Since 1996 the Going West Writers Festival has drawn literary voices from around Aotearoa to West Auckland for a feast of ideas and words. Eminent New Zealand writers have kicked off each year with an opening address on the theme of that year's Going West, most as part of the Douglas Orators series. Drawing on the Going West Trust's comprehensive sound archive, Voices of Aotearoa presents these keynote speeches as delivered on the day. Open these pages to read real 'live recordings' that blend the best of literary criticism and social commentary, formal writing and direct oratory, from this provocative forum.