Emerging Māori Writer in Residence

By Victoria University of Wellington | Posted: Thursday Oct 09, 2025

Applications now open for the 2025 Emerging Māori Writer in Residence—apply by 31 October 2025.

About the residency

The Emerging Māori Writer's Residency was established in 2019 by Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, with the support of Creative New Zealand. The residency runs for three months in the first half of each year, subject to funding, and includes a writing room, a mentor from the Māori arts community, and a stipend of $15,000. Projects may be written in English or te reo Māori, and the residency is open to Māori writers working in all areas of literary activity, including drama, fiction and poetry (page and performance), devised performance, creative nonfiction, literary translation, and graphic novels, but excluding writing for film or television.

Applicants should be writers at an early stage of their careers, with a growing body of work. They must be either New Zealand citizens or hold permanent residency. There is no restriction on applicants’ occupations; however, they should not be full-time employees of Creative New Zealand or the University, nor have been employed on a full-time basis by the University in the twelve months prior to the closing date.

The 2025 resident is Dr Pounamu Jade Aikman (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Wairere, Ngāti Apakura, Ngāti Awa, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Tarāwhai, Te Arawa, Ngāti Uenukukōpako).

The full role description and application form are available on the Current Vacancies page of the University’s website. Enquiries should be directed to modernletters@vuw.ac.nz.

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington also offers the three-month Emerging Pasifika Writer's Residency, as well as the full-year Victoria University of Wellington/Creative New Zealand Writer's Residency, on an annual basis.