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Joel MacManus

@joelmacmanus.bsky.social
1.5K followers 337 following 316 posts

Senior Writer at The Spinoff.

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Reposted by Joel MacManus
The Spinoff @thespinoff.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Review: The Beths enter their greatest hits era with the ‘By Request’ tour
thespinoff.co.nz
Review: The Beths enter their greatest hits era with the ‘By Request’ tour
The new improvised show format from the Auckland indie darlings is chaotic, hilarious and artistically impressive.
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Reposted by Joel MacManus
Sacha @sachadylan.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
'The downside for Labour is that they could end up in the same trap as National, with minor coalition parties setting the agenda because they’re the only ones who have one.' @joelmacmanus.bsky.social #NzPol
thespinoff.co.nz
Chris Hipkins is batting for a draw
Hipkins has been so focused on negating the case against Labour that he never built a cohesive argument for Labour.
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Reposted by Joel MacManus
Rachel R @rachelemridley.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
What AI data centres could do to your electricity bill thespinoff.co.nz/business/25-...
thespinoff.co.nz
What AI data centres could do to your electricity bill
Two proposed data centres in Taranaki and Southland could eat up as much as 13% of New Zealand's annual electricity supply. Here's what that could mean for you.
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
A mistimed billboard and a flub from the transport minister made for a funny morning, but both spoke to the pressure people feel to get the City Rail Link right. thespinoff.co.nz/politics/06-...
thespinoff.co.nz
Why the City Rail Link opening date gaffe matters
A mistimed billboard and a flub from the transport minister made for a funny morning, but both spoke to the pressure people feel to get this right.
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
I have a great idea to fix the housing crisis
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
New Zealand museums are really bad at telling the difference between historical significance and boomer nostalgia.
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
MPs from National, New Zealand First and Act have purchased or built at least 25 new rentals, investment properties or second homes since changing tax and tenancy laws to favour landlords. thespinoff.co.nz/politics/27-...
thespinoff.co.nz
Government MPs acquired 25 extra investment properties after passing pro-landlord reforms
From new rentals to redevelopments, some coalition MPs have been upping their ownership of residential properties.
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Former Wellington mayor turned NZ First MP Andy Foster says he claims the $36k annual accommodation subsidy because "the cost of owning a home in Wellington is not cheap". thespinoff.co.nz/politics/27-...
thespinoff.co.nz
NZ First MP Andy Foster claims $36k top-up to stay in home he’s owned for 26 years
The former Wellington mayor says he claims the accommodation subsidy because 'the cost of owning a home in Wellington is not cheap'.
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Reposted by Joel MacManus
The Spinoff @thespinoff.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Is the Afghan biscuit racist or just misunderstood?
thespinoff.co.nz
Is the Afghan biscuit racist or just misunderstood?
The biscuits have attracted controversy over claims their name has racist origins. The real history is more complicated....
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Nicola Willis cuts jobs, loves AI, hates NZ First My report from the pre-budget speech.
thespinoff.co.nz
Nicola Willis cuts jobs, loves AI, hates NZ First
The finance minister announced public service layoffs, celebrated AI, and took swipes at Labour and NZ First in her pre-budget speech.
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
thespinoff.co.nz/media/19-05-... Watchdog without a leash: How Queenstown’s Crux Media became a ‘one-man crusade’. The strange saga of New Zealand’s most controversial local news startup.
thespinoff.co.nz
Watchdog without a leash: How Queenstown’s Crux Media became a ‘one-man crusade’
A watchdog without a leash: The strange saga of New Zealand’s most controversial local news startup.
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Ray Chung has stepped down as chair of Wellington's Council Controlled Organisations committee.
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Why this AI data centre might be New Zealand’s most important climate project. (I know Bluesky is gonna love this one /s) thespinoff.co.nz/business/15-...
thespinoff.co.nz
Why this AI data centre might be New Zealand’s most important climate project
The annual carbon emissions saving from running Datagrid in New Zealand rather than China could be equivalent to taking almost half a million cars off the road.<br />
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
I miss being able to write "It's not X, it's Y" without feeling like a robot.
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
The case for Super Rugby-based regional councils. The perfect map for regional government already exists. It was drawn by a rugby administrator in 1995. thespinoff.co.nz/politics/11-...
thespinoff.co.nz
The case for Super Rugby-based regional councils
The perfect map for regional government was drawn by a rugby administrator in 1995.
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Boomer journos love lecturing young reporters about how they used to write 3-5 stories every day. Meanwhile 20th century New Zealand newspapers were full of articles like this:
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
New Zealand’s immigration debate is like something out of the 1870s thespinoff.co.nz/politics/06-...
thespinoff.co.nz
New Zealand’s immigration debate is like something out of the 1870s
Act is chasing NZ First who are chasing the anti-immigration vote.<br />
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
This week, right-wing politicians and pundits were outraged by a reporter using an offensive word at a private social event and a Green candidate making edgy jokes on social media. Welcome to Woke 2: conservative boogaloo. thespinoff.co.nz/politics/01-...
