2019 Writers in Residence

As Aotearoa’s National Writers Centre, we are particularly delighted that in 2019 we will host more writers at the Devonport, Auckland house than ever before. Twenty-one opportunities will be offered to a diverse mix of emerging and established writers: historians, memoirists, essay writers, fiction writers, poets and dramatists.

From a history of the Listener to a series of inter-linked short stories exploring the Māori diaspora, the participants in the 2019 MKWC residency programme cover an exciting, varied and eclectic range of topics.

New in this year’s programme is the splitting of the University of Auckland/MKWC Residency into four time slots throughout the year, in order to attract a wider range of established writers. In 2019 we will welcome playwright Gary Henderson, novelist Emma Neale, creative non-fiction writer Joanna Randerson, and historian Joanne Drayton.

Other established writers to receive residencies include; Diane Brown, Ivy Alvarez, Dominic Hoey, Philippa Werry, Gigi Fenster, Kirsten McDougall, Murray Edmond and Fiona Samuels.

Of the many interesting and exciting projects these writers will be working on, Philippa Werry is focusing on a non-fiction children’s book about the New Zealand women’s suffrage movement. Joanne Drayton’s project takes a look at New Zealand history through the lens of the Listener – both the story of a publication, and the celebration of a maturing nation, from 1939 to the present day.

The Pasifika residencies will be held by Makereta Brown and Mariana Isara, who will each spend two weeks at the centre.

The recipients of the Māori writers’ residencies are Colleen Maria Lenihan and Jade Kake.

Other emerging writers to receive residencies include: Rachel O’Neill, Yvette Walker, Steven Touissant, Meagan France,  and Rijula Das.

The Michael King Writers Centre thanks all applicants and wishes all our residency recipients the best of luck with their work.