Uni launches bid to fund residency
The residency is the only one of its kind in New Zealand and supports gifted writers to work fulltime on producing quality children's literature.
The university aims to build an endowment fund to secure its future in perpetuity.
Earlier this year, the university announced for the first time in 32 years, it was unable to offer the residency next year, following a major external funding cut.
It has long been funded via grants from Creative New Zealand, but the college's latest application to the government agency was turned down.
This year's resident, Samantha Montgomerie, said it was a "devastating" blow for children's writers.
She said it provided a much-needed space to create a developed piece of writing, away from the hectic demands and distractions of her job as a teacher.
It also acknowledged the importance of quality children's literature in creating a literary and literate nation.
"It acknowledges that what New Zealand children's authors create matters — that our stories matter, that our tamariki seeing themselves in books matters.
"All of this has a flow-on effect for literacy and the richness of our literary landscape.
"Getting children reading, and fostering our creatives at the heart of what gets them reading, is what we value."
University of Otago College of Education dean Prof Vivienne Anderson said the residency included a stipend in line with a six-month lecturing salary, along with an office at the College of Education and rent-free accommodation provided in the historic Robert Lord Cottage, in Titan St.
The residency had supported 37 writers and illustrators to date, starting with Ruth Corrin in 1992.
Other award-winning residents include Jack Lasenby (1995), Pauline Cartwright and David Hill (2003), Kyle Mewburn (2011), Leonie Agnew (2013), Robyn Belton (2015) and Heather McQuillan (2021).
Prof Anderson said she was grateful for the funding previously received from Creative New Zealand, but it had been "disheartening" to lose the vital support for children's literature in New Zealand.
The residency "has resulted in quality literature for children and promoted children's literature locally and nationally".
"If you look at any children's section in a library or bookshop, or at the books children are reading in school, you will see previous residents' names feature prominently.
"Our writers need to be supported to be able to produce quality children's literature.
"We are committed to seeking alternative funding to be able to resume this important Children's Writer in Residence, and would be very grateful if you could help us get this unique and treasured residency back in place for 2027 and beyond."
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