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Ethan Manera

@ethanmanera.bsky.social
64 followers 34 following 71 posts

New Zealand Herald Wellington Journalist ethan.manera@nzme.co.nz

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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Ray Chung has been spotted holding a meeting with the Russian ambassador. Asked by the Herald if he considered recent NZSIS advice beforehand, he said: "Oh s*** … I should have thought of that". He said he meets with and helps anyone who contacts him. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
Ray Chung seeks security advice after meeting with Russian ambassador
The councillor said he didn't consider the security risks, despite a recent NZSIS briefing
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
I looked into Stop Tiaki Wai, and the activists behind it linked to a controversial local campaign and movements on the political fringes. Guy Nunns claims the entity is run by “elites”, has disputed his conspiracy links, and announced he’s running for council. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
‘Not particularly a conspiracy theorist’: Inside Wellington’s water charges revolt
Stop Tiaki Wai is linked to a controversial election campaign, and other fringe movements.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Greg O’Connor says he’s more likely than not going to run in the upcoming WCC by-election, but hasn’t confirmed it yet “out of respect for Tony”. He’d probably run as an independent, but insists he has no bad blood with Labour, and Little has offered his support. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
Labour MP O'Connor eyes independent run at vacant Wellington Council seat
Andrew Little has given his public support, saying O'Connor would be 'great' on council.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Revealed: Paul Eagle's $100k payout after resigning in disgrace for excessive spending. After being told he received "no payout", I wrote to the Ombudsman, leading to revelations he received ratepayer funds towards his legal fees and moving costs. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
Revealed: Paul Eagle's $100k payout after leaving Chathams CEO job in disgrace
The council originally said there was no payout – until the Ombudsman got involved.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Tiaki Wai isn’t defending itself from an attack from the PM, who slammed its "abysmal management" at a public meeting last night. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
'Abysmal management': Luxon attacks Wellington water entity, Little hits back
The organisation, which launched less than two months ago, did not respond to the claims.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
NZ Police are refusing to answer questions about their involvement in spying on a left-wing activist when she visited Auckland on a family holiday in 2002. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
NZ Police spied on left-wing British activist during family holiday
A public inquiry has revealed how NZ officers were embroiled in the UK spy cops scandal.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
New details of NZer Brice Gordon’s involvement in Jeffrey Epstein’s affairs: It has emerged Gordon hired masseuses for the sex offender. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
NZ man arranged masseuses for Epstein, US probe reveals
Brice Gordon and his partner, Karen managed Epstein’s properties for years.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Graham Bloxham has been ordered to publicly apologise and has been referred to police after a judge ruled a series of posts about Justin Lester breached the Harmful Digital Communications Act. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
Ex-mayor wins court case against Wellington personality over 'unhinged' online posts
The social media identity repeatedly called Justin Lester a 'molester' online.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
National’s Wellington Bays candidate says his party is delivering on its election promise to start building a second Mt Vic tunnel in its first term - just two weeks after the Govt confirmed there were no plans for construction for at least a decade. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
National candidate accused of 'very misleading' claim over broken tunnel promise
The party pledged to start construction on a Mt Victoria tunnel this term.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Winston Peters privately asked KiwiRail to investigate acquiring an additional Interislander ferry to bolster the strained Cook Strait service, less than two weeks after publicly insisting "it would not make sense" to do so. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
Peters privately explored new Interislander ferry after saying one 'would not make sense'
A letter shows he asked officials to look into buying or chartering a third ferry.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Ray Chung told the NZSIS he was questioned by Chinese Embassy officials after attending a controversial anti-Communist Party dance performance. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
Councillor tells spy agency Chinese Embassy questioned him after going to anti-CCP show
Sources say the matter 'raised eyebrows' in a in NZSIS briefing.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
New Wellington water bills land next month - see how much you’ll pay with Tiaki Wai calculator: www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
Wellington water bills coming, how much will you be paying?
