Visiting Writers

Writers are able to stay at the centre for short-term visits either to write or to carry out research.
This opportunity is available to international and New Zealand writers. The minimum length of stay is one week, with a maximum of two months. Visit the accommodation page for the current rate and for terms and conditions.

Majella Cullinane: 2021 1920 1920 Michael King Writers Centre

Majella Cullinane: 2021

We have welcomed Majella as the recipient of the 2021 NZSA Auckland Museum Research Grant which includes four weeks of residency time at MKWC. Majella…

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Chris Maclean: 2021 960 960 Michael King Writers Centre

Chris Maclean: 2021

Chris is a Waikanae based writer and publisher with a keen interest in the outdoors. An early career as a stained-glass artist led to his…

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Suzette Jackson: 2021 408 408 Michael King Writers Centre

Suzette Jackson: 2021

Suzette recently completed her MSW thesis titled: Career Pathways of Social Workers with Criminal Convictions: Gifted Healers and Misunderstood Misfits. She used her week at…

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Cassandra Tse: 2020 1365 1367 Michael King Writers Centre

Cassandra Tse: 2020

Cassandra is a playwright, director and performer, as well as the Artistic Director of Red Scare Theatre Company. Her previous writing for theatre includes The…

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Christopher Keene: 2020 2098 2099 Michael King Writers Centre

Christopher Keene: 2020

CHRIS is a LitRPG, Fantasy and Sci-fi writer. He is published in New Zealand and in America under Future House Publishing and is known for…

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Sue Wootton: 2019 1350 1433 Michael King Writers Centre

Sue Wootton: 2019

Sue Wootton is an editor, novelist and poet. She was the 2008 Robert Burns Fellow, held the 2018/19 Beatson Fellowship, and is the 2020 Katherine…

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Valerie Monk: 2019 1105 1143 Michael King Writers Centre

Valerie Monk: 2019

Valerie (Ringer) Monk is a researcher and writer with a background in journalism and public relations.  She specialises in New Zealand commercial ceramics.  Valerie has…

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Sarah Ell: 2019 1809 1945 Michael King Writers Centre

Sarah Ell: 2019

Sarah Ell was born and raised on Auckland’s North Shore. She trained as a newspaper journalist before working in magazine and book publishing, and has…

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Lucie Rivet: 2019 540 540 Michael King Writers Centre

Lucie Rivet: 2019

Lucie is a French writer who lives in Governors Bay with her partner Aaron. She used to write speeches for French political women (a minister…

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Ber Kotlerman: 2019 854 853 Michael King Writers Centre

Ber Kotlerman: 2019

Currently a professor of literature and Jewish culture at Bar Ilan University, Israel, Ber Kotlerman  belongs to the new generation of authors involved in revival…

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Jonas Forssell: 2019 768 768 Michael King Writers Centre

Jonas Forssell: 2019

Jonas is a Swedish opera composer and librettist born in Stockholm. Amongst his more than 15 scenic works, his opera comedy Thine is the Kingdom…

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Carin Ardelius (2019)
Also (2017) (2015) (2014)
1574 1577 Michael King Writers Centre

Carin Ardelius (2019)
Also (2017) (2015) (2014)

Carin Svensson (formerly Ardelius) started writing in the 1980s while living in New Zealand. She had her first poems and short stories published in Islands and Landfall.…

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Yvette Walker: 2018 726 726 Michael King Writers Centre

Yvette Walker: 2018

Yvette Walker is an Australian LGBTQIA writer of Irish ancestry. She has a BA (Honours) and a PhD from Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia.…

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Amy McDaid: 2018 715 715 Michael King Writers Centre

Amy McDaid: 2018

Amy McDaid has a Master of Creative Writing from the University of Auckland. The draft of her first novel Wind Air Sky Guy won the…

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Kristina Belich (2013) 167 167 Michael King Writers Centre

Kristina Belich (2013)

Kristina Belich, a bloggette, stand-up comic sort of thing from New York City, travels the world, and seeks ultimate truth. As a personal note: I…

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Nataliya Oryshcuk (2014) 250 250 Michael King Writers Centre

