July 2026 Bulletin
Ahiahi mārie beautiful members, it’s July! Mānawatia a Matariki! Hope you’re all keeping warm and looking forward to the day off on Friday. Happy first week of the school holidays to all who are affected, my condolences and/or congratulations.
A heads up that we have had a bit of an update on our website, some of you have noticed that our login button disappeared! We have returned it to it’s usual place. You now only need one set of login details for the website (yay!), but you have to email us to access some of our members-only content (boo?).
So, when you find you can only login to the back-end of the website (where your invoices are) - don’t panic, it’s not just you! If there are any documents or details that you want and can’t download from the website directly, send us an email at guildhq@nzwg.org.nz, or mirabelle@nzwg.org.nz and I’ll sort it out for you.
Mirabelle Field
NZWG Membership Manager
Message from your Co-President
Talofa lava, David Mamea here,
This message should have preceded the NZWG Executive Director job listings at Seek and The Big Idea. This message is what happens when time-critical tasks are delegated to a Co-Prez who writes wearing exclusively Hanes and Rio. (To be absolutely clear, I'm referring to myself).
Yes: Alice Shearman is leaving the guild later this year. After 11 jam-packed, rock-em-sock-em, build-it-and-they-will-come years as ED, it's time for fresh challenges for Ms Shearman. The NZWG Board, having worked through all the stages of grief, has begun the search for a new ED.
She's not leaving for a few months yet. Alice will guide us through the upcoming NZWG 50th Anniversary celebrations, the IAWG AGM (we will also be holding two events with international delegates on Wednesday 7 October, tickets to come via NZWG website), and if a certain engager pulls finger the stars align, SIWA collective bargaining.
So. Book your tickets, buy the merch, write your nearest producer.
If you know someone who could be the next NZWG Executive Director, point them this way.
Manuia le aso,
David
NZWG SIWA Negotiation Team - Join Now!
We need you!
NZWG are seeking expressions of interest in joining the SIWA negotiating team.
As NZWG prepares to represent screenwriters in the upcoming collective bargaining negotiations, we need interested writers to join the SIWA Negotiation Team. The team will include people who have long-term industry experience, and newer members who will provide fresh perspectives. Experience with typical deal terms and contracting is helpful but not required. Negotiation team members will survey the needs of our membership and other affected writers, advise our lead negotiator, and maintain strong communication between the negotiating team and the screenwriting community.
Like our Board members, this is an unpaid role. If you would like to aid in the professionalisation of Aotearoa New Zealand’s screen sector by being on the negotiation team, please send a paragraph or two about your interests and relevant experience to our Membership Manager Mirabelle Field at mirabelle@nzwg.org.nz
Cheers from the NZWG SIWA Subcommittee
July ONLINE Event
The Kids Are Alright!
New Zealand's track record in children's and YA screen storytelling is world-class, we're asking why. Join Becky Kuek, Briar Grace-Smith and Ryan Cooper to unpack the craft of writing for young audiences, and how it differs from adult drama and comedy.
Monday 20th July 2026, 7pm
ONLINE
Tickets:
NZWG / Ngā Aho Whakaari / PASC / PISA Members: $5
General admission: $10
Rescheduled! Where We Come From: The Writers' Journey - Christchurch
What does it mean to make screen stories in Ōtautahi?
Join us on 17 September for a special Christchurch edition of the New Zealand Writers Guild's 50th anniversary panel series, a live, in-person conversation with screenwriters, a critic, and an academic whose work, lives, and careers are woven into the fabric of this city.
Thursday 17 September 2026, 7pm, Kōawa Studios, Canterbury University, Christchurch
Come to our Gala Dinner!
Industry Events and Opportunities
Workshop: Develop your TV series and write the Pilot that launches it
A 12 week course run by Gavin McGibbon on Monday evenings from 6:30-9pm kicks off on July 6 and runs until September 28, 2026. Cost $750. Email gavmcgibbon@gmail.com to enquire about spots or for more information.
South Shorts Applications Closing Soon
Applications for Script to Screen‘s South Shorts close on July 13. This programme is designed to support new and emerging screenwriters from the South Auckland community to enhance their screenwriting capabilities.
Breakthrough Script: New Screenwriting Course from Keren Green
Breakthrough Script™ is a 30-day F/T course that takes you from idea to finished, revised screenplay. You can also work at your own pace with lifetime access to all course materials.
There is a discount code for all New Zealand writers, type KIWI at checkout to get 41% off the $149 USD Early Access rate.
NZIFF Multipass Pre-Sale on Now
Why buy a multipass?
🎟️ They’re the best-value deal in town - buying tickets in a bundle saves you serious cash.
🎟️ They give you options - use your pass for multiple tickets to one film, singular tickets to 10 films, or something in-between. The choice is yours.
General tickets go on sale on July 9!
Just Launched: Te Pae Matarau - The Everyone Project Aotearoa
NZFC, NZ On Air, and Te Māngai Pāho have just launched Te Pae Matarau - The Everyone Project Aotearoa, a survey tool to collect demographic data in the screen sector.
Writers on Mondays
Just kicked off in Wellington! A series of events highlighting the very latest work from Aotearoa New Zealand writers. Events run from 12.15pm to 1.15pm on Mondays, from now until September 28. Open to the public and free!
New Zealand Screen Awards 2026
Entries for the 2026 New Zealand Screen Awards are now open - so now’s the perfect time to start dusting off those credits, rallying the team chats, and getting your submissions ready.
Request for EOI’s - Documentary NZ
TVNZ is after EOIs for season 4 of Documentary NZ and is looking for fresh ideas that reflect the diverse experiences of modern life in Aotearoa
Deadline: July 16, 6pm
More Info and how to apply here
AWGACS becomes ACSAA
Heads up that the Australian Writers' Guild Authorship Collecting Society (AWGACS) has updated its name and logo to become the Authorship Collecting Society Australia Aotearoa (ACSAA).
Te Māngai Pāho - Irirangi Te Motu | NZ On Air Reo Māori Co-Fund: Open for Applications. The co-fund, which will distribute approximately $8m, is seeking proposals for high-quality Scripted, Scripted Development and Non-fiction reo Māori screen content for a broad audience. Closing 27 August. More Info here
Finding Your Voice & Tribe
In Conversation with Jerusha Hess - July 21
WIFT NZ is delighted to host Jerusha Hess for an honest conversation about staying true to your originality, the value of long-term creative partnerships, and how finding the right people early can shape everything that follows.
Tickets here, free for NZWG members
Women in Governance | Wellington & Auckland Events - July 14 & 15
What does it mean to sit on a board and how do women get there?
Join WIFT NZ to explore what it takes for women to step into and reshape governance in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Support our Advocacy
We have a massive year in 2026, an anniversary and collective bargaining! Financial support means we can do more work on behalf of screenwriters. Help us to help the writers!
Become A Member
Want to join up? Or, not sure if you are still an NZWG member?
Follow the link below to be part of the collective, writers are stronger together!
Join the New Zealand Writers Guild
Become a member and access exclusive benefits and resources.
