Photo credit: Robert Cross

The 2015-16 Creative New Zealand Berlin Writer’s Residency has been awarded to Wellington-based writer, Hinemoana Baker (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Toa and Te Āti Awa).

The residency allows an established writer to work on an approved project for up to eleven months in Berlin, Germany and covers travel to and accommodation in Berlin, a monthly stipend and incidentals.

Creative New Zealand’s Chief Executive, Stephen Wainwright says, “Along with dedicated space and time to devote to an approved project, this residency has enabled some of our finest writers to experience the culture of this inspirational city and develop their work in a new environment. A further benefit is that it helps build awareness of New Zealand literature in Berlin.”

Ms Baker will work on a new collection of poetry during her time in Berlin and attend poetry events in Poland and Belarus.

She says, “My mother’s ancestors arrived in New Zealand on the St Pauli from Oberammergau, Bavaria via Hamburg. Living in Germany would allow me to further investigate these whakapapa connections and write into them. I’ll take German classes too. I learned Māori as an adult, and I’m looking forward to the experience of learning this new, ancestral language. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to focus solely on the writing of poetry for such a solid block of time.”

For the rest of the CNZ announcement see here.