Following up on an earlier story in LeafSalon, the North Shore City Council has announced that it will be contributing $10,000 towards the purchase of the townhouse behind the Frank Sargeson cottage on Esmonde Road, Takapuna.

The purchase will be in memory of the late Michael King. The Sargeson Trust hopes to establish a writers’ studio there. Dr King was Sargeson’s biographer and deputy chair of the Frank Sargeson Trust. He was also well known for helping other writers.

North Shore City Mayor George Wood said ‘This property is a significant national landmark - not only as Sargeson’s home but also as a place where several of our best writers such as Janet Frame, Kevin Ireland and Karl Stead worked for long periods.’