The late Ngāti Wairere elder Meto Hopa spoke of an ancient whare wānanga of Ngāti Wairere called Te Tiwhaopareiriwhare that stood on the ridge now known as Hillcrest Road, Hamilton East. According to Meto, the surrounding forest and swamp was called Kaipukahu for its abundance of foods – kai meaning food, and pukahu meaning abundant. Equally significant was the food for the soul, the food for the mind and the food for the heart spread and gathered at the whare wānanga Te Tiwhaopareiriwhare. The Kaipukahu University of Waikato residency for writers acknowledges the symbolism and mana of Kaipukahu, and the fact that the University of Waikato stands on the site of Te Tiwhaopareiriwhare.

This award has been set up to enable a New Zealand writer of fiction, poetry, drama or non-fiction, or a literary translator of te reo Māori, to become the University's Kaipukahu Writer in Residence for 2026. We welcome applications for these genres in te reo Māori and in English.

The award fosters 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 New Zealand. 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 New Zealand. Applicants should be authors of proven merit, normally resident in New Zealand, or New Zealanders temporarily residing overseas.

It is expected that the Writer will take up the appointment in early January 2026. The award is tenable for twelve months, to 31 December 2026. The taxable income will be $57,408. The Writer will have a desk in Te Kura Toi School of Arts, and access to computing and university facilities, including the university library.

For more information and to apply, please click here.