David Wells

Peter Wells (1950-2019) was a New Zealand creative figure recognized for his contributions to literature and film. His career spanned writing, directing, and historical exploration, often focusing on gay and historical narratives. Wells's work included acclaimed short stories and novels, as well as a significant body of film and documentary work.

He was a co-founder of the Auckland Writers Festival and established a festival dedicated to LGBTQI writers. His literary achievements were recognized with awards and fellowships, including the Michael King Fellowship and an appointment as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to literature and film. Wells also explored themes of identity and history in his personal life and professional endeavors.

Wells gained recognition for his writing, with his short stories and novels receiving critical praise. His 1991 collection, Dangerous Desires, featured stories that were later adapted into films. He also collaborated on an operatic dramatization of Katherine Mansfield's work. In filmmaking, his debut feature, Desperate Remedies (1993), co-directed with Stewart Main, was an expressionistic take on New Zealand's colonial past and was selected for the Cannes Film Festival. He continued to produce and direct films and documentaries, often exploring themes relevant to his literary interests.

A significant aspect of Wells's career involved fostering literary communities. In 1998, he co-founded the Auckland Writers Festival. Later, in 2016, he established the 'same same but different' (ssbd) festival to champion LGBTQI writers, which includes an annual prize named in his honor. His literary achievements were formally acknowledged through various accolades. His novel Iridescence was a finalist for prestigious literary awards, and in 2006, he was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his contributions to literature and film. The Michael King Fellowship was awarded to him in 2011.

Wells also delved into biographical and historical writing. In 2009, he received a New Zealand non-fiction literary prize to write a series of biographical essays on William Colenso, a multifaceted historical figure. Titled The Hungry Heart, the book, published in 2011, was described as an essay series focusing on Colenso's personal struggles and achievements as a printer, writer, botanist, explorer, ex-missionary, and intellectual. This work was lauded for setting a new standard in New Zealand historical writing.