Kia ora! Going West is the longest running independent literary festival in Aotearoa (at least that we're aware of), striving to make the world a better place one story at a time. Our own story began in 1996 on a train heading west from Auckland to Helensville, making periodic stops for poetry, music, oratory and general literary derring-do. In addition to live gatherings to celebrate the written word (and the spoken, sung and gestured word), we also produce podcasts, make films and occasionally even publish a book. We're always on the lookout for new ideas, so if you've got a thought about how to champion the literature of Aotearoa, get in touch. We don't bite. We thrive on bringing people together. Ngā mihi, James.