Since launching in 2023, Auckland Council Libraries’ We Read Auckland festival has grown into a much-loved celebration of stories and storytellers across Tāmaki Makaurau.
Held each August, the festival brings together readers and writers through a mix of events, including author talks, writing workshops, and community activations across Tāmaki Makaurau.
At its heart is the Bestie Collection—14 new books by or about Aucklanders made widely available across all 56 libraries, giving readers the chance to discover bold new voices, revisit familiar favourites, and connect through the power of reading. But how are these books chosen, and how does the festival come to life across 56 libraries?
We spoke with two key people behind the scenes: Senior Librarian Andrea Levarre-Waters, a member of the We Read Auckland project team since its inception, and Ineka Vogels, Festival Programmer, to learn more about what goes into planning this uniquely Auckland celebration.
Q: What’s the lead time for planning the festival?
Ineka: We usually start again just a few months after wrapping up! Feedback from readers and event-goers helps shape the next year. We begin reading over summer, then get into full planning mode by February. It’s a team effort involving community librarians, suppliers, publishers, and more—right through to getting books into every library by the 1 August launch!
Q: What’s the process for choosing the books featured in the new Bestie Collection each year?
Andrea: For We Read Auckland Besties, we start with a pool of new and forthcoming titles written by emerging and established Auckland authors published within the last year. We’re always on the lookout for stories that are uniquely ‘Auckland’ and offer a chance to discover fresh voices and perspectives. But above all, they need to be entertaining, absorbing, and hit some of the trending subjects and issues Aucklanders want to read, learn, and talk about together.
Q: How do you balance showcasing well-known authors with new voices?
Andrea: We love to have a mix. Readers often enjoy a familiar name—so celebrity memoirs or well-known authors always draw interest. This year’s collection includes returning names like Olivia Spooner, Dominic Hoey, and Michael Bennett. Michael’s Better the Blood featured in our first Bestie selection in 2023, and his Hana Westerman crime series continues to be hugely popular.
Q: Do recommendations from library staff or the public influence the Bestie collection selection??
Andrea: We keep an eye on what's coming out in the next year within our criteria, and word-of-mouth suggestions can help in building our initial pool. We also look at customer borrowing data to understand what Aucklanders are reading. But we keep an open mind—sometimes the surprise hits are the most rewarding!
Q: Are you trying anything new with event formats this year?
Ineka: Yes! This year we’re launching the festival with a reading party at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki on Saturday 2 August, 12–2pm. The Grey Gallery and Te Ātea | North Atrium will become reading zones with beanbags, pop-up libraries, and a cosy corner for tamariki. Bring your own book or borrow a Bestie, read quietly, and stay for a relaxed kōrero with fellow readers and librarians. It’s drop-in and totally free!
Q: What’s one part of the festival you’re especially proud of this year?
Ineka: This year we’ve created a mini collection-within-the-collection for National Poetry Day on Friday 22 August. We’ve selected recent works by six local poets whose writing reflects the many voices and experiences of Auckland. Look for them on Bestie shelves from 1 August!
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Whether you're a seasoned book lover, a curious first-time reader, or someone looking to connect with your local community, We Read Auckland offers something for everyone.
With a region-wide line-up of events, fresh new titles in the Bestie Collection, and opportunities to hear from the people behind the pages, this year’s festival is all about celebrating the stories that make Tāmaki Makaurau unique.
To find out more, explore the full programme and see what’s happening at your local library, visit the Auckland Libraries website.
