Philip Matthews
@secondzeit.bsky.social
Journalist in Christchurch, New Zealand. Senior writer with The Press newspaper. Reviewer of the year (Voyager Media Awards 2022). Author of The Quiet Hero (2023), the story of a peaceful NZ volunteer's death in Ukraine.
Pinned
Someday this war’s gonna end
Reposted by Philip Matthews
A writer who challenges transgender views is the keynote speaker as the Free Speech Union holds its annual general meeting in the city.
Brian Tamaki among guests as free speakers descend on Christchurch
A writer who challenges transgender views is the keynote speaker as the Free Speech Union holds its annual general meeting in the city.
dlvr.it
November 6, 2025 at 11:19 PM
A writer who challenges transgender views is the keynote speaker as the Free Speech Union holds its annual general meeting in the city.
Sad news www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
120-year-old kauri villa once a refuge for writer Robin Hyde set for demolition
Penman House, where The Godwits Fly was written, will be demolished despite fierce opposition from hundreds of writers and artists, as it has no heritage listings to protect it.
www.thepost.co.nz
November 4, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Sad news www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
I also had a chat with artist Sam Mahon, who is unrepentant about his "disgusting" sculpture of Nick Smith www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
The Press
www.thepress.co.nz
November 2, 2025 at 9:46 PM
I also had a chat with artist Sam Mahon, who is unrepentant about his "disgusting" sculpture of Nick Smith www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
I had a chat with controversial cartoonist Garrick Tremain, who faces his final deadline www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
The Press
www.thepress.co.nz
November 2, 2025 at 9:46 PM
I had a chat with controversial cartoonist Garrick Tremain, who faces his final deadline www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
Pike River gets a 4/5 from me. Has a great script (Fiona Samuel) and is the best thing I've seen Melanie Lynskey do. A tribute to two women, and a third (Helen Kelly). But an uncanny moment when the real Jacinda embraces actors playing Anna and Sonya; other politicians were also played by actors.
November 1, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Pike River gets a 4/5 from me. Has a great script (Fiona Samuel) and is the best thing I've seen Melanie Lynskey do. A tribute to two women, and a third (Helen Kelly). But an uncanny moment when the real Jacinda embraces actors playing Anna and Sonya; other politicians were also played by actors.
Reposted by Philip Matthews
Renowned artist and author Sam Mahon explains just how he came to make that “disgusting” sculpture of Nick Smith ahead of the launch of his new book.
Art should provoke, upset, break hearts says sculptor Sam Mahon
Renowned artist and author Sam Mahon explains just how he came to make that “disgusting” sculpture of Nick Smith ahead of the launch of his new book.
dlvr.it
October 31, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Renowned artist and author Sam Mahon explains just how he came to make that “disgusting” sculpture of Nick Smith ahead of the launch of his new book.
40 years after The Bone People won the Booker
‘You’re pulling my leg’: Forty years ago today, Keri Hulme won the Booker Prize
‘You’re pulling my leg’: Forty years ago today, Keri Hulme won the Booker Prize
The night Keri Hulme's masterpiece disrupted British publishing and changed the novel forever....
thespinoff.co.nz
October 31, 2025 at 1:46 AM
40 years after The Bone People won the Booker
Reposted by Philip Matthews
Huge volumes of water and wind coming down the streets, and everybody was just sort of staring out windows, going, 'That's not normal'.
Glasshouse torn up, roofs ripped off: Invercargill local describes 'violent' storm
Huge volumes of water and wind coming down the streets, and everybody was just sort of staring out windows, going, 'That's not normal'.
dlvr.it
October 25, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Huge volumes of water and wind coming down the streets, and everybody was just sort of staring out windows, going, 'That's not normal'.
Reposted by Philip Matthews
Nice piece by @secondzeit.bsky.social , and much I did not know, including Tiffany being an early Spiral - though it’s obvious really!
I keep being drawn into the circle, first with Keri, then Marian, now Tiffany. It’s time to go into town again!
I keep being drawn into the circle, first with Keri, then Marian, now Tiffany. It’s time to go into town again!
October 24, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Nice piece by @secondzeit.bsky.social , and much I did not know, including Tiffany being an early Spiral - though it’s obvious really!
I keep being drawn into the circle, first with Keri, then Marian, now Tiffany. It’s time to go into town again!
I keep being drawn into the circle, first with Keri, then Marian, now Tiffany. It’s time to go into town again!
Reposted by Philip Matthews
Great article about the bone people and Keri Hulme by @secondzeit.bsky.social
www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
Spiral exhibition at Chch Art Gallery christchurchartgallery.org.nz/exhibitions/...
#pukapuka #booksky #Ōtautahi #Christchurch
www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
Spiral exhibition at Chch Art Gallery christchurchartgallery.org.nz/exhibitions/...
#pukapuka #booksky #Ōtautahi #Christchurch
Spiral Collectives
A closer look at the publications of the influential women's group Spiral Collectives.
christchurchartgallery.org.nz
October 24, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Great article about the bone people and Keri Hulme by @secondzeit.bsky.social
www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
Spiral exhibition at Chch Art Gallery christchurchartgallery.org.nz/exhibitions/...
