North Shore City media release

New chapter for writing centre

May 3, 2007

The next chapter of North Shore City’s Michael King Writers Centre is being written. The centre, which has housed three writers since opening in 2005, now includes accommodation for a writing fellow, a manager, and shared areas for public events and for mentoring new writers.

Space is also available to accommodate visiting writers, to display literary memorabilia and for a library. North Shore City Council’s sector development officer for the arts, Sarah Dugdale, says it is great to see the former signalman’s house used as a centre for writers and residential fellows, in a city with such a rich literary history.

“The centre, a New Zealand first, resides not only in an area which has produced a large number of literary stars, but in the hub of the publishing industry,” she says. Support from the council, including the 10-year renewable lease over the restored heritage property, has certainly helped the centre – located on Mt Victoria in Devonport - become a reality. “We strongly support the role of arts in our community. This project has provided us with an opportunity to strengthen literary arts in both North Shore City and in New Zealand,” Dr Dugdale says.

The official opening of the renovated centre on May 12 will be attended by both Prime Minister Helen Clark and North Shore City Mayor George Wood.

ENDS

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