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.
My short piece on the great Charlie Mitchell's new gig. He's saving journalism.
The Press@thepress.co.nz · 2d agoMitchell intends to use the three-month residency at Canterbury University to explore new ways to tell the important and complex story of Te Waihora Lake Ellesmere.
Brilliant Joe Bennett at the dentist
The Press@thepress.co.nz · 2d agoOPINION: Time was when any old dentist could lay you out.
“You look around and realise there are more of your bodies than the bodies who ruin your lives and you revolt.”
Newsroom NZ@newsroom.co.nz · last wk.Could we call this 'Bring me the head of Sam Altman'? On a political, satirical, experimental sci-fi novel that foretells a future in the war against AI.
ICYMI - this really insightful and appreciative reading today by @secondzeit.bsky.social of @pipadam.bsky.social's new novel, kluge
Martin Shaw@thebooksdesk.bsky.social · last wk.“No one else in New Zealand is writing books like this”. Philip Matthews on kluge newsroom.co.nz/2026/08/13/b...
EDITORIAL: The causes of homelessness are complex and require compassion.
Being homeless on cold streets
EDITORIAL: The causes of homelessness are complex and require compassion.
dlvr.it
What started as a small gathering at the University of Canterbury has led to 40 years of some of New Zealand’s most sceptical minds waging campaigns against those who would use pseudoscience to trick Kiwis out of their money and the truth.
After four decades of NZ Skeptics, the ‘arms race’ for influence has never been harder
What started as a small gathering at the University of Canterbury has led to 40 years of some of New Zealand’s most sceptical minds waging campaigns against those who would use pseudoscience to trick Kiwis out of their money and the truth.
dlvr.it
EDITORIAL: Pegasus residents have every right to be upset.
The residents of Pegasus deserve better
EDITORIAL: Pegasus residents have every right to be upset.
dlvr.it
From the paper on the weekend: I had a look at the posthumous reputation of sexologist and arts patron John Money, who died 20 years ago this month. www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3610...
Pioneer or ‘pervert’: The strange case of John Money
How did a mostly forgotten New Zealand scientist and arts patron become an internet bogeyman?
thepress.co.nz
Documents reveal ministers regularly stayed at high-end hotels while urging restraint across government.
$11,000 bill for luxury London hotel amongst millions in total travel spend by ministers
Documents reveal ministers regularly stayed at high-end hotels while urging restraint across government.
dlvr.it
New polling shows National is well behind Labour on the issue voters say is their top concern - the cost of living.
Post poll: Nats underwater on cost of living
New polling shows National is well behind Labour on the issue voters say is their top concern - the cost of living.
dlvr.it
In a bombshell move, the high profile columnist and business person has been appointed Post editor
Matthew Hooton appointed as editor of The Post
In a bombshell move, the high profile columnist and business person has been appointed Post editor
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"These are not back-office jobs. These are people with deep expertise and genuine relationships in the sector, who work alongside artists and arts organisations every day."
Creative NZ proposes to cut 23 jobs in ‘sweeping’ restructure
Creative NZ is proposing to cut almost a third of its workforce as it looks down the barrel of a $1.3m budget cut and prepares to shift many of its functions to regional partners.
thepost.co.nz
Good metaphor from Danyl in the new Listener. Luxon is "like a gigantic parade balloon with his coalition partners yanking on the ropes".
A Nelson academic has won a top prize at this year’s Ockham New Zealand Book Awards.
Nelson professor recognised at 2026 Ockham NZ Book Awards
A Nelson academic has won a top prize at this year’s Ockham New Zealand Book Awards.
dlvr.it
I was so pleased to be one of the judges that picked this wonderful book. It was a great event: there was humour, emotion, even politics.
Ockham New Zealand Book Awards@ockhamnzbookawards.bsky.social · 3mo agoWhakamihi @tinamakereti.bsky.social winner of the Ockhams General Non-Fiction Award 2026! @thwupbooks.bsky.social #theockhams
Yes. Somewhat remarkable that such folks seem now to be regarded as a fringe group.
Charles Logan@charleswlogan.bsky.social · 3mo agoMe! I am one of those academics and you can be one too!
OPINION: Canterbury’s Anglicans would not have voted to reinstate the Christ Church Cathedral if they were told parish funds would be needed, says the Bishop.
Anglicans do not own ‘a property empire’ says Christchurch bishop
OPINION: Canterbury’s Anglicans would not have voted to reinstate the Christ Church Cathedral if they were told parish funds would be needed, says the Bishop.
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OPINION: “A thing of beauty is a joy for ever: its loveliness increases; it shall never pass into nothingness.” Thus wrote Keats on the subject of my coffee plunger.
A thing of enduring beauty
OPINION: “A thing of beauty is a joy for ever: its loveliness increases; it shall never pass into nothingness.” Thus wrote Keats on the subject of my coffee plunger.
dlvr.it
The most pressing need for young people is face-to-face contact, Youth Hub founder Dr Sue Bagshaw says.
A suicide prevention measure: Christchurch’s Youth Hub
The most pressing need for young people is face-to-face contact, Youth Hub founder Dr Sue Bagshaw says.
dlvr.it
My review of @rubbasoul.bsky.social's oral history of The Clean has just been published on Newsroom. newsroom.co.nz/2026/04/16/b...
Book of the Week: The world's greatest band, 1981-82
The exhilarating, celebrated and tragic story of Dunedin legends The Clean
newsroom.co.nz
OPINION: He’s an old man who lives in fear of being found out.
A black hole of vanity and delusion
OPINION: He’s an old man who lives in fear of being found out.
dlvr.it
