
A night with two Randell Cottage writers
Huge thanks to everyone who joined us in person and online on Tuesday at the National Library to hear from 2023 Randell Cottage residents Rachel O’Neill and Caroline Laurent, in conversation with trustee Francis Cooke.

Poet and artist Rachel O’Neill takes up residency at Randell Cottage
Artist, film maker, teacher of creative writing, communications professional, and, above all poet, Rachel O’Neill is the 2023 Creative New Zealand Randell Cottage.

Readings and discussion about ‘Room to write’ with Whiti Hereaka, Sedef Ecer, and Fiona Kidman
We had a very good turnout to a special lunchtime gathering at Unity Books last week to promote Room to Write.

Room to write with Whiti Hereaka, Sedef Ecer, and Fiona Kidman
Join us for a celebration of Randell Cottage and the anthology of twenty years of Kiwi and French writers, ‘Room to Write’.
Featuring 2022 Ockham Award-winner Whiti Hereaka, Randell Cottage French writer-in-residence Sedef Ecer, and Randell Cottage Trustee Emerita Fiona Kidman.

An Oriental Bay epiphany
Suddenly, inexplicably, my head bursts. I open my eyes. There’s the novel, right there in front of me…
Read Caroline’s full report on her stay here.

Watch live: Evening event with Sedef Ecer and Caroline Laurent
We hope to see you at the Friends’ event featuring French writer Sedef Ecer on Tuesday 7 March, but if you can’t be there in person, you can watch online. Find out how.



Reminder: Join us for a special evening event with our French writer in residence
Don’t forget to add this event on 7 March at the National Library to your calendar and send an rsvp to tell us you’ll be coming along.


Past resident James Norcliffe launches poetry collection
Book Launch at Scorpio Books in Christchurch – ‘Letter to ‘Oumuamua’ by James Norcliffe
Thursday 23 February, 5:30 pm–7:30 pm



French writers at Randell Cottage
Who are the latest French writers in residence at Randell Cottage? How are they drawing on their experiences here, in combination with their multicultural heritages, to inform their creative work?


Celebrated writers to be honoured at special online event
Join us on Friday 10 February, 6.30pm-7.45pm for a special online panel discussion with the winners of the 2022 Prime Minister’s Awards for Literary Achievement.


Writer-in-residence Sedef Ecer arrives at Randell Cottage
Our newest writer-in-residence, Franco-Turkish novelist, actor and playwright Sedef Ecer, is now installed at Randell Cottage after a warm welcome by representatives of the French Embassy and the Randell Cottage Writers Trust.


Newsletter from the Friends
Read the Christmas newsletter from the Friends of Randell Cottage.


Literary anthology ‘Room to write’ has been launched
To celebrate 20 years of the Randell Cottage writers residency, the Randell Cottage Writers Trust has commissioned Room To Write, asking the writers for contributions that spring from the idea of ‘looking back’.


Writers honoured by prime minister for their contribution to New Zealand literature
Stephanie Johnson (2016) received the prize for fiction and James Norcliffe (2018) received the prize for poetry.


Caroline Laurent arrives at Randell Cottage
We are thrilled to welcome French writer Caroline Laurent for a short residency at Randell Cottage, after her original visit was delayed by Covid restrictions.



New French writer-in-residence announced
Franco-Turkish novelist, playwright and screenwriter, Sedef Ecer, has been selected as the 2023 French artist-in-residence at Randell Cottage and will join the residency programme early in the New Year.