Ka Pānui Tātau i Tāmaki Makaurau / We Read Auckland, a free annual festival celebrating writers and readers of Tāmaki Makaurau, run by Auckland Council Libraries, opens on 1 August.

Witi Ihimaera is named as the first ever patron of Ka Pānui Tātau i Tāmaki Makaurau / We Read Auckland festival (more about this here).

This year, as well as attending free author talks, Aucklanders can also take a look at the new Bestie collection to read and borrow new and local bestsellers from authors like Witi Ihimaera, Michael Bennett and Hayley Holt – without the wait.

Witi Ihimaera: Ka Pānui Tātau i Tāmaki Makaurau / We Read Auckland patron.

Ka Pānui Tātau i Tāmaki Makaurau / We Read Auckland features a stellar line-up of free talks featuring authors of the Bestie collection titles and other brilliant local authors too.

The programme of events opens on 3 August and runs to 11 August.

(https://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/Pages/wra-events.aspx)

• Festival patron Witi Ihimaera and Coco Solid kōrero on creative and collaborative practices;

• Dominic Hoey and Michael Bennett on contemporary crime writing;

• Girls That Invest podcaster Simran Kaur on finding financial independence

• And much more.

Visit the Auckland Council Libraries website for more information and to book free tickets.