Nataliya Oryshcuk (2014)

Originally coming from Ukraine, Nataliya is a Christchurch based academic, actress, street performer and an emerging playwright. With a PhD in Russian studies and particular…

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John Downie (2014) 100 100 Michael King Writers Centre

John Downie (2014)

John Downie has been a visiting writer at the Michael King Writers’ Centre twice, first in 2013 and again in 2014. In 2014 he worked on…

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Barry Brickell (2014) (2012) 237 237 Michael King Writers Centre

Barry Brickell (2014) (2012)

Artist, potter, conservationist and railway enthusiast Barry Brickell has been a visiting writer at the Michael King Writers’ Centre in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and…

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Sarah Stonich (2015) 250 250 Michael King Writers Centre

Sarah Stonich (2015)

Sarah Stonich is an American writer and editor based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was a visiting writer at the Michael King Writers’ Centre in early 2015,…

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Jaspreet Singh (2015) (2014) 162 162 Michael King Writers Centre

Jaspreet Singh (2015) (2014)

Author Jaspreet Singh was a visiting writer at the Michael King Writers’ Centre in March 2015. It was the second time he was resident at…

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Suzanne Weinert (2019) (2018) (2017) (2022) (2023) 799 800 Michael King Writers Centre

Suzanne Weinert (2019) (2018) (2017) (2022) (2023)

Last summer (2016), I was staying in an Airbnb in Devonport and a friend drove me to the top of Mount Victoria to see the…

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Laurence Fearnley ( 2017) 181 181 Michael King Writers Centre

Laurence Fearnley ( 2017)

Dunedin writer Laurence Fearnley was awarded the 2016 NZSA/Auckland Museum Research Grant (taken up in 2017). Laurence’s project focuses on landscape and scent and is…

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Joan Norlev Taylor: 2018 1187 1187 Michael King Writers Centre

Joan Norlev Taylor: 2018

Joan Norlev Taylor stayed at the centre as the recipient of the NZSA/Auckland Museum Research Grant, (awarded in 2017 and taken up in 2018). During…

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Margaret Brosnahan (2018) (2015) 250 250 Michael King Writers Centre

Margaret Brosnahan (2018) (2015)

Margaret Brosnahan, from Northland, first stayed as a visiting writer  for several weeks during the first half of 2015. She returned in 2018 but this…

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Jenny Howarth (2018)
(2017) (2015) (2014) (2013)
250 250 Michael King Writers Centre

Jenny Howarth (2018)
(2017) (2015) (2014) (2013)

Jenny Haworth is well-known as both publisher and writer. She is a regular visitor to the centre and  in 2014  was awarded the NZ Society…

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Warwick Pudney (2017)
(2016) (2015)
250 250 Michael King Writers Centre

Warwick Pudney (2017)
(2016) (2015)

Warwick Pudney has been a regular visiting writer, spending time at the centre most years to devote time to his writing . He is senior…

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Tui Allen (2016) 225 225 Michael King Writers Centre

Tui Allen (2016)

Tui was born in Te Awamutu but spent 40 years living in Auckland before returning to live in the Waikato in the year 2000. She…

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Michael Woodcock (2016) 250 250 Michael King Writers Centre

Michael Woodcock (2016)

Michael Woodcock is a New Zealander living in Rural Wairarapa (Carterton) with his wife Gaye, on their small farm nestled close to the Tararua Mountains.…

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Mary Macpherson (2016) (2012) 250 250 Michael King Writers Centre

Mary Macpherson (2016) (2012)

Mary Macpherson is a Wellington poet and photographer. She completed an MA in Creative Writing at Victoria University in 2006 and her work has appeared…

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Ivy Alvarez (2018) 360 360 Michael King Writers Centre

Ivy Alvarez (2018)

Ivy Alvarez is the author of The Everyday English Dictionary (London: Paekakariki Press, 2016), Hollywood Starlet (Chicago: dancing girl press), Disturbance (Wales: Seren, 2013), and Mortal. A three-time Pushcart Prize nominee, her…

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Brigid Lowry (2017) 704 703 Michael King Writers Centre

