The Kaipukahu University of Waikato Writer In Residence 2026

The late Ngāti Wairere elder Meto Hopa spoke of an ancient whare wānanga of Ngāti Wairere called Te Tiwhaopareiriwhare that stood on the ridge now known as Hillcrest Road, Hamilton East. According to Meto, the surrounding forest and swamp was called Kaipukahu for its abundance of foods – kai meaning food, and pukahu meaning abundant. Equally significant was the food for the soul, the food for the mind and the food for the heart spread and gathered at the whare wānanga Te Tiwhaopareiriwhare.

The Kaipukahu University of Waikato residency for writers acknowledges the symbolism and mana of Kaipukahu, and the fact that the University of Waikato stands on the site of Te Tiwhaopareiriwhare. This award has been set up to enable a New Zealand writer of fiction, poetry, drama or non-fiction, or a literary translator of te reo Māori, to become the University's Kaipukahu Writer in Residence for 2026. We welcome applications for these genres in te reo Māori and in English.

The award fosters New Zealand writing by providing a full-time opportunity for a writer to work in an academic environment. It is sponsored jointly by the University of Waikato and Creative New Zealand. The selection of the successful writer will result from a recommendation made by a committee comprising members of the staff of the University of Waikato and of Creative New Zealand.

Applicants should be authors of proven merit, normally resident in New Zealand, or New Zealanders temporarily residing overseas. There is no restriction on the occupation of applicants, but the following persons are not eligible to apply : employees of Creative New Zealand, members of the Arts Council, The Arts Board, Te Waka Toi and the Pacific Arts Committee, students of tertiary institutions working towards the completion of a tertiary qualification, staff of the University of Waikato or any persons who have been employed by the University of Waikato in the 12 months prior to the nominated closing date for residency applications, and previous University of Waikato Writers in Residence.

Candidates should be New Zealand citizens or in possession of a Permanent Residence Visa. The Writer in Residence is expected to be present on campus during the tenure of the award. It is expected that the writer will take up the appointment in early January 2026. The award is tenable for twelve months, to 31 December 2026. The taxable income will be $57,408.

The Writer will have a desk in Te Kura Toi School of Arts, and access to computing and university facilities, including the university library. While it is not expected that the writer will undertake any teaching during the term of this appointment, it is expected that they will participate in the cultural life of the university.

Outreach and engagement activities might include the following :

• Responding to invitations to talk to local community groups
• Participating in local literary festivals
• Talking to local professional writing groups
• Responding to invitations to visit secondary schools to talk to aspiring writers
• Talking to student writers on campus
• Talking to creative writing classes on campus
• Maximising opportunities for interdisciplinary conversations with colleagues and students in the wider university

The Writer in Residence may also like to consider the following activities, which would be remunerated separately :

The Writer is expected to provide an interim report on their residency in May / June, and to complete the report on their year within two months of completion of the residency.

Applications Should Include

Direct enquiries may be made to Sarah Shieff or Catherine Chidgey. Applications are to be made on the University of Waikato application form available from our careers website.

Applications close on Friday, 24th October 2025

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