The History - Act V
The History - Act Five
Act Five: 2006-2009 by Allan Baddock
What a treat! Please come with us as former Guild president, longtime South Island rep, and prolific writer, Al Baddock takes us on his journey with NZWG: the internal workings of our organisation, the politics of the times, the place of NZWG on the international scene, the personalities, the emotions, and the real texture of what it was like to be a South Island Te Waipounamu writer between 2006-2009. The introductions to Al’s piece below. And the full version available to read here.
Imaginary friendships (Abridged version and merely an intro)
Some years back, 35 maybe, a Writers Guild newsletter turned up in my Dunedin mailbox. A real, folding paper news sheet in my real actual physical mailbox. That's how long ago it was. But it was as if an imaginary friend had just turned up at my front door. I'd joined the Guild five years or so earlier because it seemed the professional thing to do.
For those first years that was about it. Imaginary friends. I had no idea who “the Guild” actually was or what it did. I didn’t much care. It was some official organisation up north, like most other organisations.
But that folding paper, news sheet turned up in my mailbox - with an array of reflections, tips, and musings of a species I’d never heard from before: New Zealanders, writing for the NZ screen; facing the same NZ frustrations, wrestling the same black dogs, and assailing the same stony walls that until then I had only ever climbed alone.
I've often recalled it as being as if air had suddenly entered my space capsule. Robinson Crusoe discovering footprints in the sand. Suddenly I had access to perspectives on the professional and intellectual region I inhabited that were not solely my own. It’s effect, for me, was profound. It has lingered with me. It burned into my consciousness the surety that however much writing may be an internal exercise; however much it may be a personal expression, there is untold power to be drawn from the shared perspective. NZWG became an actual part of my life.
So when I opened an email in 2006 from our stalwart gone-again-back-again Exec Director, Dominic Sheehan saying that the Guild looked like having no Southern Region rep for the coming year I emailed him and said "Have just opened the notice about board elections. Can't have no Southern rep. I'm happy to step up…"
Where We Come From: The Writers' Journey - Christchurch RESCHEDULED 17 September 2026
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.
Panellists:
Gillian Ashurst, James Croot, Andrew Gunn, and Peter Rowley
WRITERS CREDITS - Update Your Credits
We are making the longest credit reel in NZ screen history!
It is going to name all those who have a writer credit on projects in Aotearoa between 1976-2026. This is to show the work that has actually been done by screenwriters in New Zealand.
We need your input.
Jump into the survey to check your own credits, make sure we are not leaving anyone out. The results will be shared with all at the Gala dinner in October.
Thanks to AWGACS for supporting the project.
Want to look like a writer? Buy a T-Shirt!
What a treat. Please come with us as former Guild president, longtime South Island rep, and prolific screenwriter, Al Baddock takes us on his journey with NZWG: the internal workings of our organisation, the politics of the times, the place of NZWG on the international scene, the personalities, the emotions, and the real texture of what it was like to be a New Zealand (Te Wai Pounamu) screenwriter between 2006-2009.
Already an NZWG member? Sign in here
The History - Act Five
Act Five: 2006-2009 by Allan Baddock
What a treat! Please come with us as former Guild president, longtime South Island rep, and prolific writer, Al Baddock takes us on his journey with NZWG: the internal workings of our organisation, the politics of the times, the place of NZWG on the international scene, the personalities, the emotions, and the real texture of what it was like to be a South Island Te Waipounamu writer between 2006-2009. The introductions to Al’s piece below. And the full version available to read here.
Imaginary friendships (Abridged version and merely an intro)
Some years back, 35 maybe, a Writers Guild newsletter turned up in my Dunedin mailbox. A real, folding paper news sheet in my real actual physical mailbox. That's how long ago it was. But it was as if an imaginary friend had just turned up at my front door. I'd joined the Guild five years or so earlier because it seemed the professional thing to do.
For those first years that was about it. Imaginary friends. I had no idea who “the Guild” actually was or what it did. I didn’t much care. It was some official organisation up north, like most other organisations.
But that folding paper, news sheet turned up in my mailbox - with an array of reflections, tips, and musings of a species I’d never heard from before: New Zealanders, writing for the NZ screen; facing the same NZ frustrations, wrestling the same black dogs, and assailing the same stony walls that until then I had only ever climbed alone.
I've often recalled it as being as if air had suddenly entered my space capsule. Robinson Crusoe discovering footprints in the sand. Suddenly I had access to perspectives on the professional and intellectual region I inhabited that were not solely my own. It’s effect, for me, was profound. It has lingered with me. It burned into my consciousness the surety that however much writing may be an internal exercise; however much it may be a personal expression, there is untold power to be drawn from the shared perspective. NZWG became an actual part of my life.
So when I opened an email in 2006 from our stalwart gone-again-back-again Exec Director, Dominic Sheehan saying that the Guild looked like having no Southern Region rep for the coming year I emailed him and said "Have just opened the notice about board elections. Can't have no Southern rep. I'm happy to step up…"
Where We Come From: The Writers' Journey - Christchurch RESCHEDULED 17 September 2026
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.
Panellists:
Gillian Ashurst, James Croot, Andrew Gunn, and Peter Rowley
WRITERS CREDITS - Update Your Credits
We are making the longest credit reel in NZ screen history!
It is going to name all those who have a writer credit on projects in Aotearoa between 1976-2026. This is to show the work that has actually been done by screenwriters in New Zealand.
We need your input.
Jump into the survey to check your own credits, make sure we are not leaving anyone out. The results will be shared with all at the Gala dinner in October.
Thanks to AWGACS for supporting the project.
Want to look like a writer? Buy a T-Shirt!
Join the New Zealand Writers Guild
Become a member and access exclusive benefits and resources.
