An award has been set up to enable a New Zealand writer of fiction, poetry, drama, or serious non-fiction to become the University’s Writer in Residence in 2022.

This award has been created to foster 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 NZ and is administered by the University of Waikato and should always be referred to as the University of Waikato/Creative NZ Residency.

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 NZ. Applicants should be authors of proven merit, normally a 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 NZ, 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 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 will be expected to reside in Hamilton for the period of this appointment. It is expected that the Writer will take up the appointment in early January 2022.

The award is tenable for twelve months, to 31 December 2022. The taxable income will be $54,366.

The Writer will be provided with office space and computer facilities in the English Programme in Te Kura Toi, School of Arts and will be given access to 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 the Writer will participate in the cultural life and vibrancy of the university. 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. These will form the basis of the University’s reporting responsibilities to Creative NZ.

https://www.waikato.ac.nz/vacancies/current-vacancies

Applications are to be made on the University of Waikato application form available from our website www.jobs.waikato.ac.nz
Vacancy Number: 410245

Applications close on 15 October 2021 (NZ time).

Applications should include:
1. Full name and address.
2. Details of published writing and work in progress.
3. Outline of writing project(s) to be undertaken during the period of appointment.
4. A writing sample or an extract from a work in progress (maximum length 3000 words).
5. Present position and date by which you are able to commence the residency if offered the award.
6. Details of any writing qualifications and awards.

Direct enquiries may be made to Assoc. Prof. Sarah Shieff, email: sarah.shieff@waikato.ac.nz