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
My year in review
OPINION: War, trade and a moribund economy dominated 2025.
Bad men, confusing times: Twelve dates that defined 2025.
OPINION: War, trade and a moribund economy dominated 2025.
dlvr.it
December 26, 2025 at 8:35 PM
My year in review
Reposted by Philip Matthews
I’ve done some catalogue searching and am fairly confident in saying that 5/10 titles in this list do not exist (1, 2, 4, 5 and 7).
Sloppy, unacceptable, and a real kick in the guts to real authors with real books they’d love people to buy and read!
Sloppy, unacceptable, and a real kick in the guts to real authors with real books they’d love people to buy and read!
#4 sounds like a lovely book but I didn't write it. Have had whānau up and down the country send me clippings lol
Whoever put together this list that has been circulated to regional papers, didn't fact check.
Whoever put together this list that has been circulated to regional papers, didn't fact check.
December 25, 2025 at 7:18 PM
I’ve done some catalogue searching and am fairly confident in saying that 5/10 titles in this list do not exist (1, 2, 4, 5 and 7).
Sloppy, unacceptable, and a real kick in the guts to real authors with real books they’d love people to buy and read!
Sloppy, unacceptable, and a real kick in the guts to real authors with real books they’d love people to buy and read!
Reposted by Philip Matthews
The Haeata principal recently found herself in a spectacular war of words with David Seymour over mouldy school lunches. It was not her first fight.
The principal v the politician: Peggy Burrows’ long history of standing her ground
The Haeata principal recently found herself in a spectacular war of words with David Seymour over mouldy school lunches. It was not her first fight.
dlvr.it
December 19, 2025 at 3:10 PM
The Haeata principal recently found herself in a spectacular war of words with David Seymour over mouldy school lunches. It was not her first fight.
Reposted by Philip Matthews
New Zealand grants name suppression far more than an Australian state where court-ordered secrecy is “out of control”. Is the public losing confidence in our courts?
New Zealand: The suppression capital of Oceania
New Zealand grants name suppression far more than an Australian state where court-ordered secrecy is “out of control”. Is the public losing confidence in our courts?
dlvr.it
December 13, 2025 at 3:12 PM
New Zealand grants name suppression far more than an Australian state where court-ordered secrecy is “out of control”. Is the public losing confidence in our courts?
Reposted by Philip Matthews
James Cameron on Avatar: "It doesn’t feel like an animated film ... it exists as some kind of lucid dream-like state in between, which I think is part of the power of the film."
James Cameron calls for stronger rebate system amid Avatar frenzy
As Wellington rolls out its biggest red carpet in years for Avatar: Fire and Ash, director-writer James Cameron is using the moment to issue a challenge: strengthen the screen rebate or risk losing ma...
www.thepost.co.nz
December 12, 2025 at 5:09 AM
James Cameron on Avatar: "It doesn’t feel like an animated film ... it exists as some kind of lucid dream-like state in between, which I think is part of the power of the film."
Reposted by Philip Matthews
She speaks to Laura Hampson about the reality of healthcare in Aotearoa and her optimism for the next generation of GPs.
What 35 years as a GP taught Dr Lucy O’Hagan about care, burnout and being human
She speaks to Laura Hampson about the reality of healthcare in Aotearoa and her optimism for the next generation of GPs.
dlvr.it
December 12, 2025 at 4:15 PM
She speaks to Laura Hampson about the reality of healthcare in Aotearoa and her optimism for the next generation of GPs.
Reposted by Philip Matthews
The official looking signs have been appearing around the city, but the person responsible calls it "well-behaved mischief".
Fake council signs pop up around Christchurch – and the real council is delighted
The official looking signs have been appearing around the city, but the person responsible calls it "well-behaved mischief".
dlvr.it
December 10, 2025 at 3:12 PM
The official looking signs have been appearing around the city, but the person responsible calls it "well-behaved mischief".
Reposted by Philip Matthews
The baby seal made its way up the Heathcote River to Woolston where it was fed fish from a group of boys fishing.
Seal pup spotted ‘hanging out on concrete steps’ in suburban Christchurch
The baby seal made its way up the Heathcote River to Woolston where it was fed fish from a group of boys fishing.
dlvr.it
December 5, 2025 at 5:08 AM
The baby seal made its way up the Heathcote River to Woolston where it was fed fish from a group of boys fishing.
Reposted by Philip Matthews
The 32,000sqm Parakiore is the largest of its kind in New Zealand and is open to the public in less than two weeks.
