Grants
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It can be a struggle to earn a living and write a book at the same time. The organisations listed below offer grants and residencies relevant to writers of history.
Creative New Zealand offers annual grants in all areas of the arts: click here
New Zealand History Research Trust Fund Awards in History In 2012 the trust may grant one major award of $60,000 and a number of smaller awards of up to $12,000 each. This assistance can be used to fund research costs (such as photocopying, travel, or equipment) and/or living costs while researching and/or writing. The Fund does not provide assistance for the publication or reprinting of works, nor does it normally fund research and writing within tertiary institutions. Closing date 15 October : click here. An online application form is available.
{DIV(class=”col-md-6″)} Creative New Zealand Michael King Writer’s Fellowship This annual fellowship of $100,000 is awarded for a project in any literary genre including history that will take two years or more to complete. Applicants must have a strong reputation as a writer; been shortlisted for one or more literary awards; and probably will have achieved at least one other significant literary award or fellowship. Application closing date varies but is early in the year. click here
National Library For details of scholarships and awards on offer click here
J.M. Sherrard Award for Local & Regional History This biennial award is administered by the Canterbury Historical Association, and currently has a value of $1,000, which may be divided if there is more than one major award. No application is required. For more information contact: The Secretary, Canterbury Historical Association, History Department, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch. {DIV}{DIV}
{DIV(class=”row”)}{DIV(class=”col-md-6″)} University of Waikato Writer-in-Residence This residency allows writers to work fulltime on a piece of writing during the academic year and carries a stipend of $45,000. Closing date for applications is the end of September. Contact: The Director, Human Resource Management Division, The University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105 Hamilton.
Victoria University Writer-in-Residence This residency allows writers to work fulltime on a piece of writing during the academic year, carrying a stipend of $43,000. Applications close September each year. Contact: For further information or application packs: HR Assistant, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Victoria University, P.O. Box 600, Wellington.
Robert Burns Fellowship (Otago University) Offered by Otago University writers of imaginative literature, including poetry, drama, fiction, autobiography, biography, essays or literary criticism. Annual, 12 months, $69,124. Applications close on 1 June each year. Contact: Nicola Richmond, Division of Humanities, University of Otago, ph: 03 479 5793.
Auckland Museum Library Research Grant The New Zealand Society of Authors in association with the Auckland Museum offer three financial grants to provide assistance to writers wishing to undertake research for a writing project. For details click here Enquiries: programmes@nzauthors.org.nz or phone 09 379 4801. {DIV} {DIV(class=”col-md-6″)} Lillian Ida Smith $3000 awarded every two years to a writer over 35 years of age at the beginning of their career. Applicants must be members of the NZ Society of Authors. For entry forms and rules contact the NZSA national office, programmes@nzauthors.org.nz
Canterbury annual history grant The Canterbury History Foundation is continuing, with the help of the Canterbury Community Trust, to offer its annual grant of $13,000 to enable the research and completion of a work of interest and benefit to people in Canterbury. However, the work is not limited to Canterbury or local history and is not confined to book publication. No restriction is put on the occupation of an applicant, but awards are not made to full-time university academic staff. Contact the secretary, Binney Lock, for information: phone 03 351 6579.
Local government and local history societies can also be fruitful sources of funding.
For further possibilities and for more information on many of the above funding aids, go to the New Zealand Society of Authors website which has a comprehensive list of funding sources for writers : click here {DIV}{DIV}
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New Zealand Residencies
{DIV(class=”row”)}{DIV(class=”col-md-6″)}University of Auckland Residency at the Michael King Writers Centre
The Residency offers a writer a full-time opportunity to work in an academic environment together with residence and studio space at the Michael King Writers’ Centre in Devonport, Auckland. The position is available for six months and carries a stipend. For details click here{DIV}
{DIV(class=”col-md-6″)}Michael King Writers Centre{DIV}{DIV}
