History & Literature

Encouraging creativity in history and literature in the writing of new material in prose, poetry or dramatic form – in non-fiction, creative non-fiction and fiction.


Concept

The aim of the Trust is to nurture innovative ideas and talent by helping groups and individuals through the steps necessary to bring ideas and skills through the development stages to worthwhile outcomes.

Emphasis in the provision of grants in the areas of history and literature creativity will always be on encouragement of the new and contribution to the community and literary and historical merit.

Projects should originate from within the Manawatū and Rangitīkei region and show benefit to the region.

Grants can be applied for by anyone resident in, or closely connected to, that region.


Scope

The History & Literature projects that the Trust aims to encourage may include:

  • Books (fiction and non-fiction), plays, poetry collections; these can be in print or electronic format.

  • Developmental workshops or writing courses aimed at stimulating new ideas in literature and history. These would be organised outside mainstream educational channels, with the aim of helping local people develop relevant skills to bring ideas to fruition.

Grants may be considered for:

  • Equipment such as computers or voice recorders.

  • Research costs such as photocopying, travel, photographic reproduction and permissions.

  • Some oral history as part of the project.

  • Pre-publication costs, such as final preparation of material, editing and design.

  • Assistance with publication.

  • Assistance towards staging a performance or play.

  • Workshop and venue costs.

The grants are not intended to cover general living expenses, though a case may be made for short-term assistance (e.g. up to three months) to work on the completion of a project.

Applications will be considered from individuals and groups.

A detailed budget must be submitted with your application form and applicants are expected to outline a case for the use of the grant.


2023

  • Zak Rodgers – The Cure for Gravity

  • Paula Allen – Hope Defiant

  • Bruce Omundsen, Manawatū Scottish Pipe – Centenary History Publication of Manawatū Scottish Pipe Band

  • Don Tietjens, History of the Manawatū Woodworkers Guild – The History of the Manawatū Woodworkers Guild

  • Centrepoint – A new play ‘Feilding Farmers Market’

  • Darryn Joseph – Kōkiri

  • Tania Kopytko – Untold Stories (WWII Refugees who settled in Palmerston North)

2021

  • Marilyn Wightman – Hearths of Feilding Families

  • Eljon Fitzgerald – Te Matatini ki Rangitāne 2005–2007

  • Richard Mays – Palmy Poetry: the 150th Anniversary Anthology of Te Papaiōea/Palmerston North

  • Tim Upperton – Riderless Horses

  • Rachel Doré – A Respectable Woman

  • Carly Thomas – Before We Forget: Stories across the Manawatū and Rangitīkei

  • Miriam Sharland – Heart Stood Still

  • Dorian Wilson – Terrace End Cemetery Project

2019

  • Zak Rodgers – for producing a book of the authors poems with a QR code which provides a link to a film of the poems being performed: Kick out to the beat.

  • Janet Mace – production costs for a children’s book, Lucy the girl who listens, about a child who learns about the importance of maintaining the health of rivers.

  • Eljon Fitzgerald – to complete a play, Four friends and a funeral.

  • Bulls Volunteer Fire Brigade – to publish the historical journey of the Bulls Volunteer Fire Brigade.

  • Kathy Clark, Taihape Community Trust – a recording of local histories and the training of young historians for project: Tell me more Taihape.

  • Murray Brown – to publish a comprehensive history of cricket in the Manawatū, including women’s cricket.

  • Paula Harris – to cover the production costs for poetic short films.

2017

  • Nicky Birch – CoachHouse Archive Display.

  • Susan Artner – to publish ‘The Making of the Generous Heart – an art and art education journey from Timaru to Marton’.

  • Te ApitiManawatū Gorge Governance Group (Chrissie Morrison) – to publish ‘Manawatū Gorge Te Au-rere-a-te-tonga’.

  • Catherine Knight – to publish ‘The life and works of Charles E. Wildbore of the Pohangina Valley’.

  • Rachel Dore – to assist with establishing the Manawatū Writers’ Festival with the aim of promoting a community of writers.

  • Val Mills – to publish a history of Palmerston North postcards.

2015

  • Garry O ‘Neill – to publish A Social History of the West End, Palmerston North.

  • Helen Lehndorf – for her project The Attention Almanac: Journal Writing for Creativity and Well-being.

  • Maurice Watt – to write up the adventures of Oroua Teamsters 1997–2004.

  • Valerie Mills – to write a story of the Municipal Baths, Ashley Street, Palmerston North, Down at the Baths.

2013

Previous winners