Ngā Akoranga

Creative writing courses are offered at undergraduate level as part of a degree or as one-offs (for a Certificate of Proficiency). The Master of Creative Writing programme is one year, full-time, and limited to 12 students. Course director is Paula Morris, and Selina Tusitala Marsh co-supervises poets. The Faculty also offers PhDs with Creative Practice.

Creative writing courses are offered at undergraduate level (as part of a Bachelor of Creative Writing) and in the one-year Master of Creative Writing programme. Poet Richard Pamatau directs the programme, and teachers include James George and Siobhan Harvey.

Some undergraduate courses in creative writing are available. A Master of Writing includes creative and professional writing, and can be taken part-time.

Based in Auckland’s CBD, with a new additional location in Wellington, The Creative Hub offers a range of creative writing courses in-venue, and an introductory course online.

Since 2007, the Hagley Writers’ Institute has offered a part-time creative writing course for adults in Ōtautahi/Christchurch. It also hosts one-off public workshops by local and visiting writers. Tutors and mentors include Ben Brown, Melanie Dixon, Chloe Lane and Frankie McMillan.

Creative writing courses are available at its three campuses (Albany, Manawatū, Wellington) as well as through its online teaching programme. Massey also offers a Master’s in Creative Writing by distance learning. Robert Sullivan and Whiti Hereaka recently joined the creative faculty.

The New Zealand Society of Authors Regional Roadshow ‘brings professional development to the regions,’ through a series of one-day professional workshops, masterclasses and panel discussions in seven regions across the country.

The New Zealand Society of Authors Writer Toolkit is a new series of online craft sessions—on writing and the writing life—that any writer can download and watch at home. All webinars include notes, exercises and suggestions for follow-up reading. Topics include publishing and promotion.

A number of creative writing classes are offered at undergraduate level.

The Centre for Irish and Scottish Studies offers postgraduate supervision in creative writing at both master’s and PhD level. ‘Our preference is for writers of fiction. We offer particular expertise in the field of crime writing.’

Te Papa Tupu, developed by the Māori Literature Trust and organized by Huia Publishers, is a biennial programme ‘specifically for Māori writers who have written a complete manuscript, a first draft, and are looking to further develop it to be publication ready.’ Six selected writers receive a stipend to work alongside a mentor for six months, to develop a second draft of their manuscript. They attend workshops and writing festivals, and ‘become part of a writing community.’

Since Te Papa Tupu was established in 2010, many of the selected writers have gone on to publish their first manuscript, write further books, and establish their careers.

Te Papa Tupu 2024 writer profiles will be added soon.

Creative writing courses are offered at undergraduate level as part of a degree, and include a Māori and Pasifika Creative Writing Workshop taught in 2022 by Victor Rodger. The MA in Creative Writing programme is one year, full-time, with two streams of 10 for fiction and one stream of 10 for poetry/creative nonfiction. and limited to 12 students. IIML director is Damien Wilkins, and teachers include Kate Duignan, Tina Makereti and Chris Price. The IIML also offers PhDs with Creative Practice.

Creative writing courses are offered at undergraduate level as part of the Writing Studies programme. Teachers include Catherine Chidgey and Tracey Slaughter. The Masters of Professional Writing includes the option of a creative writing thesis.

Writers Practice is run by Kirsten Le Harivel from her Kapiti coast base, and offers workshops and retreats—both in-person and online. A number of Māori writers have taught sessions, including Whiti Hereaka and Ruby Solly.