Job Description
Ursula Bethell Residency in Creative Writing 2026
Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand
Full-time 37.5 hours per week (1.0 FTE)
6 month fixed-term opportunity
Competitive salary of $82,000 (for 12 months, pro-rated for 6 months)
Kia hiwa rā, kia hiwa rā! He hiahia, he pūkenga nōu ki te mahi a te Ursula Bethell Writer in Residence? Nāia te pōwhiri nā Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha kia tono mai i te tūranga nei.
Āu Mahi | What You Will Do
This fixed term Residency has been created to foster New Zealand writing by providing a full-time opportunity for a writer to work on an approved writing project in an academic environment. The position is jointly funded by the University of Canterbury and Creative New Zealand. While there are no formal duties attached to the position, it is expected that that you hold a regular on-site office hour for students, and take part in the cultural life of the University.
This Residency runs from 27 January - 25 July 2026. A second residency, covering the latter half of 2026, will be advertised in early 2026, subject to funding outcomes.
Mōu | Who You Are
You will be a published writer in one or more of the genres of fiction, poetry, scriptwriting, and creative non-fiction. You will also have work published or produced by a reputable publisher or producer. Applicants should be authors of proven merit normally resident in New Zealand, or New Zealanders temporarily resident overseas. Appointment will be made on the merit of the proposed writing project or projects, so applicants should provide a detailed proposal.
Please note, this residency does not cover writing for film or television.
Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With
You will work with staff in the English Department including specialists in Literary Studies, Cultural Studies, and Creative Writing. For more information, please visit us here To learn more about the Ursula Bethell Writer Residency visit us here.
Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC
Ngā Uara | Our Values of manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and tiakitanga guide our decisions and behaviour and provide a roadmap for how we do things at UC, affirming our commitment to pastoral care and support for our ākonga and staff. They challenge and inspire us to be the best we can, and make UC a great place to work and study. For more info on Ngā Uara | Our Values visit us here.
We are committed to accessible higher education, service to the community and the encouragement of talent without barriers of distance, wealth, class, gender or ethnicity. The University explicitly aims to produce graduates and support staff who are engaged with their communities, empowered to act for good and determined to make a difference in the world.
For more information about Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, please visit https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/
Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand
Full-time 37.5 hours per week (1.0 FTE)
6 month fixed-term opportunity
Competitive salary of $82,000 (for 12 months, pro-rated for 6 months)
Kia hiwa rā, kia hiwa rā! He hiahia, he pūkenga nōu ki te mahi a te Ursula Bethell Writer in Residence? Nāia te pōwhiri nā Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha kia tono mai i te tūranga nei.
Āu Mahi | What You Will Do
This fixed term Residency has been created to foster New Zealand writing by providing a full-time opportunity for a writer to work on an approved writing project in an academic environment. The position is jointly funded by the University of Canterbury and Creative New Zealand. While there are no formal duties attached to the position, it is expected that that you hold a regular on-site office hour for students, and take part in the cultural life of the University.
This Residency runs from 27 January - 25 July 2026. A second residency, covering the latter half of 2026, will be advertised in early 2026, subject to funding outcomes.
Mōu | Who You Are
You will be a published writer in one or more of the genres of fiction, poetry, scriptwriting, and creative non-fiction. You will also have work published or produced by a reputable publisher or producer. Applicants should be authors of proven merit normally resident in New Zealand, or New Zealanders temporarily resident overseas. Appointment will be made on the merit of the proposed writing project or projects, so applicants should provide a detailed proposal.
Please note, this residency does not cover writing for film or television.
Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With
You will work with staff in the English Department including specialists in Literary Studies, Cultural Studies, and Creative Writing. For more information, please visit us here To learn more about the Ursula Bethell Writer Residency visit us here.
Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC
Ngā Uara | Our Values of manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and tiakitanga guide our decisions and behaviour and provide a roadmap for how we do things at UC, affirming our commitment to pastoral care and support for our ākonga and staff. They challenge and inspire us to be the best we can, and make UC a great place to work and study. For more info on Ngā Uara | Our Values visit us here.
We are committed to accessible higher education, service to the community and the encouragement of talent without barriers of distance, wealth, class, gender or ethnicity. The University explicitly aims to produce graduates and support staff who are engaged with their communities, empowered to act for good and determined to make a difference in the world.
For more information about Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, please visit https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Writer in Residence position is now open for candidates interested in the Content Writer Jobs sector. This role in Christchurch offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Content Writer Jobs is a plus.