VICTORIA UNIVERSITY / CREATIVE NEW ZEALAND EMERGING MĀORI WRITER IN RESIDENCE 2020

The University invites applications for appointment as Victoria University of Wellington/Creative New Zealand Emerging Māori Writer in Residence 2020. 

The appointment is jointly funded by Victoria University of Wellington and Creative New Zealand. It has been created to foster Māori writing by providing the appointee with the opportunity to write full-time within a creative institution for the period of tenure. Applications are invited from Māori writers in all areas of literary activity, including drama, fiction and poetry (page and performance), devised performance, creative non-fiction, graphic novels, etc.  Applicants should be writers at an early stage of their career, with a growing body of work, and must be New Zealand citizens. Applications from small groups or collectives will also be considered, although the resources remain the same as for an individual writer.  There is no restriction on the occupation of applicants, but they should not be employees of Creative New Zealand or Victoria University, nor have been employed by Victoria University in the twelve months prior to the closing date.  Full-time university staff members wishing to work in their specialist academic field, or (in the year of the residency) students working towards the completion of a tertiary qualification are also ineligible.  

Tenure and Terms 

The appointment will be for three months, during the second half of 2020 with dates to be agreed with the successful applicant.  The appointee will be resident in Wellington for that time and will be attached to an appropriate academic unit, such as the International Institute of Modern Letters.  While there is no obligation of formal teaching, some contribution is expected to be made to the University’s cultural and academic life, in a manner appropriate to the personal strengths and preferences of the appointee, in agreement with the Director or Head of School.  A University room will be provided, with access to administrative, library and other facilities. 

In consultation with the successful applicant, a Mentor from the Māori arts community will be sought.  The terms of the mentorship are to be agreed between the Writer, the Mentor, and the International Institute of Modern Letters as appropriate. 

Salary 

Salary is NZ$15,000 for the three-month period + 8% holiday pay to be paid when the term of appointment ends. Neither the University nor Creative New Zealand can provide living accommodation. 

Further Information 

Further enquiries may be made to Katie Hardwick-Smith, International Institute of Modern Letters, Ph: 04 4636854 or email modernletters@vuw.ac.nz 

Applications  

Please apply online at the Victoria University vacancies page. 

The following information must be submitted with applications: 

(a)        relevant published writings and work in progress (see below)

(b)        proposal for work during tenure (see below)

(c)        present position

(d)       details of any other funding for the intended project

Details to be Provided 

Applicants should provide personal details and an outline of relevant published writings and work in progress, which may be presented via any of the following platforms: published books, performance poetry, online venues, journals, theatre, film or television; and which may be readily accessed by the Appointment Committee.

A covering letter describing the work intended during the term of the appointment is required. 

Applicants should also provide details of any other funding for the intended project/s. 

It is expected that the appointment will be announced as early as possible after applications close.

Applications close 25 November 2019. 

Projects may be written in English or te reo Māori. 

Victoria University of Wellington is an EEO employer and actively seeks to meet its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi.