Fergus Barrowman hands over reins

One of New Zealand’s best-known publishers, who discovered many of the country’s leading writers and guided 1,000 books to publication, will move into a new Publisher-at-Large role from 1 February 2027. Fergus Barrowman MNZM, Publisher of Te Herenga Waka University Press (THWUP), will take up a new part-time role as Publisher-at-Large from 1 February 2027. Fergus will remain involved in the publishing life of the Press, continuing to work with the team and champion New Zealand writing.

It is hard to overstate how significant Fergus’s influence has been for NZ books. Fergus joined what was then Victoria University Press in 1984 as assistant to Editor Pamela Tomlinson, and he kept the publishing programme going after her sudden death in 1985. Soon after this, he was appointed Editor himself, and he has stayed at the helm for more than forty years. Over these decades, he has guided 1,000 books to publication and grown the Press into Aotearoa’s leading publisher of new fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction, with a staff of seven and around 30 new books published a year.

Fergus has published many of the writers who define contemporary New Zealand literature, often at the very start of their careers. This includes Eleanor Catton, whose novel The Luminaries won the 2013 Man Booker Prize; Barbara Anderson; Catherine Chidgey; Elizabeth Knox; Damien Wilkins; Tusiata Avia; Jenny Bornholdt; Emily Perkins; Hera Lindsay Bird; Tayi Tibble; Rebecca K Reilly; and pip adam, who recently won the 2026 Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction for Audition.

In 2014, Fergus was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to publishing, and the Publishers Association of New Zealand called him 'one of this country’s great literary explorers.'

Professor Averil Coxhead, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, says Fergus’s contribution to New Zealand publishing is immeasurable. 'Fergus has had a profound influence on generations of writers and readers. He shaped Te Herenga Waka University Press into one of the country's most respected publishing houses, and we're delighted that he will continue playing a central role in the Press's future. His wisdom, experience, and relationships remain invaluable.'

Fergus is looking forward to the next phase. 'I have loved every minute of my 42 years at THWUP. While my role will change, my commitment to the Press, its authors and New Zealand literature remains as strong as ever. I'm excited by what comes next and very confident in the future—the Press is in good heart, with strong support from the university and a great team. I look forward to maintaining my close involvement.'

Managing Editor Ashleigh Young says, 'Fergus has built an extraordinary thing in Te Herenga Waka University Press. All of us here in the THWUP office are thrilled that we'll still be able to benefit from his immense knowledge and experience. Our 2027 publishing programme is already taking shape beautifully, and we look forward to continuing to share great books with readers.'