People

Appointments, promotions and departures across publishing, bookselling and agenting. Every move is confirmed with the person or the company first.

Tell us about a move

People · 1 Nov James Norcliffe named NZSA President of Honour for 2027 The New Zealand Society of Authors has named poet, novelist and short story writer James Norcliffe as its 2027 President of Honour. He will deliver the Janet Frame Memorial Lecture in 2027.

People · 28 Oct Alice Miller appointed 2027 IIML Writer in Residence The International Institute of Modern Letters and Creative New Zealand have appointed poet and novelist Alice Miller as Writer in Residence for 2027. The residency begins in February 2027.

People · 13 Oct Fremantle Press hires audio production assistant ahead of audiobook pilot Fremantle Press has appointed Tim Scott as audio production assistant to work on an audiobook pilot and new podcasts. The role is funded by a Minderoo Foundation capacity-building grant, and more detail on the audiobook imprint is due in 2027.

People · 6 Oct Emma Hislop named 2027 Robert Burns Fellow Taranaki-based writer Emma Hislop, whose debut collection Ruin won the 2024 Hubert Church award, will hold the Robert Burns Fellowship in Ōtepoti Dunedin in 2027.

People · 29 Sep Yong Shu Hoong's final Singapore Writers Festival as director runs 13 to 22 November The 29th Singapore Writers Festival will be Yong Shu Hoong's last as festival director. The programme has more than 200 events.

People · 21 Sep Chris Tse joins Auckland Writers Festival board as observer Former New Zealand Poet Laureate Chris Tse has joined the Auckland Writers Festival Waituhi o Tāmaki board of trustees as an observer, bringing a working writer's view to board discussions.

People · 21 Sep Judging panels named for the 2027 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards Convenors are Millie Blackwell (fiction), Josiah Morgan (poetry), Neill Atkinson (general non-fiction) and Claire Regnault (illustrated non-fiction). An international judge will join the fiction panel at the shortlist stage.

People · 18 Sep Jenny Hellen to retire from Allen & Unwin Aotearoa; Rachel Nobilo takes children's list Publisher at large Jenny Hellen will retire in December 2026 after more than 35 years in publishing. Rachel Nobilo has been promoted to commissioning editor and leads the children's list from mid-October.

People · 11 Sep Tina Makereti named 2026 Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellow The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi has named Tina Makereti as the 2026 Menton Fellow. The fellowship carries a $43,000 grant for a three-month stay in Menton, France.

People · 28 Aug Sam Elworthy joins Auckland Writers Festival board as Nicola Legat steps down Auckland University Press director Sam Elworthy has joined the festival's board of trustees. Nicola Legat steps down after eighteen and a half years on the board.