A Love Letter to Going West

Thirty years of writers, readers and unforgettable conversations For three decades, Going West has played an important role in Aotearoa’s literary landscape, bringing together celebrated writers, emerging voices, poets and passionate readers. This special anniversary event honours that legacy with an evening of storytelling, poetry, music and conversation celebrating the people and moments that have made Going West so memorable. Audiences can look forward to appearances from writers Glenn Colquhoun, Stephanie Johnson and Simon Wilson, alongside Anne Kennedy and poets Kiri Piahana-Wong, Zech Soakai, Richard von Sturmer and Zephyr Zhang. Music comes courtesy of HINA (Te Rarawa, Ngāti Raukawa), a Tāmaki Makaurau-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. The evening will also revisit highlights from Going West’s remarkable archive of recordings and images, offering a glimpse into three decades of literary history and the conversations that have helped shape New Zealand writing. The festival’s extensive archive, preserved in partnership with Auckland Libraries, includes hundreds of audio recordings and thousands of photographs, making its rich history accessible to future generations. More than a trip down memory lane, A Love Letter to Going West is a chance to reconnect with the local literary community, celebrate the power of words and look ahead to what the future might hold. Expect a warm West Auckland welcome, celebratory nibbles and drinks available to purchase. Event details

• Date: Friday 16 October 2026
• Time: Doors open at 7pm; event begins at 7.30pm
• Venue: Titirangi Theatre, 418 Titirangi Road, Titirangi, Auckland
• Tickets: Available through Humanitix

For anyone who has been part of Going West’s story, or simply loves Aotearoa literature, this promises to be a memorable evening celebrating three remarkable decades of stories and connection. Additional background on Going West’s history and archive comes from the official Going West website and its archive page. Event details are listed on Humanitix.  image