Reaching $6200 in a decade, the charges have been labelled "unaffordable and excessive".
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Airport execs signed NDAs and received briefings, while local elected representatives say they’ve been given limited and unsatisfactory info about Wellington’s controversial multi-billion $ tunnels project. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
'Preferential treatment': Airport gets secret meetings on Wellington mega roading project, MPs kept in the dark
Documents show airport execs signed NDAs for information as politicians were kept waiting.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
I chronicled the demise of one of the capital's most hotly debated transport projects, have a read of my Golden Mile postmortem report. Analysis: $26m spent and a decade of work: How Wellington's Golden Mile failed www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
$26m spent and a decade of work: How Wellington's Golden Mile failed
Only one intersection has seen improvements, which now need to be undone.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
A long-touted upgrade project that could have prevented Wellington’s train crash stalled in February after KiwiRail ceased procurement efforts due to a lack of funding. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
Upgrade that could have prevented Wellington train crash stalled due to cost
Funding constraints mean progress on the long-touted project stalled in February.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
The Herald can reveal Ray Chung’s chairmanship resignation follows Little starting a code of conduct process against him - after police raised concerns over his conduct toward an officer. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
Under-fire councillor hires lawyer after police concerns over conduct toward officer
The Herald can reveal Ray Chung resigned as chair after Little started a conduct process.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Ray Chung has resigned as chair of the CCO review subcommittee. The Herald understands it relates to a probe into his alleged conduct during the recent state of emergency, which saw Police raise concerns with the mayor. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
Ray Chung steps down from council chair role after police concerns raised with mayor
Andrew Little said he had been contacted by a senior police officer about Chung’s conduct.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
Opinion: Little right to hit back as soaring water charges threaten Wellington’s recovery. My take on this week’s revelations of confronting water charges, and the surprising political fallout that followed. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
Little right to hit back as soaring water charges threaten Wellington's recovery
OPINION: Amid looming water shock, the minister aimed at the wrong target.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
Former Labour MP and failed mayoral candidate Paul Eagle misled an official investigation into his "excessive" spending as Chatham Islands Council CEO by creating his own financial records, the Auditor General says. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
Watchdog finds ex-MP misled probe into his council role, 'excessive' spending on house reno
An investigation found the ex-council CEO made misleading docs. He said he 'panicked'.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
Winston Peters has floated bolstering KiwiRail’s parts stock after a fault dropped Interislander’s fleet to one ferry while a replacement part is shipped in www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
Peters floats boosting Interislander spare-parts stock after fault cuts KiwiRail to one ferry
New ferries are not due until 2029, leaving years of reliance on older vessels.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
WCC is not ruling out staff cuts as it reveals a proposed multimillion dollar savings package, including controversial cuts to climate change spending www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
Staff cuts possible as Wellington City Council unveils multimillion-dollar savings proposal
Consultant spending and climate work are targeted to avoid a double-digit rates rise.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
WCC has put plans to expand its cycleway network on hold amid the fallout from the Moa Point sewage plant failure. A spokesman saying it must turn its attention to the city's "most pressing infrastructure needs". www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
Council puts cycleway expansion on hold after Wellington sewage disaster
Seeking financial savings, the council is prioritising its response to Moa Point.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
Wellington’s deputy mayor has been censured and forced to apologise over his behaviour online after calling a member of the public a “nonce”. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
Wellington's deputy mayor censured after calling member of public a 'nonce'
The mayor ruled he breached standards by effectively calling someone a paedophile.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
Sir Peter Jackson in discussions to build movie museum in Wellington’s Lyall Bay www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
Sir Peter Jackson in talks to build long-awaited Wellington movie museum
Officials have confirmed recent discussions with the movie mogul's people about the plan.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Jeffrey Epstein files reveal New Zealand couple managed his infamous island www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
