Frank Sargeson (born Norris Frank Davey) had a profound effect on the style of New Zealand writing with his focus on the voices of New Zealander’s and their authentic vernacular.

The bulk of this material contains 878 folders and nearly 400 black and white original photographic prints. Including within the manuscripts are three series of inward and outward correspondence. These letters are comprehensive covering his many relationships including those with friends, fellow writers and publishers. There are further series comprising literary drafts across all forms of writing as well as tranches of his personal and financial papers, interview transcripts, collected newspaper cuttings and theatre ephemera.

It includes annotated manuscripts, literary drafts, and research notebooks that demonstrate his creative process and allows researchers to trace the development of some of his novels, short stories and memoirs.

Sargeson was a mentor to many other writers, including Janet Frame, and there are many connections to these writers in this collection.