About Us

The Writing Programme at Whitireia Community Polytechnic, Porirua, was established in 1993. In that year it offered one full-year full-time course, by 2005 it offered three full-time diplomas and now the Writing Programme offers the first Bachelor in Applied Arts (Creative Writing).

Alongside the degree the programme also offers the diploma in creative writing, the diploma in creative writing (advanced) and the graduate diploma in creative writing. On both the advanced and the graduate diploma writers are supported to complete a major project, whether it be a novel, a collection of poetry, a script or other form of writing. On the first year diploma students work in a variety of genres and they can choose to study on campus or online from home.
The Writing Programme emphasises originality and excellence in the craft of writing, and the practical business knowledge of being a writer.

We are very proud of our graduates, who appear in almost every aspect of New Zealand writing life: as organisers of performance poetry, as screen and stage scriptwriters, in the Writers in Schools programme, as organisers of writers’ groups, in jobs as editors, journalists and writers, as well as featuring in traditional and new literary and general magazines, in awards, and in book publication.
The work of over 25 students from this programme has been published.

These successful authors include:

  • Tusiata Avia
  • Donnna Banicevich-Gera
  • Vince Ford
  • Mandy Hager
  • Wendy Jones
  • Louise Lawrence
  • Joan MacLean
  • Karen McMillan
  • Anne Powell
  • Maajte Quivooy
  • Maggie Rainey Smith
  • Alison Robertson
  • Jo Thorpe
  • Karen Wilton
  • Donna Wright


We are indebted to the tutors on the course – Hinemoana Baker, Lynn Davidson, Adrienne Jansen, Renee Taylor, Julia Wall and to all the New Zealand writers and editors who contribute to the success of our student writers.

  • Fergus Barrowman
  • Fleur Beale
  • Norman Bilbrough
  • Costa Botes
  • James Brown
  • Rachel Davies
  • Daphne De Jong
  • Chris Else
  • Barbara Else
  • Catherine Fitzgerald
  • Mandy Hager
  • Anna Jackson
  • Michael Keith
  • Fiona Kidman
  • Jonathan King
  • Phillip Mann
  • Sue McCauley
  • Julia Millen
  • Stephanie de Montalk
  • Paula Morris
  • Julian Novitz
  • Chris Orsman
  • Vivienne Plumb
  • Anna Rogers
  • Elizabeth Smither
  • Paul Thomas
  • Bridget Williams


We hope you enjoy this selection of work written by our students and welcome your inquiries. Contact us