New Zealand Society of Authors (PEN NZ Inc) Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa

Phantom National Poetry Day

First established in 1997, National Poetry Day is a one-day national poetry event extravaganza held on a Friday in late August each year. In 2021, the date for Phantom National Poetry Day is Friday 27th August. Registrations for 2021 events will open on the 17th March. It’s an event that...
2022 Michael Gifkins Prize for an Unpublished Novel: Open for Entries

Text Publishing and the NZ Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc) are thrilled to announce entries for the 2022 Michael Gifkins Prize for an Unpublished Novel are now open. The Prize seeks fiction manuscripts by published and unpublished authors who are citizens or permanent residents...
Hamilton Book Month 2021

It’s almost August and Hamilton Book Month will soon be underway again with 21 events in 2021. Co-director Catherine Wallace says, ”We’ve got a great line-up this year with both literary icons and exciting new talent. Our audiences love interacting with visiting and local authors, hearing them read, buying their...
Michael Bennett: multi-award-winning author, screenwriter and director

NZSA Auckland Branch Meeting Friday 6 August from 5pm, meeting starts 6.15pm The Coffee Club, 42 High Street, Auckland CBD Join us in August when Weng Wai Chan asks: Why hasn't Michael Bennett been snapped up by Hollywood yet? The Auckland Branch is thrilled to welcome Michael, hot off the success of his TVNZ...
Applications open for NZSA Peter & Dianne Beatson Fellowship 2021

$10,000 Opportunity for Writers Applications open for NZSA Peter & Dianne Beatson Fellowship 2021 Calling for applications from writers of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and drama with a literary track record, who are currently working on a new project. This annual Fellowship is awarded each year to a mid-career or senior writer to...
Northland Branch National Short Story Competition 2021 - deadline 31 Aug

Open Section: Theme is The Wish, 1500-word limit, $12(gst inc) entry fee first story, $20 for two, $28 for three. First Prize $300, and a free critique for second and third places. The top three stories will be published on the NZSA Northland website. Year 7 & 8: Theme is The...
The NZSA New Zealand Heritage Literary Awards 2021 - open with deadline of 1 Aug 2021

NZSA Canterbury announces the 2021 NZSA New Zealand Heritage Book Awards will open for entries on the 1st June 2021. In its eighth year, this event is now firmly established on the New Zealand Literary calendar. Past winners have included Fiona Farrell, Witi Ihimaera, Whiti Hereaka and Brian Turner...
Book launch: Shelter by Kirstin le Harivel Saturday August 14 - 3.30 - 5.30pm

Kirsten Le Harivel, Passo and The Cuba Press warmly invite you to the launch of Shelter, the debut poetry collection by Kirsten Le Harivel. To be launched by Lynn Jenner. “Poems which will soothe you, move you and ultimately, shelter you” — Helen Lehndorf “Sensual, sexy, sweet, wry and occasionally bitter” — Lynn Jenner Venue: Passo Kāpiti's...
Online masterclass with Paula Morris

Kia ora writers, Online masterclass with Paula Morris, University of Auckland: Sunday 18 July. Our focus in this two-hour online class, designed for fiction and nonfiction writers, is the use of setting—time and place—in your writing. Whether you’re working on memoir, fantasy, family stories, an historical novel or contemporary realism, vivid...

The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (PEN NZ) Inc

Our Mission
Why you should join us

The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (PEN NZ) Inc is the principal representative for the professional interests of writers. Protecting basic rights to freedom of expression, working to improve income and conditions, promoting Aotearoa New Zealand writing and literary culture. Developing and creating a community for writers.

The right to freedom

of expression

The right to fair reward

Our Writers

The NZ Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc) has been representing the interests of NZ writers since 1934. We are a community of writers who are proud to include some of New Zealand’s finest writers as members. NZSA fights for freedom of expression through our affiliation to International PEN.

Branches and Hubs

Our eight branches from Northland to Southland offer the opportunity to network with other writers, attend workshops, take part in seminars, enjoy social events, learn aspects of the craft of writing, enter branch specific competitions, and participate in decision-making about the Society.

Membership Benefits

We represent writers of all genres and formats at all stages of their career. We offer information services, professional development programmes, advice and advocacy, awards, grants, residencies and fellowships, promotional opportunities and members discounts.

Latest News

Phantom National Poetry Day
26 July 2021
First established in 1997, National Poetry Day is a one-day national poetry event extravaganza held on a Friday in late August each year. In 2021, the date for Phantom National Poetry Day is Friday 27th August. Registrations for 2021 events will open on the 17th March. It’s an event that
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New Zealand Writers Guild announces the recipients of the First Round 2021 NZWG Seed and Seed Advanced Grants
26 July 2021
The New Zealand Writers Guild is pleased to congratulate the recipients of the first round of Seed and Seed Advanced for 2021. Seed is one of the most competitive writer-only grants for draft feature film scripts in New Zealand. They want to take this opportunity to thank the writing community for continuing to write
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Irish writer captures Kiwi readers’ hearts and minds – Whitcoulls Top 100 2021
26 July 2021
Celebrating 26 years of asking Kiwi readers to vote for their favourite books, Irish actor turned writer Lucinda Riley is newly crowned at number one with her series The Seven Sisters in the 2021 Whitcoulls Top 100 Books List, announced today (Monday 26 July.) This is a real vote of
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All News

MissionPartners

The NZ Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (PEN NZ) Inc is proudly supported by Creative New Zealand and a range of other organisations. We also take part in industry-wide coalitions and campaigns. Thanks to all those who support us and the literary sector in Aotearoa. For more about each please visit our Partners page.