10 June, 2025

Writers centre landed with $26k annual rent bill

Paying market rents…the Michael King Writers Centre

The rental paid by the Michael King Writers Centre for its use of the historic Signalman’s House on the slopes of Takarunga is soaring from $1 to $26,000 a year.
The Tūpuna Maunga Authority last week approved the new charge for an initial term of one year starting 1 July 2025.
While the lease has yet to be signed, it is understood the authority will become responsible for the outside maintenance of the centre.
The rental assessment by a registered valuer in 2024 was based on a building on a reserve, not full market rental.
Online from Australia, authority deputy chair Toni van Tonder said the authority was setting up a grant for Māori writers at the centre. The amount had yet to be decided.
Michael King Writers Centre Trust deputy chair Nicki Fraser said the trust was “resigned but disappointed” at having to pay the new rent.
However, as part of negotiations the trust was pleased to have certainty that the authority would pay for work such as roof replacement and exterior painting, Fraser said.
As part of the leasing process, the centre is developing an “outcomes plan” to demonstrate its “contribution to the well-being of the Maunga”.
The charging of market rents for buildings is part of an overall Auckland Council policy to get rid of peppercorn rentals for properties on council land.
Fraser said the writers cottage was part of New Zealand’s post-colonial history.
The trust was keen to work with the authority to honour the maunga’s history and spirituality, including with signage in te reo alongside English and the potential of having artists as well as writers use the centre.
The centre, established in 2005, receives around 130 applications a year for 17 residencies.
Each year, a minimum of two residencies are awarded to a Māori writer. In 2025, five Māori writers will have residencies.
The centre has hosted more than 200 New Zealand writers and accommodated 100 writers who paid to stay.