Going West

Going West was founded by Naomi McCleary, arts manager for Waitākere City, and Murray Gray, owner of Parnell bookshop Under Silkwood, with the assistance of Bob Harvey, Mayor of Waitakere.

[4][5] The festival's name was inspired by a passage in Maurice Gee's 1992 novel Going West which describes a train journey from the western suburb of Henderson to central Auckland.

[8] One panel featured Maurice Shadbolt, Dick Scott and Kevin Ireland; another comprised Debra Daley, Emily Perkins, and Stephanie Johnson.

[7] By its tenth year, the festival consisted of a three-day literary weekend at a single venue, Titirangi Memorial Hall, followed by an all-day trip on a steam train, hired for $15,500, to Helensville and back, stopping at five stations.

[6] The festival is now held annually in a variety of Waitakere locations, including West Auckland's Civic Building, Lopdell House, Glen Eden Playhouse and Te Uru.