#pukapuka #booksky #Ōtautahi #Christchurch
www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
Spiral exhibition at Chch Art Gallery christchurchartgallery.org.nz/exhibitions/...
#pukapuka #booksky #Ōtautahi #Christchurch
Reposted by Philip Matthews
A great look back at The Bone People by @secondzeit.bsky.social, with the legacy of Keri Hulme doubtless to live on, too www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
‘Keri was ahead of her time’: The Bone People’s historic Booker Prize win
The Bone People won the world’s top literary prize 40 years ago, despite one judge describing it as “unreadable”. Was this global success to blame for author Keri Hulme never publishing a second book?
www.thepress.co.nz
October 24, 2025 at 7:39 PM
A great look back at The Bone People by @secondzeit.bsky.social, with the legacy of Keri Hulme doubtless to live on, too www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
Reposted by Philip Matthews
Holy shit! That motherfucker TORE DOWN THE WHITE HOUSE!
October 23, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Holy shit! That motherfucker TORE DOWN THE WHITE HOUSE!
It’s like the Ship of Theseus. How many times can Metro relaunch or evolve before it has no relationship to the magazine from the 1980s?
RIP Metro magazine: 1981 – 2025
RIP Metro magazine: 1981 – 2025
The owners insist it will continue – but how?...
thespinoff.co.nz
October 18, 2025 at 4:45 AM
It’s like the Ship of Theseus. How many times can Metro relaunch or evolve before it has no relationship to the magazine from the 1980s?
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Avalanche
Without saying Hurt, fav Cover Song?
October 13, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Avalanche
Another movie to upset the anti-Ardern fanatics
The Post can reveal how the former prime minister was cast, ahead of the film’s premiere next week.
Dame Jacinda Ardern’s surprise Pike River film cameo
The Post can reveal how the former prime minister was cast, ahead of the film’s premiere next week.
dlvr.it
October 11, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Another movie to upset the anti-Ardern fanatics
Hit the north
What do Pegasus, Woodend and Ravenswood have in common - apart from a highway and a dreamer’s legacy?
‘Rolleston but nicer’: Why Ravenswood and Pegasus are North Canterbury’s new frontier
What do Pegasus, Woodend and Ravenswood have in common - apart from a highway and a dreamer’s legacy?
dlvr.it
October 11, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Hit the north
Reposted by Philip Matthews
The sale is a windfall for the Christchurch City Council, which gets to keep half the proceeds.
Red-zoned cliff-top site sells for 33 times RV
The sale is a windfall for the Christchurch City Council, which gets to keep half the proceeds.
dlvr.it
October 10, 2025 at 4:13 PM
The sale is a windfall for the Christchurch City Council, which gets to keep half the proceeds.
More Mauger, mate
Phil Mauger will stay on as Christchurch mayor after a convincing win.
Phil Mauger wins Christchurch mayoralty with a 20,000 majority
Phil Mauger will stay on as Christchurch mayor after a convincing win.
dlvr.it
October 11, 2025 at 1:19 AM
More Mauger, mate
Bell’s back baby
Ben Bell has been re-elected as the Gore mayor for a second term.
Ben Bell re-elected as Gore mayor
Ben Bell has been re-elected as the Gore mayor for a second term.
dlvr.it
October 11, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Bell’s back baby
Reposted by Philip Matthews
Dr Jane Goodall with volunteers during a tour of Richmond Community Garden as part of her visit to answer questions and sign copies of her books. 30 May 2019.
📷Jane Goodall touring Richmond Community Garden. In copyright CCL. CCL-RCG-IMG_7991.
my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/blogs/post/j...
📷Jane Goodall touring Richmond Community Garden. In copyright CCL. CCL-RCG-IMG_7991.
my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/blogs/post/j...
October 8, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Dr Jane Goodall with volunteers during a tour of Richmond Community Garden as part of her visit to answer questions and sign copies of her books. 30 May 2019.
📷Jane Goodall touring Richmond Community Garden. In copyright CCL. CCL-RCG-IMG_7991.
my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/blogs/post/j...
📷Jane Goodall touring Richmond Community Garden. In copyright CCL. CCL-RCG-IMG_7991.
my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/blogs/post/j...
My review of the Chris Knox biography.
Book of the Week: To Chris with love newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/09/b...
Book of the Week: To Chris with love newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/09/b...
Book of the Week: To Chris with love
NZ's best book reviewer on a major biography of the caustic, abrasive, sarcastic and loveable Chris Knox.
newsroom.co.nz
October 8, 2025 at 6:11 PM
My review of the Chris Knox biography.
Book of the Week: To Chris with love newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/09/b...
Book of the Week: To Chris with love newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/09/b...
I’d like to think that if TS Eliot had a job writing about comedians for a newspaper, he might have started a story like this
October 4, 2025 at 2:37 AM
I’d like to think that if TS Eliot had a job writing about comedians for a newspaper, he might have started a story like this