Bringing passion and skill to writing

Writing is about passion, craft, hard work - and time. Whether you want to be a versatile freelance writer, or work on that one big idea in your head, the Creative Writing Programme at Whitireia NZ gives you the time, the craft, and the knowledge of the writing world, to seriously to find out where writing can take you.

It is an exciting and innovative programme that encourages and celebrates good writing across all genres. It fosters versatility, while giving experienced writers the opportunity to specialize in their chosen field. It actively promotes diversity. It emphasizes originality, excellence in the craft of writing, and the practical business knowledge of being a writer. It provides a strong supportive writing community.

Above all, it is a practical 'hands-on' writing programme. Through exercises, workshops, discussion, speakers, but most of all through writing itself, writers develop their strengths, their critical eye, their knowledge of how the writing business works, and where they fit in the rich world of writing.

The programme recognises the richness of the two major literary and linguistic traditions in New Zealand, English and Māori. Students may write and submit work in English or in te reo Māori.

The programme, established in 1993, was the first full-year full-time creative writing programme in New Zealand. Now it offers a wide range of options, including both comprehensive and specialized courses, diploma and degree options, and part-time, full-time or online study. These include

Diploma in Creative Writing (on-campus)

Diploma in Creative Writing (online)

Diploma in Creative Writing (Advanced)

Graduate Diploma in Creative Writing

Bachelor of Applied Arts (Creative Writing)