The Caselberg Trust marks its 20th year!

The Caselberg Trust marks its 20th year. It may be hard to believe, but it’s true. The Anna and John Caselberg Charitable Trust was founded in 2006 by a small group of friends and neighbours who came together to buy the former home of Anna and John Caselberg at Whaka Oho Rahi, Broad Bay, on the Otago Peninsula. Their aim was to restore the house and create an arts residency programme that would honour Anna and John’s artistic and literary contributions to Aotearoa New Zealand—Anna as a painter and John as a writer.

The house had stood empty for two years, so the Trust’s first years were focused on renovation. Supported by local tradespeople who generously volunteered their time, Trust members worked many weekends to bring the house and garden back to life. Over time, it was carefully restored into the warm, character-filled harbourside cottage they are today.

Over the next few years, the Trust held numerous fundraising events, built relationships with philanthropic partners, and applied for grants, all while developing the residency programme. It was an intense period. In 2016–17, we successfully raised funds to build the Charles Brasch Studio in the grounds of Caselberg House, and in 2019 we completed our first full year of residencies. Another major milestone followed in 2020, when the Caselberg Trust became mortgage-free. We are especially grateful to the University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic for their support, particularly in those early years.

Since then, the Caselberg Trust has continued to grow, shaping its own distinctive kaupapa and manaakitaka—one that welcomes, connects, and supports artists, writers, musicians, and other creative practitioners through a wide range of residencies across the arts. While its primary focus is Aotearoa New Zealand, the Trust also includes international residencies. In addition, it runs an annual International Poetry Prize and our very own Caselberg Press has so far published four books of poetry.

Twenty years on, the Caselberg Trust is firmly woven into the arts and cultural life of Aotearoa New Zealand, and we look forward to continuing this mahi in the decades ahead.

We will be sharing some memories of previous residents and projects throughout the next year as we celebrate this milestone.