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When we invited Bill Manhire to send a few words for Going West’s thirtieth anniversary, he gave us these:

“...I've always loved Going West. It's always been my favourite festival – a great big happiness machine.”

A great big happiness machine indeed. We might just have to put that on a T-shirt.

But for now, we’re putting together an evening of celebration. Last time we wrote, we asked you to save the date. Now we have a line-up to share, tickets to book, and thirty years of literary life to celebrate.

Photograph by Gil Hanly Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections

A Love Letter to Going West

Friday 16 October, Titirangi Theatre, Lopdell House

For thirty years, Going West has brought writers, readers and ideas together, creating unforgettable conversations, championing distinctive voices and making space for all sorts of literary carry-on.

We’d love you to join us for a warm, lively evening of stories, poetry, conversation and music, with selected treasures from our archive of audio and images along with plenty of Westie hospitality.

Joining us:

Glenn Colquhoun
Stephanie Johnson
Simon Wilson
Anne Kennedy, with poets Kiri Piahana-Wong, Zech Soakai, Richard von Sturmer and Zephyr Zhang
HINA (Te Rarawa, Ngāti Raukawa), Tāmaki Makaurau-based singer, songwriter

Come from 7pm for a drink and a catch-up; the evening begins promptly at 7.30pm. Celebratory nibbles will be served during the evening, and drinks will be available to purchase.

Tickets: $35 standard | $50 supporter

It’s a small theatre, and we’d love to see it filled with the people who have kept Going West going west. That includes you.

Book Tickets Here →

From the Archive: Small Holes in the Silence

Poetry Performance by Bill Manhire, Norman Meehan, Hannah Griffin, Blair Latham, 2017. Photograph by Liz March Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections

And while we’re talking about happiness machines, here’s something to spend a little time with.

At Going West in 2017, Bill Manhire joined Norman Meehan on piano, Hannah Griffin on vocals and Blair Latham on saxophone for a performance bringing poetry and jazz together. The result was something special.

Small Holes in the Silence features poems by Hone Tuwhare, Allen Curnow, Alistair Campbell, Janet Frame, David Mitchell and Manhire himself, moving between spoken words, song and music.

A little of Going West, wherever you happen to be.

Listen to Small Holes in the Silence →

And after the birthday?

We’re looking ahead to the next programme at Shadbolt House: more opportunities for writers and readers to gather, for workshops and conversations. We’ll have more to share as plans take shape.

For now, we hope you’ll join us on 16 October. Thirty years deserves a room full of friends.

Ngā mihi nui,

Tracey and the Going West team

goingwestfest.co.nz | Going West Trust PO Box 60413 Titirangi Auckland 0642 New Zealand

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