NZSA Mentor Programme 2026 - Open For Applications

The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc) Mentor programme 2026 seeks applications from beginning or emerging writers, with commitment and potential, who are looking for professional development, a safe space to discuss their work, intellectual community, role models, accountability and substantive feedback.

An NZSA mentorship focuses on helping new and emerging writers, who will work closely with an experienced writer / industry expert as their mentor, to develop and work on skills and techniques that will sustain them throughout their future career. Working on a specific project, successful applicants have the opportunity to discuss ideas and problems, practical and editorial, and benefit from the experience and knowledge of an experienced writer / industry expert.

The NZSA seek to reflect and expand the depth and breadth of our sector and welcome applications from underrepresented / diverse writers working across a range of genres and writing disciplines, with two mentorships tagged to these emerging writers.

Applications for the 2026 programme are open to NZSA members (find out about membership here) and accepted from 1 December 2025 to 1 February 2026. Learn more about this programme.

The writers and creators who gained mentorships in 2025 polished and refined their skills under the mentorship of these talented professionals: Harriet Allan, Airini Beautrais, Michelle Elvy, Siobhan Harvey, Emma Hislop, Stephanie Johnson, Steph Matuku, James Norcliffe, Mikaela Nyman, Cristina Schumacher, Tina Shaw, Vanda Symon, and Geoff Walker.

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