Simon Sweetman
@simonsweetman.bsky.social
Writer @ simonsweetman.substack.com Organiser of “Say The Thing” monthly open mic for poets and prose writers at Underworld Tavern. Collector of movie soundtracks, novelisations, lover of made-for-TV movies. CD and Cassette Tape enthusiast.
Here’s a wee spiel about one of my favourite albums by one of my favourite artists of all time: open.substack.com/pub/simonswe...
There were weird pressures around liking this music growing up. I’m glad that’s all gone these days. How stupid.
There were weird pressures around liking this music growing up. I’m glad that’s all gone these days. How stupid.
TAPE Me Back To The Future — MADE For Tape #71: Cyndi Lauper, "She’s So Unusual" (1983)
An occasional series here that celebrates the cassette-tape format in all its glory. Wobbles and all…
open.substack.com
February 17, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Here’s a wee spiel about one of my favourite albums by one of my favourite artists of all time: open.substack.com/pub/simonswe...
There were weird pressures around liking this music growing up. I’m glad that’s all gone these days. How stupid.
There were weird pressures around liking this music growing up. I’m glad that’s all gone these days. How stupid.
Reposted by Simon Sweetman
Under Trump, the Homeland Security agency responsible for processing visas and green cards has become a site for easy arrests. www.newyorker.com/news/annals-...
How Legal Immigration Became a Deportation Trap
Under Trump, the Homeland Security agency responsible for processing visas and green cards has become a site for easy arrests.
www.newyorker.com
February 17, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Under Trump, the Homeland Security agency responsible for processing visas and green cards has become a site for easy arrests. www.newyorker.com/news/annals-...
Reposted by Simon Sweetman
As per usual, a loud and feral minority hijacking the conversation with misinformation.
Also seeing a disturbing & very familiar pattern of hostility toward Tamatha Paul. Our community must stand behind her. We can’t allow another Māori leader to be worn down and pushed out. #nzpol
Also seeing a disturbing & very familiar pattern of hostility toward Tamatha Paul. Our community must stand behind her. We can’t allow another Māori leader to be worn down and pushed out. #nzpol
“Rooted in racism” Hostility and disinformation overshadow Moa Point public meeting
More than 300 people packed into a public meeting on Monday night to demand answers over the ongoing Moa Point wastewater disaster.
www.teaonews.co.nz
February 17, 2026 at 12:40 AM
As per usual, a loud and feral minority hijacking the conversation with misinformation.
Also seeing a disturbing & very familiar pattern of hostility toward Tamatha Paul. Our community must stand behind her. We can’t allow another Māori leader to be worn down and pushed out. #nzpol
Also seeing a disturbing & very familiar pattern of hostility toward Tamatha Paul. Our community must stand behind her. We can’t allow another Māori leader to be worn down and pushed out. #nzpol
Reposted by Simon Sweetman
A terrifying acceleration.
The number of times a State of Emergency has been declared in 2026, has ALREADY matched the 2025 number.
How long before we’re in a permanent State of Emergency and unable to recover?
Preparing for climate change, AND cutting emissions have to be election issues.
The number of times a State of Emergency has been declared in 2026, has ALREADY matched the 2025 number.
How long before we’re in a permanent State of Emergency and unable to recover?
Preparing for climate change, AND cutting emissions have to be election issues.
Severe weather States of Emergency in 2026 already match last year
Eight severe weather-related states of emergency have already been declared this year, matching the total for all of 2025.
www.1news.co.nz
February 17, 2026 at 5:03 AM
A terrifying acceleration.
The number of times a State of Emergency has been declared in 2026, has ALREADY matched the 2025 number.
How long before we’re in a permanent State of Emergency and unable to recover?
Preparing for climate change, AND cutting emissions have to be election issues.
The number of times a State of Emergency has been declared in 2026, has ALREADY matched the 2025 number.
How long before we’re in a permanent State of Emergency and unable to recover?
Preparing for climate change, AND cutting emissions have to be election issues.
A new short story by me:
Short Story: Caught In The Act of Being Human
Wednesday is about books, and writing. Time to share another short story.
open.substack.com
February 17, 2026 at 4:48 PM
A new short story by me:
Reposted by Simon Sweetman
We're looking forward to sharing this with you on 14 May! Have This Heart by Lawrence Patchett is a compulsively readable story collection about men at work, men trying to do better, and what happens when your life doesn't let you hide. Tightly coiled, tender, and unforgettable.
February 17, 2026 at 2:38 AM
We're looking forward to sharing this with you on 14 May! Have This Heart by Lawrence Patchett is a compulsively readable story collection about men at work, men trying to do better, and what happens when your life doesn't let you hide. Tightly coiled, tender, and unforgettable.
