­

Logo Logo

  • Find a writer
  • Join Us
  • Login / My Account
  • About
        • Join us Find out about we offer
        • Who we are The story of our establishment in 1934 onwards; our past presidents
          • Our National Board (and list of past presidents)
          • Presidents of Honour Current President of Honour, Janet Frame Memorial lectures, list of past Presidents of Honour
          • Our StaffIncluding National Office staff, NZ Author Magazine Editor, PEN representative, and our representatives in industry sector groups
          • Te Kaituhi Māori Te Kaituhi Māori is an exciting evolving space designed to bring together, support, and uplift the voices of kaituhi Māori from across the motu and beyond. Te Kaituhi Māori is run by kaituhi Māori for kaituhi Māori.
        • Our branches Join one of our eight regional branches. For writers under 30, there is Pens and PJs too!
          • Northland Branch
          • Auckland Branch
          • Waikato Branch
          • Central Districts Branch
          • Wellington Branch
          • Top of the South Branch
          • Canterbury Branch
          • Otago/Southland
          • Pens and PJs NZSA youth writing group
        • Advertise with us Reach out to our members, industry professionals, key stakeholders and subscribing libraries. Advertising Rates, Deadlines and Booking Forms.
        • Partners The NZ Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (PEN NZ) Inc is proudly supported by a range of organisations and with thanks to those who support us and the literary sector in Aotearoa.
        • Donate Now
        • Our podcasts The NZ Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (PEN NZ) Inc shares its audio history! Oral histories of writers from the 1970s on, notable recorded lectures and workshops
  • Advocacy
        • Public Lending Right
        • Archive – letters and submissions
        • Copyright
        • PEN International, Writers in Prison PEN International and advocacy on behalf of writers whose freedom of speech and expression are threatened
        • Courage Day and the Empty Chair campaign
        • Read local buy local
        • Media adaptation and quotas
        • Fair rates of pay
        • Support for export
        • Sustainability in publishing industry
        • Ministry of Education, licensing and rights
  • Professional Development
    • NZSA Mentor Programme Giving beginning/emerging writers the opportunity to work closely with an experienced writer as their mentor
    • NZSA Kaituhi Māori Mentorship Programme Giving emerging writers who whakapapa Māori the opportunity to work closely with an acclaimed Māori writer as their mentor to hone their tuhituhi ability and, in the process, evolve and refine a work toward a publishable state  
    • NZSA Kupu Kaitiaki Programme for Kaituhi Māori A programme pairing emerging kaituhi Māori with an experienced te reo Māori pūkenga and literary advisor - Kupu Kaitiaki - to offer valuable feedback on a manuscript written in te reo Māori
    • NZSA Youth Mentor Programme Giving emerging writers who are senior secondary school students mentoring support. With the aim to nurture, encourage, inspire and develop emerging writers with the support of established authors through the mentoring process.
    • NZSA StartWrite writing sample and synopsis assessment programme An excellent opportunity for writers who want to get an appraisal for part of a manuscript. Writers can send in a piece of writing, up to 6,000 words (for poetry up to 20 pages), and a one page synopsis.
    • NZSA CompleteMS Manuscript Assessment Programme The aim of the programme is to provide writers with that essential critical feedback on an advanced work, moving it closer to publication.
    • NZSA Webworkshops Featuring writers and industry professionals offering virtual workshops on topics such as self-publishing, romance writing, poetry, structure, short stories, pitching, contract advice, dystopian writing and the business of writing.
    • NZSA Writer Toolkit Take modules on craft, industry and life as a writer. Whether you’re starting out, mid-career or established. Available to do in your own time.
    • NZSA Regional Roadshows Each one-day conference offers local writers access to professional development, masterclasses, workshops and panel discussions taught by experienced writers from across Aotearoa.
    • Te Kaituhi Māori Professional DevelopmentWriter Toolkit modules and kōrero for kaituhi Māori
    • Perfect Online Pitch An annual opportunity to pitch your (polished) manuscript to a leading New Zealand publisher and, if successful, to submit your full manuscript.
  • Awards
        • NZSA Laura Solomon Cuba Press Prize Annual and open to published and unpublished authors who are invited to enter manuscripts written across genres ie fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, drama or children’s writing, to be judged within the criteria set by Laura Solomon, for new writing with a ‘unique and original vision’.
        • NZSA Peter and Dianne Beatson Fellowship Annual award open to (NZSA member) writers of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and drama who are working on a new project.
        • Michael Gifkins Prize for an Unpublished Novel This prize ran for six years, with six exciting books being published and released as a result.
        • CLNZ|NZSA Research Grants Annual grant for New Zealand writers that provides assistance to writers wishing to undertake research for a fiction or non-fiction writing project.
        • CLNZ|NZSA Writers Award Annual grant providing financial support for writers wishing to devote time to a specific project, and to cover reasonable research expenses relating to it.
        • NZSA Lilian Ida Smith Award Provides the successful applicant with an award of $3000 to assist them towards completion of a specific project.
        • NZSA Shaw Writer’s AwardA new annual award for mid-career fiction writers working on a new project.
        • NZSA Jessie Mackay & Hubert Church Memorial Awards – A History
  • Members
        • NZSA Membership Benefits Your NZ Society of Authors membership gives you access to a wide variety of benefits.
        • Members Only Advice Info and links to members only advice and information.
        • Logging on and managing your profile for members
        • Rejoining and Renewing Members Information about how to rejoin or renew your membership
        • NZ Author Magazine Current issue and archive of previous issues
        • Literary Bulletin Current issue and archive of previous issues
        • Latest books by NZSA MembersThe New Books Bulletin is a monthly e-release showcasing published writing in the quarter of their release
        • New Books Bulletin submissionCurrent members of the New Zealand Society of Authors can submit one book per monthly issue. Information submitted must be correct and proofed. Please check before submitting.
        • Professional opportunities within NZSA NZSA offers a number of opportunities for NZSA members – paid opportunities that utilise the skills that members have developed as part of their writing career, and in opportunities to take a more active part in our writing community (some paid, some voluntary).
        • NZSA Logo for Members
        • Health and safety compliance For NZSA events including covid 19 policies
        • Members Discounts
        • Members Only Contract Info Resources for assessing contracts
  • Resources
        • Most popular resources Quick links to our top pages
        • Writing All about assessments/assessors, structural editing, copy editing, editors, proofreaders and more
        • Publishing Written a book? - information about the publishing landscape and links to NZ publishers
        • Marketing Once your book has been assessed, edited, designed and is going to press you can market it.
        • Writing Groups Local writing groups by region
        • Further Resources Some useful links to resources

Archives: Festivals

  • PUKAPUKA ADVENTURES Free Family Fun Ak May 18-19

    Posted on 3 May 2024

      Come and enjoy a free family weekend at the Auckland Writers Festival. From 18 – 19 of May, Pukapuka Adventures will take over the top floor of the Aotea Centre. Expect book readings, dancing, singing, drawing, zine-making, crafting activities and more. The interactive line-up has been inspired by all the wonderful words and illustrations from newly […]

    Continue reading

  • Prominent writers pull out of PEN AMERICA literary festival, citing Gaza

    Posted on 19 March 2024

      March 15, WASHINGTON POST: A group of writers including Lorrie Moore and Michelle Alexander announced Thursday that they are pulling out of this year’s PEN AMERICA World Voices Festival, citing the organizer’s inaction over the war in Gaza. In a letter published on Lit Hub, the writers criticized literary nonprofit PEN America for failing […]

    Continue reading

  • Auckland Writers Festival announces unbeatable lineup for this year’s Festival – world’s top writers light up New Zealand this May

    Posted on 13 March 2024

    The Auckland Writers Festival today unveils the full Festival programme with more than 40 international authors and 200 events live in Auckland this autumn   Full Festival programme is available here. The 2024 Auckland Writers Festival Waituhi O Tāmaki reveals one of the starriest lineups in years, inviting New Zealanders to spend a week with […]

    Continue reading

  • Literary heavyweights vie for top fiction prize in Ockham NZ Book Awards

    Posted on 6 March 2024

    WEDNESDAY 6 MARCH 2024  Booker Prize-winning author Eleanor Catton faces off against critically acclaimed former national award winners Emily Perkins, Pip Adam and Stephen Daisley for the $65,000 Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction, as finalists in the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards announced today. The four novelists are joined by a further 12 […]

