Signalmans House, on the slopes of Takarunga above Devonport, is home to the Michael King Writers Centre. It is an arts organisation that supports New Zealand writers, named after the historian and author Michael King. The Centre's main work is its writers' residency programme. Each year it offers 18 residencies, and since 2005 more than 190 writers have been through them. It also brings in 30 or more visiting writers a year, and it runs international exchanges with writers overseas. Some of the residencies are Māori Writers Residencies, and some run for a set season rather than a full year.
The residencies are the heart of the place. A writer who is selected gets time and a quiet base to work on a book or a project, away from the pull of daily life. For many New Zealand writers, a residency is the rare chance to put everything else aside and simply write. Devonport suits that kind of stay. It is a small, walkable village across the harbour from the city, with cafes, the wharf and the hill walks of Takarunga nearby.
We hear that applications for the 2027 residency programme have now closed. Recipients are expected to be announced in November 2026, so if you are a writer hoping to apply, watch for the next round. The Centre publishes a newsletter five times a year, which covers alumni news and updates from the Centre.
The Centre is at Signalmans House, Summit Road, Mount Victoria, Devonport, Auckland 0624. It is a good stop for anyone interested in New Zealand writing, whether you are a reader looking for the work of local writers or a writer looking for a place to work.