Brigid Lowry (2017)

Brigid Lowry has an MA in Creative Writing.  Auckland-born, she now lives in Western Australia but spends as much time in Aotearoa as she can.…

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Kathy Derrick (2017) 250 247 Michael King Writers Centre

Kathy Derrick (2017)

Katharine Derrick lives in Kerikeri and writes mainly for children and young adults. She once had a fifty-word story published in Brian Edwards’ Book of…

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Donna Blaber (2017) 188 187 Michael King Writers Centre

Donna Blaber (2017)

Donna Blaber writes fiction and non-fiction for children and adults. She is an experienced journalist, magazine editor and author. Her first book, New Zealand Driving Holidays,…

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Hussein Rawlings (2016) 141 141 Michael King Writers Centre

Hussein Rawlings (2016)

Hussein describes himself as a late starter who began writing in 1999 by request, on accounts of experiences in the remote back country and the…

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Daniel Wynne (2016) 250 250 Michael King Writers Centre

Daniel Wynne (2016)

Daniel Wynne is an Australian writer whose short fiction has appeared in publications like Griffith Review, Voiceworks and 100 Stories for Queensland. Originally from Frankston, Victoria, he’s spent the…

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Paolo Rotondo (2016) 250 238 Michael King Writers Centre

Paolo Rotondo (2016)

Paolo is an award-winning Italo-Kiwi artist working in Film, Television and Theatre in New Zealand for twenty years as a writer, actor and director. In…

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Dorothy-Howie
Dorothy Howie (2018)
(2017) (2016)
250 250 Michael King Writers Centre

Dorothy Howie (2018)
(2017) (2016)

Dorothy Howie is a New Zealander who is a visiting writer staying at the Centre for the first time. She shares her time between her…

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Christine Hayvice (2016) 360 360 Michael King Writers Centre

Christine Hayvice (2016)

Christine Hayvice is a Kiwi who has lived in Canada for many years, but these days spends part of the year living in New Zealand.…

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Zoe Meager (2016) 240 240 Michael King Writers Centre

Zoe Meager (2016)

Zoë Meager is from Christchurch, New Zealand. She studied a Masters in Creative Writing at the University of Auckland in 2012, and in 2013 won…

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Irene Rose (2015) 185 185 Michael King Writers Centre

Irene Rose (2015)

Irene grew up in Central Otago and now lives in Ireland, where her short stories have been published and broadcast. She was nominated for a…

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Christine Hayvice (2016)
(2015) (2013)
246 246 Michael King Writers Centre

Christine Hayvice (2016)
(2015) (2013)

Christine Hayvice is a New Zealander who has lived in Canada for many years, but she returns to the place of her birth regularly. She…

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Meg Torwl (2013) 167 167 Michael King Writers Centre

Meg Torwl (2013)

Meg Torwl, a New Zealander who lived in Canada, stayed at the centre in early 2013. She described the centre as “superb beyond all expectations”.…

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Wendyl Nissen (2012) 201 201 Michael King Writers Centre

Wendyl Nissen (2012)

Wendyl Nissen is an Auckland journalist who works across newspapers, magazines, television and radio. She is the author of Bitch and Famous (Penguin), a memoir of her…

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Suzanne Singleton (2012) 242 242 Michael King Writers Centre

Suzanne Singleton (2012)

After a lifetime writing academic essays and reports, Suzanne Singleton now writes fiction. She has observed a variety of people and places throughout many years…

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Maria Hansen (2012) 577 577 Michael King Writers Centre

Maria Hansen (2012)

Imagine having a room in which to write, with a heavy old door that keeps the noise out, in a building that has stood strong…

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Jill Jones (2012) 250 250 Michael King Writers Centre

Jill Jones (2012)

Jill Jones is an Australian poet who has published six full-length books of poetry including Dark Bright Doors, 2010; Broken/Open, 2005; Screens Jets Heaven: New and Selected Poems,…

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Gordon Ogilvie (2012) 247 247 Michael King Writers Centre

Gordon Ogilvie (2012)