{DIV(class=”row”)}{DIV(class=”col-md-6″)} Randell Cottage{DIV} {DIV(class=”col-md-6″)}
Randell Cottage Writer’s Residency, Wellington. In partnership with the Embassy of France, New Zealand-France Friendship Fund and Creative New Zealand, the Randell Cottage Writers Trust provides a six-month residency each year and $22,000 to a French and NZ writer respectively: click here
Buddle Findlay Sargeson Fellowship, Auckland. Offers a live-in fellowship in central Auckland with stipend. The fellowship is often split between two writers. Closing date is the first Friday in November each year. For more information contact: Pam Smith, Marketing Co-ordinator, Telephone 09 363 0650 or email pam.smith@buddlefindlay.com{DIV}{DIV}
{DIV(class=”row”)}{DIV(class=”col-md-6″)}New Pacific Studio, Mount Bruce.Set on a 5 acre property close to native bush in the northern Wairarapa and 20 minutes drive north of Masterton. Aims to foster cross-fertilization among contemporary creative communities around the Pacific. Offers artists, writers and environmentalists in New Zealand and elsewhere low-cost accommodation and opportunities to interact with the local arts community. click here{DIV}
{DIV(class=”col-md-6″)}New Pacific Studio{DIV}{DIV}
{DIV(class=”row”)}{DIV(class=”col-md-6″)}Robert Lord Writer’s Cottage, Dunedin. Robert Lord (1945 -1992) was one of New Zealand’s pioneer playwrights (Joyful and Triumphant, Bert and Maisy, Well Hung). Before he died Robert put in place a plan that his cottage in Titan St would become a home for writers to come to Dunedin to write. The cottage is available as a rent-free writer’s residence for up to six months. For details click here
Tau mai e Kapiti Maori Writer’s Residency, Offers a grant and residence on Kapiti Island in the Kapiti Nature Lodge. The closing date for 2011 applications to be announced. The selection panel’s decision is normally announced early August, with the residency commencing late August. Phone 06 362 6606 or email minnie@kapitiislandalive.co.nz. {DIV} {DIV(class=”col-md-6″)}
Robert Lord Writer’s Cottage{DIV}{DIV}
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Aids to Research
{DIV(class=”row”)}{DIV(class=”col-md-6″)} Alexander Turnbull Library: Collects, preserves and makes accessible words, pictures and sounds relating to the history and cultures of the people of New Zealand and the Pacific. click here
Archives New Zealand: Holds the archives of New Zealand government, including many national treasures. click here
Encyclopedia of New Zealand 1966: click here
The History Guide: In essence, an online textbook in western civilization, with special reference to the western intellectual tradition. The list of Resources for Historians is especially useful. Contains the complete content of three undergraduate courses in European history and ninety lectures in European history from ancient Sumer to the fall of Soviet-style communism in 1989. click here
History News Network: Puts news in historical context by publishing articles written by historians on current events topics.click here Hocken Collections: the Hocken collects widely in relation to the history and culture of New Zealand, the Pacific and Antarctica, with a special emphasis on the Otago and Southland regions of New Zealand.click here{DIV}
{DIV(class=”col-md-6″)}Held by the Hocken.
{ALINK(aname=”Hocken”,pagename=Image Descriptions)}Image details {ALINK}{DIV}{DIV}
{DIV(class=”row”)}{DIV(class=”col-md-6″)}{ALINK(aname=”RailwayMags”,pagename=Image Descriptions)}Image details {ALINK}{DIV} {DIV(class=”col-md-6″)}The Literary Encyclopedia:
online reference work written by university teachers around the world. Designed to integrate current knowledge of literature and culture and facilitate understanding of historical contexts and connections. click here
New Zealand colonial history : the British Parliamentary Papers – Colonies: New Zealand are now available in digital form. These despatches from downunder include reports, statutes, letters and other documents sent between the colony and the British Colonial Office in London spanning 40 years between 1830 and 1870. The new website joins digital versions of the Index of Maori Names, and New Zealand content from the Illustrated London News, and the CDrom version of the Ancient History of the Maori and an online New Zealand Short Story Index. To access the website click here{DIV}
New Zealand Electronic Text Centre: part of Victoria University Library. Provides a Digital Library offering open access to New Zealand & Pacific Island documentary heritage. You can search and browse the collection, which includes sections on NZ History and Literary Criticism and History. click here
NZ Historic Places Trust: New Zealand’s leading national historic heritage agency and guardian of Aotearoa New Zealand’s national heritage. Its work includes identifying our heritage places, seeking to ensure they survive for current and future generations, and fostering appreciation by recording and sharing their stories.