A peek inside Christchurch’s new $500 million recreation centre
The 32,000sqm Parakiore is the largest of its kind in New Zealand and is open to the public in less than two weeks.
dlvr.it
December 5, 2025 at 6:46 AM
The 32,000sqm Parakiore is the largest of its kind in New Zealand and is open to the public in less than two weeks.
Reposted by Philip Matthews
Ten sports, six venues, 1200 athletes and a worthy cause to get behind for a sneak peek of Parakiore — the National Summer Games is ready to light up the city.
Special Olympics: What you need to know about Christchurch's biggest sporting event in a decade
Ten sports, six venues, 1200 athletes and a worthy cause to get behind for a sneak peek of Parakiore — the National Summer Games is ready to light up the city.
dlvr.it
December 5, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Ten sports, six venues, 1200 athletes and a worthy cause to get behind for a sneak peek of Parakiore — the National Summer Games is ready to light up the city.
Reposted by Philip Matthews
Jett is still belting out rock anthems, but it’s not been an easy ride in a male-dominated industry, she tells Bess Manson.
The rebel force behind Joan Jett’s five decades of rock revolution
Jett is still belting out rock anthems, but it’s not been an easy ride in a male-dominated industry, she tells Bess Manson.
dlvr.it
December 5, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Jett is still belting out rock anthems, but it’s not been an easy ride in a male-dominated industry, she tells Bess Manson.
Act your listening age not your shoe size
December 4, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Act your listening age not your shoe size
Forget the haters and the bogans: Six60 are the perfect choice to open Te Kaha
OPINION: The Dunedin band are perfect for a celebration of us in 2026.
Sorry, but Six60 are the ideal choice for Te Kaha
OPINION: The Dunedin band are perfect for a celebration of us in 2026.
dlvr.it
December 3, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Forget the haters and the bogans: Six60 are the perfect choice to open Te Kaha
Something more positive (in the end) this week, or from TERFs to turf: an art show about the Ngāi Tahu deeds
www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
The Press
www.thepress.co.nz
November 21, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Something more positive (in the end) this week, or from TERFs to turf: an art show about the Ngāi Tahu deeds
www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
What's a movie you can watch over & over again?
2001 and The Shining
All Tarkovsky
Children of Men
All Jonathan Glazer
Vertigo
Apocalypse Now (director's cut not Redux)
Taxi Driver and The Last Temptation of Christ
Most Malick
2001 and The Shining
All Tarkovsky
Children of Men
All Jonathan Glazer
Vertigo
Apocalypse Now (director's cut not Redux)
Taxi Driver and The Last Temptation of Christ
Most Malick
What's a movie you can watch over & over again?
A Knight's Tale
The English Patient
Love, Actually
The Princess Bride
Friends with Benefits
A Room with a View
Atonement
A Knight's Tale
The English Patient
Love, Actually
The Princess Bride
Friends with Benefits
A Room with a View
Atonement
What’s a movie you can watch over and over again?
The Last Waltz
Easy Rider
Love Actually
The Big Chill
Diva
The Last Waltz
Easy Rider
Love Actually
The Big Chill
Diva
November 17, 2025 at 9:54 PM
What's a movie you can watch over & over again?
2001 and The Shining
All Tarkovsky
Children of Men
All Jonathan Glazer
Vertigo
Apocalypse Now (director's cut not Redux)
Taxi Driver and The Last Temptation of Christ
Most Malick
2001 and The Shining
All Tarkovsky
Children of Men
All Jonathan Glazer
Vertigo
Apocalypse Now (director's cut not Redux)
Taxi Driver and The Last Temptation of Christ
Most Malick
Reposted by Philip Matthews
The latest Epstein email rumor is destined to be known as Cockwork orange
November 15, 2025 at 3:44 PM
The latest Epstein email rumor is destined to be known as Cockwork orange
I interviewed Irish gender critical/anti-trans writer Helen Joyce at the end of her NZ and Australian tour www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
Trans critic Helen Joyce: A visitor from Terf Island
On her recent tour of NZ, Irish writer Helen Joyce tells The Press it’s a matter of science. “I don’t think any man has ever become a woman or any woman has ever become a man. Or even can.”
www.thepress.co.nz
November 15, 2025 at 4:52 AM
I interviewed Irish gender critical/anti-trans writer Helen Joyce at the end of her NZ and Australian tour www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
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'.