New Zealand couple managed Epstein’s island, newly released files reveal
The couple described Little Saint James as their 'new home' in a 2016 email.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 18/01/2026
Some serious allegations against the CAA and Wellington Airport from a worker who alleges bosses “totally ignored our procedure” during a bomb scare over Christmas. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
Airport finds practice bomb in luggage, calls Defence Force but doesn't evacuate
Worker claims safety rules ignored but bosses say public wasn't at risk.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
Graham Bloxham has been arrested again, the second time in a week, this time over social media posts. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
Controversial Wellington identity arrested over social media posts
The posts allegedly made serious claims about a Wellington man.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
A public servant has quit their role after a probe into complaints from female staff of "unacceptable behaviour" following their work Christmas party. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
Public servant quits after women complain of ‘unacceptable behaviour’ after Christmas party
A whistle-blower claimed there was 'excessive' alcohol consumption at the event.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
The best and worst Govt departments to work for have been revealed in the Public Service Census. The survey exposed low morale, claims of workplace bullying, and frustration over what some public servants call an "overcooked" use of te ao Māori. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
'Continual exodus of staff': The best and worst Government workplaces, according to public servants
The sector-wide survey exposed how staff really feel about their public service jobs.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
Ray Chung has been pulled up by the mayor after he voted to give a family member $3525.88 of ratepayer money in grants funding. Chung says he didn’t notice the relative’s name on his paper, while his relative says she doesn’t agree with his views. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
Ray Chung questioned by mayor after voting to give funding to relative
Chung says he didn’t realise a relative’s name was on the council paper when he voted.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
Revealed: Who bankrolled Wellington's local election, and why Chung's Independent Together group funding faces queries from officials www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
Revealed: Who bankrolled Wellington’s local election, and why Chung's funding faces queries
Andrew Little's backers revealed as Electoral Officer questions campaign group's returns.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
NZTA and the minister had refused to share a timeline, but the Herald can reveal the second Mt Victoria Tunnel and SH1 improvements project will take a decade to complete. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
Capital's $3.8b tunnel project to won't be finished for ten years
A timeline for the project was previously kept secret, but can now been revealed
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Reposted by Ethan Manera
New Zealand Herald (Unofficial) @nzherald.nzcow.com · 26/11/2025
📢 Prospecting applicants for two sites have already been granted permits.
nzherald.co.nz
Revealed: Gold discovery in Wellington hills and why Shane Jones is 'excited'
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
ANALYSIS - Labour and the Greens appear increasingly at odds around the Wellington City Council table despite local body elections delivering a left-leaning majority for Mayor Andrew Little. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
Rifts already emerging in left-bloc majority of Andrew Little's new council
ANALYSIS: After a year of bad blood, party differences came to a head last week.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
Andrew Little scraps Tory Whanau-era mayoral business advisory group. Little said it “didn’t work that well” and business leaders didn’t feel listened to. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
'It didn’t work that well': Andrew Little scraps Tory Whanau's business group
The mayor said business leaders "didn’t feel listened to" by Tory Whanau's initiative.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
After a long court battle, Wellington Live’s Graham Bloxham has won his fight with police over a driving charge. Have a read of how the former mayoral hopeful’s police chase and arrest unfolded. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
Former Wellington mayoral hopeful wins case over police pursuit
Charge against Graham Bloxham dismissed as police could not provide firm evidence.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 12/10/2025
“Chung's bid for mayor was taken advantage of by those with an axe to grind about issues he likely didn't even understand.” OPINION: How Ray Chung’s once-promising mayoral bid collapsed in a landslide defeat www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
He was so confident in mayoral bid he reserved a $90k Rolex. Here's how it went so wrong
OPINION: Once a front-runner, Ray Chung's campaign style and scandal sank his mayoral bid.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
