Simon Bennett
@pookina1.bsky.social
I make TV, theatre and Film. Showrunner, Producer and Director, based in Auckland, New Zealand. Love photography, Kubrick, Prince, Wilco, Pink Floyd, Sondheim, Shakespeare and Iain M Banks.
podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/b...
In which I chat with Jamie about some of the screen projects I’ve been privileged to have worked on.
In which I chat with Jamie about some of the screen projects I’ve been privileged to have worked on.
From Shortland Street to Outrageous Fortune - An Inside Look At NZ Drama with Simon Bennett
Podcast Episode · Beyond Broadcast · 13/11/2025 · 2h 7m
podcasts.apple.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:23 AM
podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/b...
In which I chat with Jamie about some of the screen projects I’ve been privileged to have worked on.
In which I chat with Jamie about some of the screen projects I’ve been privileged to have worked on.
Don’t often do this, but Pernille on Netflix is wonderful viewing. Funny and sad I turns, it’s a slice of life drama that feels so authentic it hurts. Best watched in Norwegian with subtitles if you want to experience the fantastic performances to their fullest.
November 10, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Don’t often do this, but Pernille on Netflix is wonderful viewing. Funny and sad I turns, it’s a slice of life drama that feels so authentic it hurts. Best watched in Norwegian with subtitles if you want to experience the fantastic performances to their fullest.
It may be just me, but the new Lily Allen album feels embarrassing - too much information. Seriously, when would you put this music on to listen to?
October 24, 2025 at 11:22 PM
It may be just me, but the new Lily Allen album feels embarrassing - too much information. Seriously, when would you put this music on to listen to?
Reposted by Simon Bennett
The Ridge review – this hugely layered thriller is just masterly
The Ridge review – this hugely layered thriller is just masterly
Lauren Lyle is absolutely magnificent as an anaesthetist who flies to New Zealand for the wedding of her younger sister – only to find her dead. It’s an achingly real watch that’s bitterly funny at times
www.theguardian.com
October 24, 2025 at 6:10 AM
The Ridge review – this hugely layered thriller is just masterly
It’s beautifully made.
Congratulations to Libertine Pictures & David Stubbs & all the folk nominated in the NZ Screen Awards for Secrets at Red Rocks! If you haven’t watched it yet, please do — It captures the spirit of my novel and the wild south coast of Wellington beautifully. Well deserved all round.
October 19, 2025 at 10:29 PM
It’s beautifully made.
Directing My Life is Murder for Greenstone Pictures. Photo credit Renaud Maire.
I’m available for directing work, stage and screen, as well as screen producing and development work. 36 years’ experience. Various awards etc. Please DM if I can help realise your project.
I’m available for directing work, stage and screen, as well as screen producing and development work. 36 years’ experience. Various awards etc. Please DM if I can help realise your project.
October 16, 2025 at 5:32 AM
Directing My Life is Murder for Greenstone Pictures. Photo credit Renaud Maire.
I’m available for directing work, stage and screen, as well as screen producing and development work. 36 years’ experience. Various awards etc. Please DM if I can help realise your project.
I’m available for directing work, stage and screen, as well as screen producing and development work. 36 years’ experience. Various awards etc. Please DM if I can help realise your project.
Lord Zedd has been languishing in our storage unit because apparently he doesn’t suit the decor. Now looking for a new home. He’s on Trademe if anyone’s interested in this monstrosity.
October 2, 2025 at 5:29 AM
Lord Zedd has been languishing in our storage unit because apparently he doesn’t suit the decor. Now looking for a new home. He’s on Trademe if anyone’s interested in this monstrosity.
David Gilmour at the Circus Maximus concert film was excellent. What splendid musicians. What a blast.
September 17, 2025 at 11:43 AM
David Gilmour at the Circus Maximus concert film was excellent. What splendid musicians. What a blast.
In a pub. In Whakatane. Watching the rugby. Weird.
September 13, 2025 at 8:42 AM
In a pub. In Whakatane. Watching the rugby. Weird.
This is the daughter’s cat: Jones. Posting because the world is such an evil mess, we need more cat photos.
September 4, 2025 at 11:00 PM
This is the daughter’s cat: Jones. Posting because the world is such an evil mess, we need more cat photos.
With John and Nalini at Weta Workshop. Happy times.
August 26, 2025 at 6:31 AM
With John and Nalini at Weta Workshop. Happy times.
Reposted by Simon Bennett
Counterpoint: This is mad confusing because it is garbage made with AI and few of the birds look much like the birds they look like. Here’s a thought: instead of sharing this, maybe share art made by a human? One who needs it for their livelihood? www.tworuru.com/product/aote...
August 18, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Counterpoint: This is mad confusing because it is garbage made with AI and few of the birds look much like the birds they look like. Here’s a thought: instead of sharing this, maybe share art made by a human? One who needs it for their livelihood? www.tworuru.com/product/aote...
Reposted by Simon Bennett
Brian Eno: "The early part of this century has seen people realize that neoliberal economics have failed. It has been a machine for concentrating wealth, just as the internet has become a machine for concentrating prejudice..." #interview www.flaunt.com/blog/people-...