Reposted by Simon Sweetman
With After Hours now streaming on Netflix (US), revisit our interview with producers Griffin Dunne and Amy Robinson, who open up to Mitchell Beaupre about the enduring anxieties of Scorsese’s 1985 classic. ⏰
Read more on Journal: https://boxd.it/1Ce
Read more on Journal: https://boxd.it/1Ce
February 17, 2026 at 2:59 AM
With After Hours now streaming on Netflix (US), revisit our interview with producers Griffin Dunne and Amy Robinson, who open up to Mitchell Beaupre about the enduring anxieties of Scorsese’s 1985 classic. ⏰
Read more on Journal: https://boxd.it/1Ce
Read more on Journal: https://boxd.it/1Ce
Reposted by Simon Sweetman
Kate Camp's book launch is at Meow bar, Wellington in 90 minutes! And the rain has stopped for us :)
See you soon, and you can warm up for the event with this great Nine to Noon interview with Kate from this morning...
www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...
See you soon, and you can warm up for the event with this great Nine to Noon interview with Kate from this morning...
www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...
Kate Camp and her 1986 diary
The year was 1986 - a time defined by Ghostbusters on VHS, the height of Jazzercise tights, and the only year that acclaimed Wellington poet and author Kate Camp kept a diary.
www.rnz.co.nz
February 17, 2026 at 3:22 AM
Kate Camp's book launch is at Meow bar, Wellington in 90 minutes! And the rain has stopped for us :)
See you soon, and you can warm up for the event with this great Nine to Noon interview with Kate from this morning...
www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...
See you soon, and you can warm up for the event with this great Nine to Noon interview with Kate from this morning...
www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...
Here’s a great new ambient album with lashings of jazz guitar. Recommended: open.substack.com/pub/simonswe...
Sheldon Agwu: Kintsugi
An album review of the 2025 release by ambient/jazz guitarist Sheldon Agwu
open.substack.com
February 16, 2026 at 11:28 PM
Here’s a great new ambient album with lashings of jazz guitar. Recommended: open.substack.com/pub/simonswe...
New poem evoking Warren Zevon:
simonsweetman.substack.com/p/poem-under...
I was sitting in my room one night.
I was staring at the ashtray’s heart.
I was filling it with the flakes of my art.
And I had Warren on the stereo singing
‘bout mystics and statistics, singing
songs I wished I wrote…
simonsweetman.substack.com/p/poem-under...
I was sitting in my room one night.
I was staring at the ashtray’s heart.
I was filling it with the flakes of my art.
And I had Warren on the stereo singing
‘bout mystics and statistics, singing
songs I wished I wrote…
Poem: Under Eaves
A poem about making it through. And having someone there with you.
simonsweetman.substack.com
February 16, 2026 at 9:23 PM
New poem evoking Warren Zevon:
simonsweetman.substack.com/p/poem-under...
I was sitting in my room one night.
I was staring at the ashtray’s heart.
I was filling it with the flakes of my art.
And I had Warren on the stereo singing
‘bout mystics and statistics, singing
songs I wished I wrote…
simonsweetman.substack.com/p/poem-under...
I was sitting in my room one night.
I was staring at the ashtray’s heart.
I was filling it with the flakes of my art.
And I had Warren on the stereo singing
‘bout mystics and statistics, singing
songs I wished I wrote…
Reposted by Simon Sweetman
The stand out part of Luxon's tenure as PM has been his total and utter inability to think fast, react quickly, and behave appropriately.
He's lunkish and dozy, without a single bit of initiative.
He's lunkish and dozy, without a single bit of initiative.
Posts with minutes of each other...
Unaware.
Out of touch.
Abject failure.
Unaware.
Out of touch.
Abject failure.
February 15, 2026 at 7:29 PM
The stand out part of Luxon's tenure as PM has been his total and utter inability to think fast, react quickly, and behave appropriately.
He's lunkish and dozy, without a single bit of initiative.
He's lunkish and dozy, without a single bit of initiative.
A late plug for Wellington Film Society:
Film Society — 2026
Monday is about movies, and sometimes TV. Today, a plug for the Wellington Film Society. W00T!
open.substack.com
February 15, 2026 at 5:31 PM
A late plug for Wellington Film Society:
Sunday essay about books and shelving and hoarding and moving them on: open.substack.com/pub/simonswe...
Also a thank you to my folks for enabling!
Also a thank you to my folks for enabling!
Shelf Life
A Sunday essay about books, and moving things on, and a big vote of thanks to my parents.
open.substack.com
February 14, 2026 at 8:43 PM
Sunday essay about books and shelving and hoarding and moving them on: open.substack.com/pub/simonswe...
Also a thank you to my folks for enabling!
Also a thank you to my folks for enabling!
Not my favourite Metallica album, but my favourite on tape:
TAPE Me Back To The Future — MADE For Tape #70: Metallica, "…And Justice For All" (1988)
An occasional series here that celebrates the cassette-tape format in all its glory. Wobbles and all…
open.substack.com
February 14, 2026 at 7:39 AM
Not my favourite Metallica album, but my favourite on tape:
Reposted by Simon Sweetman
Jenny Bornholdt and Bill Manhire at number 1 and 2 on Unity Wellington’s bestseller list this week, followed by MA grad Eva Wyles, and only then George Saunders!
