This month on Point of View, host Tom Augustine sits down with Diana Wichtel—acclaimed journalist, author, and beloved cultural commentator. For 36 years, Diana’s sharp wit and moving prose illuminated the pages of the Listener, earning her a place as one of New Zealand’s most distinctive voices.
She is the author of the award-winning memoir Driving to Treblinka: A Long Search for a Lost Father, which won the Ockham New Zealand Book Award, and her latest collection Unreel, a rich and witty anthology of her finest television writing.
In this episode, Diana reflects on her storied career, the experience of being on the other side of the interview, and why television once felt like magic.
Diana will appear on Friday 16 May 2025 to discuss Unreel: A Life in Review as part of the Writers Festival 2025 programme.
Explore the full lineup: writersfestival.co.nz/programmes/main-programme
What to Expect
- Diana Wichtel’s journey as a cultural critic
- Highlights from Driving to Treblinka and Unreel
- A look back at New Zealand’s media landscape
- A sneak peek of her appearance at Writers Festival 2025
Best of Streaming Coming Out
- Another Simple Favour – Prime Video (from 1 May)
- The Four Seasons – Netflix (from 1 May)
- Overcompensating: Season One – Prime Video (from 15 May)
- The Reserve: Limited Series – Netflix (from 15 May)
- Nine Perfect Strangers: Season 2 – Prime Video (from 22 May)
- Fear Street: Prom Queen – Netflix (from 23 May)
- Fountain of Youth – AppleTV+ (from 23 May)
- Bono: Stories of Surrender – AppleTV+ (from 30 May)
- Andor – Still streaming on Disney+ (Premiered in April)
View on Screen in May
- Thunderbolts – 1 May
- Bob Trevino Likes It – 1 May
- Marlon Williams: Nga Ao E Rua – Two Worlds – 1 May
- The Wedding Banquet – 8 May
- Clown In A Cornfield – 8 May
- Tall Tales – 8 May
- Forgive Us All – 8 May
- Final Destination: Bloodlines – 15 May
- Hurry Up Tomorrow – 15 May
- The Salt Path – 15 May
- Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning – 22 May
- Lilo & Stitch – 22 May
- CCFC Presents: Orson Welles' The Trial – 28 May
- When Fall Is Coming – 28 May
- The Phoenician Scheme – 29 May
- Bring Her Back – 29 May
- Karate Kid Legends – 29 May
View Box: Musical Notes on Rialto Channel
Every Thursday in May at 8:30 PM
- Welcome to the Darkness – Premieres Thursday, 1 May
- Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Pallenberg – Premieres Thursday, 8 May
- Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus – Premieres Thursday, 15 May
- Mozart's Sister – Premieres Thursday, 22 May
- Mutiny In Heaven: The Birthday Party – Premieres Thursday, 22 May
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