Participate in a free Massive Workshop with Sam Scott and Theo David
”We use our own personal stories and experiences to create compelling theatre.”
Exploring what being Māori means today, author Brad Haami looks back to the experience of the first migrants and traces the course of urbanisation over the succeeding years with Dr Ella Henry.
Gavin Bishop in conversation with Bridget Mahy to illuminate the kind of New Zealand Gavin has hoped to capture for young and old readers alike in his beautiful book Aotearoa, The New Zealand Story.
Scotty and Stacey Morrison’s best-selling language books have been an easy and accessible entry point to te reo Māori for many. Guyon Espiner leads them in a discussion on their books, the resurgence of te reo learning, and the language pioneers who went before.
Peter Wells is joined in conversation by Stephanie Johnson as they trace the journey to Dear Oliver and the striking view it gives of the history of Pākehā New Zealanders.
As we incorporate artificial intelligence, automation and robotics into our lives and even our bodies, we continue to wrestle with what it all means for us as humans. Helen Heath and Dr Jo Cribb are joined by Vincent Heeringa to discuss these issues.
Paula Morris is joined by essay collection editors Susanna Andrew and Simon Wilson, and essayist and economist Shamubeel Eaqub to discuss creative nonfiction and investigative journalism.
Te Uru’s annual Indie Book Fair has a strong emphasis and support for independent design, handmade and limited-edition publications, artist books, catalogues and more.
Alongside the Books & Writers Weekend Sunday Sessions Titirangi Library opens to a fledgling fringe programme featuring three special experiences.
Freshly-minted novelists Annaleese Jochems and Dominic Hoey, and recently published poet Michael Steven, join interviewer Sonya Wilson to tell tales of their first time and the highs and lows of putting their words out into the world.
Conservation pioneer Debbie Stewart will be joined in conversation by friend, fellow falconer and journalist Rachel Stewart.
Two special evenings of readings of new plays by Māori playwrights. Following a professional playwrights’ workshop, hear these new works here first and share your whakaaro with the writers.
Going West is honoured to partner with Auckland University Press to host the launch of a new collection of poetry from C.K. Stead, That Derrida Whom I Derided Died: Poems 2013-2017.
Interviewer Steve Braunias talks with C.K. Stead and Charlotte Grimshaw about their recent works, their writing lives, and what it means to be part of a literary family.
Russell Brown returns with a panel of special guests including Toby Manhire and Madeleine Chapman in a provocative discussion on where the digital word is taking us.
In our ever more connected world, loneliness is on the rise and people in the developed world crave a sense of belonging that so often eludes them. Jenny Robin Jones, author of Not for Ourselves Alone, converses about loneliness with journalist and reviewer Catherine Woulfe.
In her book The Infinite Game, psychology professor and activist Niki Harré asks us to imagine our world anew. Joined on stage by Laila Harré, Niki’s session will be provocative and interactive.
Lizzie Marvelly, Dame Fiona Kidman, Sandra Coney and Golriz Ghahraman together in conversation with Carol Hirschfeld.
Traversing both geography and family relationships, recent novels by Kate Duignan and Rajorshi Chakraborti share common threads. They are joined in conversation by Siobhan Harvey.
Tuhi Tika is back by popular demand. Whether you’re a beginner or mid-career playwright, Te Pou Theatre offers you the opportunity to participate in a two-day Māori playwrights masterclass.
Does a city a writer make? Three visiting Wellington poets – Chris Tse, Helen Heath and Anna Jackson – explore what it’s like to live, work and write in the windy city with Paula Green.
The 2017 Sir James Wallace Master of Creative Writing Prize winner Amy McDaid will read from her prize-winning manuscript.
Prolific writer and national treasure Dame Fiona Kidman has often written about outsiders trying to navigate a conformist society. Her latest novel, This Mortal Boy, mines this same rich vein. Fiona will discuss the story’s moment in New Zealand social history with Karyn Hay.
Tū is a compelling new multimedia collaboration between much-loved musician and songwriter Moana and electronic music producer Paddy Free.
This year Paula Morris, award-winning novelist, short story writer and essayist, will address the festival theme – spread the word – as our Sir Graeme Douglas Orator.
The 2018 Curnow Reader is Serie Barford, a remarkable poet with deep ties to West Auckland and a long-standing connection with the Going West Writers Festival.
Celebrate the launch of the going west writers weekend with Curnow Reader Serie Barford, Sir Graeme Douglas Orator Paula Morris, and a breathtaking performance by Tū.
Books featured during the festival will be available for sale throughout the weekend thanks to Unity Books
Join Dr Bruce Hayward in Piha as he leads a walk based on his recent book Out of the Ocean into the Fire: History in the rocks, fossils and landforms of Auckland, Northland and Coromandel.
Temuera Morrison stars as the farming patriarch who makes it clear his family should have absolutely nothing to do with rival family the Poatas. Then romance enters the picture.
Three Screenings: 10:30 am, 6pm and 8pm