    Continue reading

  • Catriona Ferguson appointed as Managing Director of AWF

    Posted on 16 January 2024

    The Auckland Writers Festival has announced the appointment of our new Managing Director, Catriona Ferguson. Catriona is an integral part of Aotearoa’s literary community, bringing over 20 years of experience and knowledge to the Festival. Formerly the Director of the Publishers Association of New Zealand Te Rau o Tākupu and Chief Executive Officer of Read NZ Te […]

    Continue reading

  • The Diaspora Grows Louder – Books by Aotearoa’s South Asian Writers

    Posted on 7 November 2023

    Published on KETE Books and RNZ Saraid de Silva curates a selection of recent books by Aotearoa’s South Asian writers. Find more information about the books in this selection here. I’m lucky that so many of my literary heroes are South Asian. As a teenager, reading the work of writers like Kiran Desai, Jhumpa Lahiri, […]

    Continue reading

  • NZSA President of Honour Witi Ihimaera will deliver the 2023 NZSA Janet Frame Memorial Lecture

    Posted on 2 October 2023

    You are invited to hear NZSA President of Honour Witi Ihimaera    deliver the 2023 NZSA Janet Frame Memorial Lecture     The NZSA Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (PEN NZ) appoints a President of Honour each year from the ranks of its revered and senior members. This year, NZSA President of Honour, Witi Ihimaera DCNZM, QSM, will deliver the […]

    Continue reading

  • the inaugural AT THE BAY | I TE KOKORU Katherine Mansfield creative writing competition

    Posted on 22 July 2023

    Introducing…  AT THE BAY | I TE KOKORU Katherine Mansfield creative writing competition Bring your Sparkling Prose We’re pleased to announce a new competition for a mix of storytelling genres: submit your micros, flash, hybrid work (including poetry and prose combined) or short stories. Win $500 plus publication of your story at AT THE BAY […]

    Continue reading

  • The Coalition for Books annual Winter Hui series – register now

    Posted on 17 July 2023

    The Coalition for Books is hosting four Zoom hui to bring our members and the broader book sector together to discuss current challenges and to promote dialogue about sector needs. The hui are each an hour-long between 27 July – 8 August. More Hui #1 – Thursday July 27th @10.00 am Writers Festivals Post Covid […]

    Continue reading

  • AUCKLAND WRITERS FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

    Posted on 3 June 2023

    02 June 2023 Auckland Writers Festival |Waituhi O Tāmaki is thrilled to announce one of the UK’s leading literary industry talents as its new Artistic Director – ushering in a bold and exciting new era for New Zealand’s largest and most anticipated annual festival of books and ideas. Lyndsey Fineran, Deputy Head of Programming, international programme and […]

    Continue reading

  • Dunedin Writers and Readers announces new team for 2023 event

    Posted on 12 April 2023

    Ōtepoti (Tuesday 11 April) The Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival (DWRF) is starting a new chapter with the recruitment of Kitty Brown (Ngāi Tahu, Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe, Ngāti Kahungunu) as Event Manager, four new Trustees and a fundraising manager. Chair of the Festival Board, Nicola McConnell says, “We’re delighted to welcome Kitty, to the team. […]

    Continue reading

  • NZ’s most-anticipated festival of ideas unveils 2023 programme – a triumphant return of international literary giants and 160 in-person events

    Posted on 23 March 2023

    The Auckland Writers Festival tonight unveiled the full programme for its 23rd Festival, with 160 live events in Auckland over six days, 16 – 21 May 2023. Every year the Auckland Writers Festival Waituhi O Tāmaki sets the cultural agenda in Aotearoa, as the world’s best writers and thinkers arrive in Auckland for one week […]

    Continue reading
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4

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

Our mission is to actively and responsibly support and represent the interests of all New Zealand’s writers and the communities they serve. We are a not-for-profit incorporated society and a registered charitable entity: CC 61705.

Quick Links

  • About
  • Learning Hub
  • Members
  • Resources
  • Opportunities
  • Pen Info
  • Writers

Our Location

Postal:
PO Box 331 488, Takapuna, Auckland 0740

Physical Address:
Kotahitanga, Lvl 6, 19-21 Como St, Takapuna, Auckland, 0740

Get Social

Copyright © 2025 The New Zealand Society of Authors | Developed by The Web Company.

Copyright © 2025 The New Zealand Society of Authors | Developed by The Web Company