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Phil O'Brien
A Wellingtonian born and bred; Phil has had a broad career in radio across 50 years.
He joined RNZ about 25 years ago, and started the Matinee Idle more than 20 years ago. The programme was intended to be an on-off programme filler one summer, and is still going strong, with Phil and Simon Morris taking over RNZ National during holiday times year-round.
Phil also hosts Saturday Night Requests, a programme that has a very dedicated audience, including NZ expats living overseas.
“I get to play music for people who love music. Is there a better job than that? I don't think so.”
Phil describes himself a petrol-head from way back, and like much of the music he plays on the radio, he’s a collector of 20th century technology – CDs and DVDs.
RNZ Programmes
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Matinee Idle
Phil O'Brien and Simon Morris present an afternoon of music and entertainment.
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Saturday Night
Your requests, nostalgia and musical memories.
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Sunday Night
An evening of nostalgia with your host Phil O'Brien
More National Presenters
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Davina Zimmer
Station: National
Programme: The Detail
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Susie Ferguson
Station: National
Programme: Saturday Morning
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Perlina Lau
Station: National
Programme: Culture 101
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Sarah Bradley
Station: National
Programme: News
Search results for Phil O'Brien
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End of the news as we know it?
This week our two biggest TV broadcasters confirmed plans to cut news programmes by midyear - and the jobs of a significant proportion of this country’s journalists. Many observers said this had been… Audio
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Political post-mortems - and lessons from the past
Has the media focus on political failings become just too intense? A new book lifting the lid on the National Party in opposition has revealed more about the struggles, scandals and scraps that… Video, Audio
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Sam Neill: 'A little optimism at the end of a rather dark tunnel'
29 Nov 2020To say Sam Neill has had a busy year is putting it mildly. He opened 2020 playing Phil O'Brien as guest star on Matinee Idle. After that, he shot off to the UK as a rather better paid guest star on… Audio
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Fast food frenzy a genuine story if overcooked in parts
Some people couldn’t wait to get a fast-food feed ASAP after the level 3 switch - and the media copped criticism for wall-to-wall on-the-spot coverage of the frenzy. But reporters went beyond the… Audio
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Tim O'Brien
7 Jan 2020Double Grammy winning musician Tim O'Brien speaks to the Matinee Idle team ahead of his visit to New Zealand. He is set to headline the 47th Auckland Folk Festival at the Kumeu Showgrounds 24-27… Audio
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The End of Life Choice Debate: in pictures
13 Nov 2019The third reading debate of the End of Life Choice Bill made for a busy, emotional day at Parliament. For The House Phil Smith caught the action in photos.
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Aussie wastewater analysis shows stark divide
21 Oct 2019If you've ever felt a bit stink about your own job, spare a thought for a pair of dedicated researchers at the University of Queensland Audio
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Predator priest from NZ continued to offend in Britain
23 Oct 2018A predator priest sent from New Zealand to Britain was free to keep preying on children for two more decades because of failings by the Catholic Church. Last month RNZ revealed the crimes, including… Audio
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Abuser priest should not have been thanked - Bishop
19 Sep 2018The Catholic Bishop of Christchurch says his diocese should not have given thanks to God for a child molester. Bishop Paul Martin has released a file on the predator priest Cornelius O'Brien to one of… Audio
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Canterbury Catholic diocese accused of enabling abusive priest
17 Sep 2018Two Canterbury men are accusing the Catholic church of enabling a priest to carry out a string of child sex attacks across the South Island. Documents show the church knew Father Cornelius O'Brien had… Audio
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'The Church should open up their books' - abuse survivor
17 Sep 2018Documents show the Catholic church publicly thanked a priest for his service, despite knowing he was a serial predator of young boys. A church investigator's report from 2017 says Father Cornelius… Audio
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Echoes of the past in NZ fake news first
Judith Collins has been condemned for endorsing fake news about France concerning the abuse of children. Critics claim it’s the first time a local MP has knowingly spread a story online that's made… Audio