August 4, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Brian Eno: "The early part of this century has seen people realize that neoliberal economics have failed. It has been a machine for concentrating wealth, just as the internet has become a machine for concentrating prejudice..." #interview www.flaunt.com/blog/people-...
Great moment at the Civic premiere of ‘Prime Minister’ last night. During the section dealing with the aftermath of the Christchurch Mosque atrocity, a shot came up of David Seymour, the only naysaying MP to the banning of military-style semi-automatic weapons. 2400 people booed.
August 3, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Great moment at the Civic premiere of ‘Prime Minister’ last night. During the section dealing with the aftermath of the Christchurch Mosque atrocity, a shot came up of David Seymour, the only naysaying MP to the banning of military-style semi-automatic weapons. 2400 people booed.
Just saw ‘Prime Minister’ at The Civic. Wow! So moving and well-made. I predict it’s going to be hugely successful.
August 2, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Just saw ‘Prime Minister’ at The Civic. Wow! So moving and well-made. I predict it’s going to be hugely successful.
Reposted by Simon Bennett
Trans people belong in whatever goddamn bathroom they like, they deserve to do whatever goddamn sport gives them joy, they need healthcare and support and basic fucking dignity, they are being made a target to create division in our communities, and we're not fucking letting it happen, Aotearoa.
July 23, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Trans people belong in whatever goddamn bathroom they like, they deserve to do whatever goddamn sport gives them joy, they need healthcare and support and basic fucking dignity, they are being made a target to create division in our communities, and we're not fucking letting it happen, Aotearoa.
Reposted by Simon Bennett
This!!
💯 THIS!
💯 THIS!
“Health NZ (HNZ) has reduced its deficit by hundreds of millions of dollars…”
Underfunding. Is. Not. A. Deficit.
#nzpol
Underfunding. Is. Not. A. Deficit.
#nzpol
July 22, 2025 at 5:19 AM
This!!
💯 THIS!
💯 THIS!
Sad to learn that Colbert has been axed. Compulsory viewing in this NZ household. I expect someone else will pick him up and he'll continue to go from strength to strength.
July 18, 2025 at 2:27 AM
Sad to learn that Colbert has been axed. Compulsory viewing in this NZ household. I expect someone else will pick him up and he'll continue to go from strength to strength.
My parents were mime artists, but I’m okay now.
July 16, 2025 at 6:18 AM
My parents were mime artists, but I’m okay now.
Reposted by Simon Bennett
Classic that the one time Luxon stands up to Seymour he's almost certainly doing it because Peters told him to. www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
Christopher Luxon tells off David Seymour over letter to United Nations
"I've just made it clear that I expect Winston Peters to be the person that engages with the UN," the prime minister told reporters.
www.rnz.co.nz
July 15, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Classic that the one time Luxon stands up to Seymour he's almost certainly doing it because Peters told him to. www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
Very proud to have spent five years directing this show.
The birth of the Wests: How Outrageous Fortune came to be
The birth of the Wests: How Outrageous Fortune came to be
Twenty years ago this week, New Zealand television’s most famous family stormed onto our screens....
thespinoff.co.nz
July 6, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Very proud to have spent five years directing this show.
Reposted by Simon Bennett
‘Passing Regulatory Standards Bill will exact high political price’
newsroom.co.nz/2025/07/02/g...
newsroom.co.nz/2025/07/02/g...
'Passing Regulatory Standards Bill will exact high political price'
Former Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer analyses what's wrong with the Bill and whether we've reached a new low in NZ political life.
newsroom.co.nz
July 2, 2025 at 7:04 PM
‘Passing Regulatory Standards Bill will exact high political price’
newsroom.co.nz/2025/07/02/g...
newsroom.co.nz/2025/07/02/g...
Reposted by Simon Bennett
I’ve written a letter of complaint to the PM regarding Seymour's behaviour. We’ve witnessed him target academics who act as our critic and conscience, and attack public servants for simply doing their job. This is unacceptable.
June 23, 2025 at 2:48 AM
I’ve written a letter of complaint to the PM regarding Seymour's behaviour. We’ve witnessed him target academics who act as our critic and conscience, and attack public servants for simply doing their job. This is unacceptable.
Appalling behaviour from the Deputy Prime Minister.
In the comments, Dame Anne says "You can make a complaint to the Cabinet Office at cabinetoffice@dpmc.govt.nz ; and I’d encourage you to do so. In my view, this matter bears on the freedom of speech for all New Zealanders, and their freedom from direct personal intimidation by politicians."
A must read, Aotearoa New Zealand: "In many ways, the campaign launched and fronted by the Deputy Prime Minister is lame, even laughable. At the same time, it is an abuse of high office. "
#kiwi
#newzealand
#kiwi
#newzealand
June 23, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Appalling behaviour from the Deputy Prime Minister.
It’s just struck me that getting yourself elected involves a very different skill set to developing policy and making decisions in the best interests of the people of a country.
June 19, 2025 at 7:23 AM
It’s just struck me that getting yourself elected involves a very different skill set to developing policy and making decisions in the best interests of the people of a country.