Gordon Ogilvie (1934 – 2017) A Christchurch historian and biographer. He was a visiting writer at the Michael King Writers’ Centre in October 2012, when…

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Bianca Zander (2012) 245 245 Michael King Writers Centre

Bianca Zander (2012)

Bianca Zander’s first novel The Girl Belowcame out in the US and New Zealand in 2012 to widespread critical acclaim. It will be released in the…

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Anna Wilding (2012) 250 250 Michael King Writers Centre

Anna Wilding (2012)

Anna Wilding has carved an internationally-recognised and award-winning career as a writer, director, producer and actress. Born in Christchurch, Anna has spent half her life…

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Annette Willis (2012) 250 250 Michael King Writers Centre

Annette Willis (2012)

Annette Willis, who collaborates with Australian poet Jill Jones and who has a great interest in New Zealand writers such as Janet Frame, stayed at…

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Sue Perkins (2011) 187 187 Michael King Writers Centre

Sue Perkins (2011)

Sue Perkins has been a regular visiting writer to the MKWC since 2008. Originally from Devon, England, she emigrated with a young family and now…

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Louise Deans (2011) 188 188 Michael King Writers Centre

Louise Deans (2011)

Louise Deans was one of four Christchurch writers offered a free week at the Michael King Writers’ Centre as a respite from the Canterbury earthquakes.…

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John Cranna (2011) 180 180 Michael King Writers Centre

John Cranna (2011)

John Cranna is a former Chair of the Auckland Society of Authors. John has published two books of fiction, Visitors and Arena, one of non-fiction and has won…

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Jennifer Barrer (2011) 237 237 Michael King Writers Centre

Jennifer Barrer (2011)

Jennifer Barrer is a New Zealand poet who has produced five collections of poetry. Jennifer’s literary career began in her childhood and her first book…

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Deborah Heath (2011) 250 250 Michael King Writers Centre

Deborah Heath (2011)

Deborah is from Brighton,England.  She completed her MA at Sussex University, where she now works.  Deborah fell in love with New Zealand when she came to visit…

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Caren Wilton (2011) 244 244 Michael King Writers Centre

Caren Wilton (2011)

Caren Wilton is a Wellington-based writer, editor, oral historian and wannabe documentary filmmaker. The author of short-story collection The Heart Sutra (University of Otago Press, 2003), and…

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Joan Rosier-Jones (2010) 150 150 Michael King Writers Centre

Joan Rosier-Jones (2010)

Joan Rosier-Jones was born in Christchurchand has lived in London, Wellington and Auckland, and now lives in Wanganui. She started her working life as a…

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Helen Sword (2010) 238 238 Michael King Writers Centre

Helen Sword (2010)

Devonport resident Helen Sword is a scholar, teacher, artist and poet who has published widely on modernist literature, higher education pedagogy, digital poetics, and academic writing. Born…

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Andie Palmer (2010) 200 200 Michael King Writers Centre

Andie Palmer (2010)

Andie Palmer is a linguistic and legal anthropologist conducting research on comparative legal systems and cross-cultural miscommunication. She is in Aotearoa New Zealand to observe…

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Tracy Farr (2009) 150 150 Michael King Writers Centre

Tracy Farr (2009)

Tracy Farr’s novel The Life and Loves of Lena Gaunt was published by Fremantle Fress in July 2013. Tracy completed the first draft of the manuscript while…

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Paul Diamond (2009) 189 189 Michael King Writers Centre

Paul Diamond (2009)

Paul Diamond (Ngäti Hauä, Te Rarawa and Ngäpuhi) is a writer, historian and broadcaster. After working as an accountant for seven years, he switched to…

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Jill Marshall (2009) 245 245 Michael King Writers Centre

Jill Marshall (2009)

UK-born Jill Marshall is best known as the author of the Jane Blonde spy series for children published by Macmillan Publishing. Jane Blonde books are…

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Anne Beaglehole (2009) 245 245 Michael King Writers Centre

Anne Beaglehole (2009)

Ann Beaglehole was born in Hungary and came to New Zealand (to Wellington) with her parents in 1956 after the Hungarian uprising against the former…

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