The NZSA Youth Mentor Programme seeks Emerging Young Writers – YOUTH WRITING MENTORSHIPS OPEN FOR 2026
Four secondary school students will have the opportunity to be mentored by one of New Zealand’s best professional authors in order to develop their craft and hone their writing skills.
The NZSA Youth Mentorship Programme offers aspiring young writers aged 15 -18 a mentorship, from May to November. The intent of the mentor programme is to foster and develop emerging writing talent with the support of established authors. There are 4 places awarded each year in the youth programme, and it is a game-changing opportunity for young writers.
NZSA has been running successful assessment and mentoring programmes since 1999 that aim are to nurture, encourage, inspire and develop emerging writers with the support of established writers through mentoring and assessment.
Deadline for applications: 6 April 2026
Find out about how to apply: www.authors.org.nz
Comments from previous youth mentees
Eleazar Kenese from Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland was paired with award-winning novelist, poet, journalist and editor, Mikaela Nyman and told us: “I feel that I made a lot of progress under this mentorship as I was introduced to new ways of writing poetry, I progressed as a writer as Mikaela helped me to explore different styles, themes and ideas and under this guidance I was able to write a poem that got published in an anthology. This mentorship was extremely helpful to my progress as a writer as it also gave me a deeper understanding of the standards of poetry in terms of punctuation and purpose (using punctuation as a tool to convey an emotion or thought rather than just for readability)”.
Leo Reid from Hamilton had award-winning author Kyle Mewburn as their mentor in 2024 and had this to say: “Through the NZSA Youth Mentorship Program, I have developed my skills as an author outside of simply writing. My mentor Kyle was endlessly kind and patient with me and I feel I have grown into myself using her help. Kyle offered me the experience of working with a seasoned author as well as providing me with extremely beneficial feedback. I know I can apply these newfound skills to projects outside of the one I had been working on with Kyle. I will look back on this shared time with her as one of immense value to myself, on both a personal level and as a writer.”
“I feel that I improved my skills as a writer and made a great deal of progress in terms of my project — I now have a clear structure, a plan moving forward and many smaller pieces to work with and develop further. Michelle has helped me build confidence in my work and consider things I previously didn’t, such as pacing and specific characterisation, as well as highlighting my strengths,” said Stella Weston who was partnered with writer and editor, Michelle Elvy.
The Youth Mentor Programme is run by the NZSA, the principal organisation representing writers in Aotearoa. We offer memberships for writers at all stages of their careers including students. Our assessment and mentorship programmes, such as our annual Youth mentorships, are offered with the support of Creative New Zealand.
NZSA is the principal organisation representing over 1800 writers in Aotearoa New Zealand. Founded in 1934, we administer prizes and awards, provide professional development, offer mentorship and assessment programmes, trade discounts, share industry news and opportunities, and provide spaces for writers to meet via 8 regional branches, a Next Page youth network, and Nga Kaituhi Māori. We offer online and in-person regional and national events. NZSA collaborates across the book sector to make NZ writing and NZ writers more visible. We advocate for writers’ and champion fair reward.
www.authors.org.nz
