Media Release
Friday 5 December 2025
Michael King Writers Centre announces 2026 residencies
The Michael King Writers Centre is pleased to announce the 18 New Zealand writers awarded residencies for its 2026 residency programme.
The residency programme aims to support New Zealand writers and promote the development of high-quality New Zealand writing.
Over 150 writers from across New Zealand applied for residencies at the historic Signalman’s House in Devonport, Auckland, seeking time, support, and inspiration to work on projects in a wide range of genres including non-fiction, fiction, writing for children and young adults, drama and poetry.
The Centre’s commitment to honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi and celebrating diverse voices continues to guide its residency selection process, which is overseen by an experienced and independent panel.
Melanee Winder, selection panellist and Chair of MKWC Trust said the panel was delighted by the continued growth in interest for its residency programme.
“Reading and assessing this year’s applications was an enormous privilege for the selection panel,” adds Mel. “We were energised and impressed by the quality of writing across a wide variety of projects, and we are privileged to support writers to focus on their projects in the peaceful surroundings of the Centre.”
Emma Neale, one of the 2025 recipients said of her residency, “I am enormously grateful for the way my time at the centre encouraged and catalysed my new project. I’m determined to keep up the momentum that my time at the MKWC gave me and write every morning before work, to try to honour the valuable gift of the focus I found there. The centre should be treasured by all Aotearoa writers and lovers of literature. We are so lucky to have it on our cultural landscape”
All residencies are made possible with thanks to support from Creative New Zealand, and Auckland Council.
Michael King Writers Centre Award 2026 residencies are:
- Claire Baylis
- Connie Buchanan
- Gina Butson
- Sarah Ell
- Trina Elkington-Ball
- Cello Forrester
- Jordan Hamel
- Cassie Hart
- Rebecca Hawkes
- Emma Hislop
- Anne Kayes
- Kirsten McDougall
- Vincent O’Malley
- Kirsty Powell
- Josie Shapiro
- Liv Sisson
- Chris Tse
- Sue Wootton
For more information, or to arrange an interview, please contact:
| Melanee Winder
Chair, Michael King Writers Centre E: Melanee.Winder@hachette.co.nz M: 027 270 7014 |
Jan McEwen
MKWC Manager E: manager@writerscentre.org.nz M: 0274 811 567
|
About the Michael King Writers Centre Residency Programme
The Michael King Writers Centre receives applications for residencies in September each year. Successful writers receive free accommodation at the Centre, based in the historic Signalman’s House on Takarunga Mt Victoria in Devonport, use of the writer’s studio, and receive a stipend. Over one hundred and ninety New Zealand authors have held residencies at the centre since 2005.
The residencies are made possible with thanks to support from Creative New Zealand Allen & Unwin and Hachette. The MKWC is truly grateful for the support as it enables the Centre to continue to help and sustain Aotearoa writers.
About the Michael King Writers Centre Trust
The Michael King Writers Centre is overseen by the Michael King Writers Studio Trust. The Trust and the Centre were established in 2005 a year after historian and writer Michael King died in a car accident. The Centre was set up by the Trust to honour and see to fruition, the long-held vision of Michael’s for a national writers’ centre in Aotearoa – a place where writers could spend time on a residential retreat and focus on their work without the interruptions of everyday life.