Established in 1934 as the New Zealand P.E.N Centre, the New Zealand Society of Authors (PEN NZ Inc) is a membership based arts organisation representing approximately 1,280 writers nationally. Our membership structure includes Full Membership for established, published writers; Associate Membership for unpublished working writers; Student Membership; Affiliate/Corporate Membership.  Through our seven regions we provide collegial support, programmes and events for writers throughout the country.

The NZSA Best First Book Awards in fiction, non-fiction and poetry form part of the Montana New Zealand Book Awards. Other initiatives include the biennial Lilian Ida Smith Award, which helps writers over 35 years of age further their careers, and the annual Beatson Fellowship (formerly the Foxton Fellowship). The Society also administers the Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust Awards for the mind, body, spirit genre.