The NZHPT works with private owners, developers, councils, iwi and other community, local and national organisations. click here
NZ History Online: features information and resources from within the History Group of the Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Three broad categories showcase themes in New Zealand history: Culture and society, Politics and government and War and society. A Hands-on History section links to guides, external websites and other material for those who are ‘doing’ and teaching history. New features and the Calendar of New Zealand history events are regularly added. click hereAlexandra Redoubt – Image details {DIV(class=”col-md-6″)}
National Library : enriches historical knowledge by collecting, preserving, and protecting documents, particularly those relating to New Zealand and makes them accessible for all the people of New Zealand. click here
National museum – Te Papa : click here
NZ Museums online: click here {DIV(class=”row”)}{DIV(class=”col-md-6″)}Ourstuff: A wonderful online resource giving many emigrant passenger lists, jury lists, electoral rolls, school rolls etc. click here
Papers Past: Contains more than one million pages of digitised New Zealand newspapers and periodicals. The collection covers the years 1839 to 1932 and includes 52 publications from all regions of New Zealand. click here
Te Ara Encycopedia of New Zealand: Ara comprehensive guide to New Zealand’s peoples, history, natural environment, culture, economy and society click here
Te Puna web directory: Te Puna Web Directory is the National Library’s listing of New Zealand and Pacific Island websites. Can be searched by subject. click here{DIV} {DIV(class=”col-md-6″)}New Zealand Centennial News
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{DIV(class=”row”)}{DIV(class=”col-md-7″)} The Year’s Work in English Studies: qualitative narrative bibliographical review of scholarly work on English language and literatures written in English. It is the largest and most comprehensive work of its kind and the oldest evaluative work of literary criticism. In addition to annotated or enumerated bibliography entries, it provides expert, critical commentary supplied for every book covered. click here
Local libraries and museums can be of great assistance You may find further resources at the Michael King Centre’s website: click here {DIV}{DIV}
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Review Organs and Historical Journals
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New Zealand Books: the only journal dedicated to in depth reviews of New Zealand books. This publication ceased in 2019 but past content remains online.click here
Landfall Review Online: in depth reviews of New Zealand books, including those on history: click here
The Listener carries weekly reviews, sometimes on works of history: click here
NZ newspapers do carry reviews but most are shallow and some just flip. NZ radio programs which review works of history: Lynn Freeman on Arts on Sunday, Nine to Noon with Katherine Ryan.{DIV}
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Historical journals
New Zealand Journal of History: leading historical journal published in New Zealand. Carries articles and reviews from historians around the world. Excellent online archive. Published twice yearly, in April and October, by the University of Auckland: click here
New Zealand Memories: The website includes content summaries of back issues click here
Inside History: promotes Australia and New Zealand’s diverse history. It also provides a platform for historical organisations, societies, bookshops and anyone involved in history to showcase their work, collections and events. click here
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Related Organizations
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{img src=”img/wiki_up/StBrideChurchPukekohe125.jpg” class=”img-responsive img-rounded center-block”}St Bride’s Church{DIV}
{DIV(class=”col-md-2″)}{img src=”img/wiki_up/StBrideInterior125.jpg” class=”img-responsive img-rounded center-block”}{ALINK(aname=”StBride”,pagename=Image Descriptions)}Image details {ALINK}{DIV} {DIV(class=”col-md-6″)}Museum and Heritage Studies: click here
Wellington Historical and Early Settlers Association Inc: Founded 1912. P.O.Box 239, Wellington. Publishes Heritage Link six times a year. Welcomes original work on history of Wellington. Researchers may apply to Victoria University Foundation for information on the James E Worsfold Scholarship fund.{DIV}
The New Zealand Founders Society: established at Wellington in 1939 to remember the immigrants and settlers who helped develop the provinces and nation of New Zealand. It seeks membership from people whose ancestors arrived before 1865. The Society contributed to the introduction and passing of the Historic Places Act 1954 and the Waitangi Day Act 1960. A fund has been established for a Research Award and secretarial assistance is provided to the New Zealand Federation of Historical Societies.. More information at click here
NZ Society of Genealogists : assists members with their family history and genealogical research. Society members meet regularly in the many NZSG branches throughout New Zealand. Activities include exchange of information, specialist speakers, visits to local repositories, research days and transcribing projects. In areas where there is no branch, NZSG often has a Local Area Contact. In all, there are approximately 100 branches and local area contacts throughout the country. More details at click here
New Zealand Society of Authors: helps writers with problems and provides many useful resources for writers.click here Sounds Historial On Sunday evenings, 8-10 pm, Jim Sullivan covers a wide range of material relating to New Zealand’s well-lived past. Broadcasts can be accessed online click here

Historical Interviews and Articles around No Simple Passage
‘Voyage of the Imagination’, review by Julia Millen, NZ Listener, 25 June – 1st July, 2011 click here
‘Ancestral Vessel’, review by Tom Brooking, Landfall Review Online, 1 October 2011: click here
‘More than a tale of a sea crossing’, review by Terry Hearn, Otago Daily Times Online News, 24 December 2011: click here
Blog review on Tell Me a Story, 22nd June 2011: click here
Blog review on World of the Written Word, 3 May, 2011: click here
‘Coming Here’, review by Tony Simpson in New Zealand Books, Vol. 21, No 3, Issue 95, Spring 2011. click here
Interview with maritime historian Joan Druett, 17 June 2011: Virtual Voyage of Village to New Zealand click here
“Quite a Young Man Abroad” by Jenny Robin Jones, the story of the ship’s surgeon, Dr Turnbull. In Inside History, Jan/Feb 2012, No 8, pp 48-51. To read online click here
Unlinked articles and reviews
“Descendants help recreate voyage of the ‘London’ 1842” by Jenny Robin Jones, New Zealand Genealogist, May/June 2011, Vol.42, No 329, pp 122-127.
Review Essay by Nicholas Birns, Antipodes June 2012, p102-104