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Acclaimed New Zealand writer Witi Ihimaera launched his memoir Native Son at Going West in 2019. He gave a powerful and emotional reading from the book, with sonic accompaniment by the multi-instrumentalist Kingsley Spargo. 

At Going West, we were extremely honoured to host the launch, for what was the second installment of Ihimaera\\u2019s planned three-part memoir. 

To mark the occasion, he read an evocative passage drawing on ancient M\\u0101ori legend and wrestling with the trauma of his teen years.. 

Musical polymath Kingsley Spargo provided a rich, multi-layered soundscape to accompany the reading, with diverse techniques on both taonga puoro and orchestral instruments, mixed with innovative use of digital processing.

The session was introduced by Harriet Allan from Penguin Random House.

Witi Ihimaera is of Te Wh\\u0101nau a Kai, Te Aitanga a M\\u0101haki, Rongowhakaata, T\\u016bhoe, Te Wh\\u0101nau \\u0101 Apanui and Ng\\u0101ti Porou descent. He was the first M\\u0101ori to publish a novel, Tangi, in 1973. He has subsequently gone on to become one of New Zealand\\u2019s leading writers. He is passionate about writing M\\u0101ori stories and creating opportunities for them to be shown not only in print but also in theatre and on film. The first installment of his memoir, M\\u0101ori Boy, won the 2016 Ockham Award for the best non-fiction work. His play, All Our Sons, won six Wellington theatre awards. He is currently writing the third volume of his memoir.