The Michael King Writers' Centre Trust

Bob Ross (Chairman)
Bob Ross has been in the New Zealand book trade for over 40 years. He founded Benton Ross Publishing in 1980 and Tandem Press in 1991. He has held many roles within the publishing industry including Chair of BPANZ and New Zealand Book Trade Organisation. He has also as served on the board of Booksellers New Zealand and on Copyright Licensing Ltd. He set up NZ Publishers Export Group and now acts as a mentor for exporting publishers.

Wensley Willcox (Deputy Chair)
A journalist and poet, she has worked in the not-for-profit sector in positions as regional Citizens’ Advice Bureau co-ordinator, YWCA Board, and journalist/librarian for the Mental Health Foundation.  She has held office at branch and national levels for the Society of Authors (Pen NZ Inc). She has been a long-time advocate for the establishment of a national writers’ centre.

Gordon McLauchlan is a writer, journalist and broadcaster with a New Zealand-wide reputation. He is a former national vice-president of the New Zealand Journalists’ Association, was for two years national president of the New Zealand Society of Authors (PEN NZ Inc) and the society’s 2003-04 president of honour. He was elected to the world executive of PEN International at Edinburgh in 1996. He has written twelve books and has acted as a public affairs consultant to a number of New Zealand corporations.

Peter Bartlett, BArch (NZ), PhD (Arch Psychol), FNZIA, Architect, Emeritus Professor of Architecture; consultancy re Performing Arts, Cultural and Urban Centres; designed redevelopments, Paris, 1954-57; member  New Zealand Cultural Facilities Advisory Committee, 1976-88; cofounder UA’s Urban Research Unit, 1978. Awards include: Winstone House, 1958; Newcomb House, 1969; AGS Centennial Theatre Centre, 1974-75; Barlett House, 1998.

Geoff Chapple
First writer-in-residence; author, journalist, playwright, Chief Executive of Te Araroa Trust.
Te Araroa Trust
Social Entrepreneur
Long walker

Christine Cole Catley, D.C.N.Z.M, QSM, is one of the best known teachers of journalism and writing in New Zealand. She writes, edits, and publishes books from her Devonport home. She was a close colleague of Michael King and established the Frank Sargeson Trust, of which he was deputy chair. Christine is a past president of honour of the New Zealand Society of Authors (PEN NZ Inc). She also co-founded Parents Centre New Zealand.
Find out more - bio
Bright Star - Beatrice Hill Tinsley
Bloody Marvellous-George Haydn 1919-2005
Fairburn and Friends

James Mason, QSO 2000, was born and raised in Devonport. He was educated at Devonport District School, Takapuna Grammar and Auckland University where he gained B.A. and  LL.B. degrees. James gained his legal experience in his father’s law firm which he later managed.  He founded the New Zealand Canoeing Association and numerous Charitable Trusts including the New Zealand Trustees Association, of which he is Chairman and the New Zealand Maritime Trust which is preserving the steam ferry “Toroa”.

Geoff Walker is the Publishing Director of Penguin Books, and one of New Zealand's most experienced publishers. He was a close friend and colleague of Michael King and published many books by him, including the current award-winning best-seller, The Penguin History of New Zealand.

Helen Woodhouse (secretary)has been the Takapuna Library Manager since 1990. A founding committee member of the Auckland Writers’ Festival, she is also a founding trustee of the Lake House Trust Inc, a Frank Sargeson Trustee (since 1992), and has for ten years been the Auckland representative on the Wellington-based New Zealand Book Council.

Merata Kawharu
A graduate in social anthropology and Maori studies from Auckland University and Oxford University in England, she is currently a Director of Research at the James Henare Maori Research Centre at the University of Auckland. She won a Rhodes scholarship in 1994. In 1999, she was Visiting Research Fellow at the Centre for Cross-Cultural Research and Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, Australian National University. She won a Marsden Fund award in 2002 for research concerning indigenous knowledge and museum practice. She is a member of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust and its Maori Heritage Council. A highly-regarded author herself, Merata was a finalist in the 2003 Montana Book Awards for Whenua: Managing Our Resources. She has written extensively on Maori development and the Resource Management Act. Her iwi are Ngati Whatua and Ngapuhi.

Witi Ihimaera was appointed a Distinguished Companion of the NZ Order of Merit. (D.C.N.Z.O.M.) in recognition of his work as an award-winning novelist, short story writer and mentor of young writers. Witi was a long-standing friend and colleague of Michael King. A diplomat for many years, he now teaches English, Maori and Pacific literature at the University of Auckland. He has withdrawn from the trust while he is on sabbatical leave, but has indicated his intention to rejoin in 2008.

Andrew Williams is Mayor of the North Shore City Council. He was elected in October 2007 after serving previously as a councillor and community board member. A Campbells Bay resident and businessman, he is originally from Waipukurau, in Central Hawke's Bay. His business centered on international trade in the meat industry, farmed venison exports, airfreight, shipping and trade. For nine years he has been the Trade Commissioner for Belgium and Luxembourg, and served as the Hon. Vice Consul of Belgium. He joined the trust as an advisory trustee in 2008.

Mike Cohen QSM, BCA CA (ex-officio) –
was elected to the Devonport Community Board in 1998 and has been the Chairman since 2003. He has also been a member of the Waitemata District Health Board since 2001. He is a Chartered Accountant. He lived 16 years on a Kibbutz that provided a flourishing centre for arts and culture. Mike returned to New Zealand with his family in 1996.