A Voice Ltd trading as Phil Darkins

05/02/2026

On this auspicious day, Waitangi Day, I'm sharing this version of our national anthem, Aotearoa / E Ihowā Atua / God Defend New Zealand.
This recording was made because well known Kiwi vocalist Frankie Stevens withdrew from singing for the then Governor General, Anand Satyanand. Shona, a friend of Natalie's, was working for Government House at that time. She was dining with us when she told us of Frankie's withdrawal. Nat immediately said, "Phil can do it for you!", as only Nat would. 😉
I was asked for a demo so that the Guv's wife could approve/reject our offer. She accepted. So, some weeks later, Nat & I went to Governemnt House Auckland where the anthem was delivered at John Key's first official engagement as Prime Minister.
This recording is the demo we sent. It was arranged & produced by Phil Hornblow of Vision Studios. I reckon he did an awesome job, which is always par for his course.

Arranged & produced by Phil Hornblow of Vision Studios

18/12/2025

A recent voiceover project involved voicing the Fi****ms Safety Code as audio support for people using the Fi****ms Safety Code Digital FlipBook, which is hosted by the Game Animal Council of New Zealand.
The audio tracks support the comprehension of each and every page of the flipbook, which assist students and other interested parties in successfully digesting the information offered.

My thanks go to Te Tari Pūreke Fi****ms Safety Authority for placing their trust in me to deliver this extremely important audio resource, and Matrix Digital for recommending me, and the super-efficient recording and editing of the final product; Quite a mission! Job done!

I'm proud to have been involved in this essential fi****ms safety initiative.

Return to Te Tari Pūreke – Fi****ms Safety Authority website View and listen to the digital audio flipbook version of the Firearm Safety Code, produced by the Fi****ms Safety Authority.

16/11/2025

The second in a series of songs I've sung all my life, it seems; Most of it anyway.
I had never 'properly recorded' a version of Michael Martin Murphy's, The Boy From the Country, made famous by John Denver.
I hope you enjoy my version of one of my favourite songs...

Thank you Matrix Digital.

By Michael Martin Murphy about St. Francis of Assisi

16/11/2025

I've embarked on a personal project of recording pared-down versions of songs that I've sung all my life without ever 'properly' making a record of my versions.
Here's my version of Don McLean's Empty Chairs, which I've been singing for over fifty years.
Hope you like it...

Thank you Matrix Digital.

My cover of the Don McLean classic, which I've been singing since 1971. Vocals: Phil Darkins Ovation Custom Legend stereo pickup acoustic, and Takemine acoustic with pickup

05/06/2025

I've lent my voice to heavy metal. Well, metal recyclers actually. Just waiting on the piece to go live in the market before revealing precisely which outfit it is. Watch this space.

14/05/2025

Just completed voicing the NZ Police's Fi****ms Safety Code audiobook, a fundamental guide for the safe use of fi****ms.

Thanks to Phill Adams at Matrix Digital for recommending me.

I've never owned a real firearm but I've handled a few replicas and even fired the odd blank on set.
I got my licence when I was 15, only because my uncle, who was a deerstalker, insisted that I needed it. It lapsed pretty quickly however and I never did use it.
Oddly, I'm a pretty good shot with both rifles and handguns, as evidenced by occasional supervised target shooting at gun clubs over the years.

The safety code is full of essential info for anyone using fi****ms, so I'm proud to be a part of providing advice and education in that realm. Annually, there are far too many silly accidents maiming and killing folks who just don't take this stuff seriously enough.

The number one rule is pretty straight forward: If in any doubt, don't shoot!

16/07/2023

This is the union that drove support for Equity NZ, during the Hobbit fiasco, and remains supportive of NZ's professional performers. We need to stand in solidarity with SAG-AFTRA, as they did for us.

18/11/2021

We recently had the honour of putting Liverton Security CE, Richard Bourne, through a wide range of challenging scenarios as part of our Executive Media Training offer. And the result? Looking smart, sounding in command, and feeling confident under pressure. Job Done! Thanks Richard and thanks also Phill Adams for the sound stage, mikes and lighting at Matrix Digital and Xavier Quilambaqui for thoroughly professional camera expertise from Big World Zoo

Congratulations! You've come to the right place for Phil Darkins® The new website is coming. In the meantime, if you need expertise in the areas of Voice, Marketing Communications or Events, you can reach Phil Darkins® at [email protected] or 027 2273838. International callers use 64272273838. Ph...