Unique and 'invaluable' Children’s Writer Residency seeks support

For 32 years, the Children’s Writer residency at the University of Otago, which is the only one of its kind in New Zealand, has supported gifted writers.

Its alumni list reads like a who’s who of New Zealand children’s literature: Jack Lasenby, Dame Kāterina Te Heikōkō Mataira, Fleur Beale, Vincent Ford, Kyle Mewburn, Barbara Else, Fifi Colston and Feana Tu’akoi, to name a few.

Renowned New Zealand author and educator, David Hill CNZM says the residency provided him with the opportunity “to be surrounded by others for whom books and the fact of writing are both natural and central. That was hugely affirming”.

David was the University of Otago College of Education/Creative New Zealand Children’s Writer in Residence in 2003, sharing the residency with fellow author Pauline Cartwright. A multi award-winning author, David is best known for his work for young people, ranging from picture books to teen fiction.

Renowned New Zealand author David Hill

He is also a mentor for emerging writers and an advocate for children’s writers and book awards. His CNZM honours award citation in 2024 describes him as “part of the backbone of New Zealand children’s literature”.

“Mostly, writers spend their lives as a minority, working alone in their communities,” David says.

“What a boost it was to spend three months immersed in a climate where everyone acknowledged and valued books and writing.”

It also meant that as a provincial author, he was able to talk with other writers and be surrounded by literary events.

“It also made it so easy to focus on a large project. Inevitably, at home, you're surrounded by other obligations and commitments. But I was able to have three focused, almost selfish months committed to writing. It was invaluable.”

An important partner for the fellowship is The Robert Lord Writers Cottage Trust, which provides accommodation to the writer for the six-month term of the residency at no cost. Te Kura Ākau Taitoka | The University of Otago College of Education (Dunedin) provides the writer with office space and access to resources, managing the administration of the residency and funding the associated administrative costs. Creative New Zealand funding has provided the writer with a stipend.

Unfortunately, the University’s 2024 Creative New Zealand funding application for the residency was unsuccessful, and while the College of Education has managed to fund the residency this year, the University has made the difficult decision not to offer it in 2026.

Determined to get the residency back in place for 2027, Otago has launched a fundraising campaign to build an endowment fund to secure the residency’s future in perpetuity.

Dean of the College of Education, Professor Vivienne Anderson, says, “While we are grateful for the funding we have received from Creative New Zealand over many years, it has been disheartening to lose this really vital support for children’s literature in Aotearoa”.

“This residency is unique in New Zealand. It has resulted in quality literature for children and promoted children’s literature locally and nationally. If you look at any children’s section in a library or bookshop, or at the books children are reading in school, you will see previous residents’ names feature prominently.”

Vivienne notes that children’s literature is vitally important for fostering a love of reading. “It is also vital that we have stories that reflect and engage with the culture and identity of our young people in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our writers need to be supported to be able to produce quality children’s literature,” she says.

“We are committed to seeking alternative funding to be able to resume this important Children’s Writer in Residence and would be very grateful if you could help us get this unique and treasured residency back in place for 2027 and beyond.”