quiet place to work.