The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending February 13
The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending February 13
Two brilliant new poetry collections hit the Wellington charts this week....
thespinoff.co.nz
February 13, 2026 at 4:05 AM
Jenny Bornholdt and Bill Manhire at number 1 and 2 on Unity Wellington’s bestseller list this week, followed by MA grad Eva Wyles, and only then George Saunders!
Here’s a story about Megadeth, and interviewing, and Music PR. Mostly, it’s about Music PR. With lols attached. And a weekend playlist that’s great!
Mega-Stress!
Friday is fun because it’s about music, so links and playlists. Today, a weird, hopefully funny little tale about the weirdness of music PR and the desperation of it too.
simonsweetman.substack.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:34 PM
Here’s a story about Megadeth, and interviewing, and Music PR. Mostly, it’s about Music PR. With lols attached. And a weekend playlist that’s great!
I gave a reading and talked about poetry and writing and my connection to Hawke’s Bay, and you can listen to it here. It was actually super emotional to be in the Havelock North Public Library to do this event. My parents there watching. I first went to this place when I was 4 years old. Great space
Poetry Reading: Havelock North Public Library (February 12, 2026)
Here is a recording of my portion of a very cool literary event in Havelock North.
simonsweetman.substack.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:37 AM
I gave a reading and talked about poetry and writing and my connection to Hawke’s Bay, and you can listen to it here. It was actually super emotional to be in the Havelock North Public Library to do this event. My parents there watching. I first went to this place when I was 4 years old. Great space
A wee thing about being on the Substack platform for five years: simonsweetman.substack.com/p/five-years...
Five Years, What A Surprise!
Wednesday is about books, and reading. And writing. Today, a milestone in the life of this Substack newsletter. Thank you for being here!
simonsweetman.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 7:13 PM
A wee thing about being on the Substack platform for five years: simonsweetman.substack.com/p/five-years...
Got back on the wireless and had a chat about Peter Gabriel’s “So” album. Was fun: www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...
Music feature: Peter Gabriel's "So"
It's time for our Tuesday Music feature and today we're celebrating the 40th anniversary of Peter Gabriel's seminal 1986 album, 'So'. After leaving his band Genesis, Peter Gabriel struggled to truly c...
www.rnz.co.nz
February 10, 2026 at 3:34 AM
Got back on the wireless and had a chat about Peter Gabriel’s “So” album. Was fun: www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...
Reposted by Simon Sweetman
At Home With Brian Eno And His Bare Floorboards, Synthesiser And Electric Larynx in DISC August 18, 1973 #interview www.moredarkthanshark.org/eno_int_disc...
February 5, 2026 at 6:34 AM
At Home With Brian Eno And His Bare Floorboards, Synthesiser And Electric Larynx in DISC August 18, 1973 #interview www.moredarkthanshark.org/eno_int_disc...
Reposted by Simon Sweetman
Live updates from Waitangi: Protest planned as politicians set to be welcomed
Live updates from Waitangi: Protest planned as politicians set to be welcomed
All the news from Waitangi as it happens....
thespinoff.co.nz
February 4, 2026 at 10:15 PM
Live updates from Waitangi: Protest planned as politicians set to be welcomed
Reposted by Simon Sweetman
How bizarre: Epstein offered to fund a proposed book by Brian Boyd on Lolita newsroom.co.nz/2026/02/01/a...
Auckland professor associated with Jeffrey Epstein
Justice Department files on Jeffrey Epstein reveal meetings with an Auckland professor who remarked on Epstein's 'bevy of beauties'
newsroom.co.nz
February 1, 2026 at 8:39 AM
How bizarre: Epstein offered to fund a proposed book by Brian Boyd on Lolita newsroom.co.nz/2026/02/01/a...
open.substack.com/pub/simonswe...
Sunday essay about drinking and sobriety:
Sunday essay about drinking and sobriety:
Cutting
A Sunday essay about drinking and sobriety
open.substack.com
January 31, 2026 at 10:55 PM
open.substack.com/pub/simonswe...
Sunday essay about drinking and sobriety:
Sunday essay about drinking and sobriety:
Reposted by Simon Sweetman
At every single stage of my life there has been a movie or show suited for my age group in which Catherine O’Hara was a standout player. This just sucks, man.
January 30, 2026 at 6:45 PM
At every single stage of my life there has been a movie or show suited for my age group in which Catherine O’Hara was a standout player. This just sucks, man.
Invited back to review comedy - like falling off a horse eh. Possibly won’t be welcomed back again after this? open.substack.com/pub/simonswe...
Written in real time as the show happened and posted immediately after, which was a bit of fun…for me at least.
Written in real time as the show happened and posted immediately after, which was a bit of fun…for me at least.
Gig Review: Weekend Laughs at the Fringe Bar (Friday, Jan 30, 2026)
Sometimes I review comedy. When they let me. This was a fun show to be at.
open.substack.com
January 31, 2026 at 3:40 AM
Invited back to review comedy - like falling off a horse eh. Possibly won’t be welcomed back again after this? open.substack.com/pub/simonswe...
Written in real time as the show happened and posted immediately after, which was a bit of fun…for me at least.
Written in real time as the show happened and posted immediately after, which was a bit of fun…for me at least.