SCOOP:Hundreds of top secret council documents, termination agreements, a sexual harassment claim, and staff pay details, landed in the hands of a man (and now the Herald) who bought the old mayoral desk at the tip The revelation triggered an urgent investigation www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
‘I’m appalled’: Stash of top-secret files found in old mayoral desk sold to man at dump
The cache contained documents detailing staff pay and serious workplace allegations.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
Shock as gold exploration bid lodged next to Zealandia www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
Shock as gold exploration bid lodged next to Zealandia Ecosanctuary
The proposed 1.4sq km exploration site directly borders Zealandia's sanctuary fence.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
The council’s new CEO has called in consultancy firm Deloitte to undertake a wide-ranging review into the council’s operations, dubbed Future-Fit Pōneke. The Herald understands it could spell significant changes to council services and staffing levels. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
Consultants called in to review Wellington City Council, layoffs expected
Consultancy firm Deloitte is looking into the council's staffing and services.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
Wellington mayoral candidate and former city councillor Rob Goulden is being accused of “shouting at kids” and becoming aggressive after he was refused entry to a mayoral debate last night. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
'Aggressive behaviour ': Wellington mayoral candidate led by security from debate
Rob Goulden was accused of shouting at organisers after a debate snub.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
Bloxham’s out! Controversial Wellington mayoral candidate Graham Bloxham quits race after talking to his neighbour’s cat www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
Controversial Wellington mayoral candidate quits race, cites 'personal attacks'
Graham Bloxham says he's decided not to run after 'talking to the neighbour’s cat'.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 28/07/2025
Allegations of inappropriate, aggressive, and threatening behaviour have been levelled at Wellington City Councillors by their own colleagues, with elected officials in the capital facing more staff complaints than councillors in any other main centre. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
'Bullying, defamation': Wellington City Councillors most complained about
Councillors have been accused of being inappropriate and intimidating to staff.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
Four candidates have now quit Ray Chung’s campaign group. The most recent, Lily Brown, has announced she “no longer feels aligned with the tactics or political approach” of Independent Together. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
Chung’s campaign group loses candidate amid email scandal
Lily Brown said she didn't feel aligned with the tactics of the mayoral candidate's group.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
Wellington Chamber of Commerce: String of departures from leadership team before CEO’s resignation www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
String of leaders left Wellington Chamber of Commerce before CEO’s abrupt exit
CEO Simon Arcus resigned, effective immediately, on Friday afternoon.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
Ray Chung's rich list backer has formally withdrawn his public support, after revelations Chung sent an email detailing an unsavoury sexual rumour about Mayor Tory Whanau. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
Ray Chung’s rich-list backer withdraws support after sex gossip email about Tory Whanau
The high-profile donor says he's disappointed in Chung calling it 'dirty politics'.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 04/07/2025
Really appreciate Kris speaking so openly about her tough and personal decision to close her business of 11 years. Popular Wellington vegan cafe Sweet Release closing. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
nzherald.co.nz
Popular Wellington cafe to close after owner's 'heartbreak' losing baby
Sweet Release's Kris Bartley wants to focus completely on her new pregnancy.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
REVEALED: The rich-lister bankrolling Ray Chung's Wellington mayoral bid www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/rich-list...
nzherald.co.nz
Rich-lister philanthropist backs Wellington mayoral hopeful Ray Chung
The wealthy donor believes the capital is in 'serious decline'.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
Gordon Wilson Flats: Heritage advocates opposed to demolition of derelict Wellington building Heritage New Zealand has issued a statement to say its “deeply disappointed”, saying the building is "part of Wellington's social and architectural landscape". www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/gordon-wi...
nzherald.co.nz
Heritage NZ ‘deeply disappointed’ by stripped protection for Gordon Wilson Flats
The decision to delist the building has reignited the city's heritage debate.
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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 16/06/2025
Boat cafe and bar in Wellington’s Oriental Bay for sale www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/boat-cafe...
nzherald.co.nz
‘Rare opportunity’: Wellington’s floating boat cafe up for sale
The popular cafe, housed in a 66-year-old tugboat, has an asking price of $220,000.
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