thespinoff.co.nz
It was a good week for… cancel culture
The right-wing media ecosystem was outraged by a reporter using an offensive word at a private social event. Welcome to Woke 2: conservative boogaloo.
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Some great Luxonisms featured in the cabinet paper for the Major Events and Tourism Fund
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
One of the biggest culture shocks I had moving from Wellington to Auckland was seeing people use umbrellas. I had legitimately forgotten they were an option.
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
One of the biggest culture shocks I had moving from Wellington to Auckland was seeing people use umbrellas. I had legitimately forgotten they were an option.
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
"Only David Seymour can do that"
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Reposted by Joel MacManus
David Palmer @cloventt.net · 08/04/2026
As a Little Yellow Digger stan I am so very happy with Stuff journalists right now.
Stuff asked police if a bigger digger would be needed, but a police spokesperson advised after 11.15am that a “special tow truck” would be needed and that would take around an hour to arrive.
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
The many dodgy claims behind the government’s major events fund thespinoff.co.nz/politics/26-...
thespinoff.co.nz
The many dodgy claims behind the government’s major events fund
Does anyone really believe that Robbie Williams wouldn’t have come to New Zealand without a taxpayer-funded sweetener?
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
Living Streets Aotearoa (or at least the Wellington branch) is going to be so annoying about this.
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
I think this is a really good idea. The years-long discourse about turning the golf course into housing was always pointless because of the Town Belt Act, but there is plenty of opportunity to use this green space for walking, cycling, or other forms of recreation.
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
The era of Chris power in New Zealand politics may be coming to an end. thespinoff.co.nz/society/14-0...
thespinoff.co.nz
Why Chrises run the country
An in-depth study of New Zealanders with the name Chris.
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Incredibly funny bit from Chris Luxon to say "I don't comment on polls" after spending 3 minutes commenting on a poll.
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
I know a former CEO of a major New Zealand tourism and freight company who might be looking for a new job soon.
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Reposted by Joel MacManus
NZ Transit Buzz @nztransitbuzz.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
#RailNews: KiwiRail Director Scott O’Donnell has decided to depart the KiwiRail Board as a new venture will require him to spend more time in Australia, Chair Suzanne Tindal announced on Friday.
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
In an unexpected twist, the US-Israeli attacks on Iran may trigger regime change in New Zealand. thespinoff.co.nz/politics/06-...
thespinoff.co.nz
Good week/bad week: It was a bad week for the world
In an unexpected twist, the US war in Iran may trigger regime change in New Zealand.
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Reposted by Joel MacManus
JJW @jjw.wtf · 05/03/2026
Why do student politicans gotta be like this? Fund Critic properly you muppets. As @joelmacmanus.bsky.social says: If you value Critic Te Ārohi, tell OUSA.
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Reposted by Joel MacManus
Jessica de Heij @jdeheij.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Save Critic Te Ārohi - Sign the Petition! c.org/tZztmSV62Q
c.org
Sign the Petition
Save Critic Te Ārohi
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Reposted by Joel MacManus
blacklightnz.bsky.social @blacklightnz.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Could not agree with this more! Critic Te Arohi was crucial to my Dunedin experience and has been a springboard for NZ culture.
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
AN OPEN LETTER ABOUT THE FUTURE OF CRITIC TE ĀROHI.
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Reposted by Joel MacManus
Lauren M @elenem.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
@joelmacmanus.bsky.social looking like a prophet already (simply by paying attention) with the 'National will do the bits that suit them but ignore pretty much everything else' take on the infrastructure report. #nzpol
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Today, this apartment building in Wellington was approved for construction. Two years ago, it was illegal to build. What changed? A group of 20-something YIMBYs campaigned for the council to change its zoning. Soon this site will have 32 homes where previously there was one.
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
The National Infrastructure Plan, released today, sets out a vision for a more efficient, affordable future. But is infrastructure minister Chris Bishop willing to accept that he is part of the problem? thespinoff.co.nz/politics/17-...
thespinoff.co.nz
The government’s infrastructure plan points the blame at the government
The National Infrastructure Plan, released today, sets out a vision for a more efficient, affordable future. But is infrastructure minister Chris Bishop willing to accept that he is part of the proble...
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
A controversial billionaire, an esteemed professor, and two property managers are among the New Zealanders with links to notorious sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. thespinoff.co.nz/society/05-0...
thespinoff.co.nz
The Epstein files and NZ: managers, models and the Kiwi billionaire
A controversial billionaire, an esteemed professor, and two property managers are among the New Zealanders with links to the notorious sex trafficker.
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
Wellington has two genres of local news story: 1. Beloved local business closes 2. Outrage over the threat of a new business opening
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Reposted by Joel MacManus
The Spinoff @thespinoff.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
Luxon opens election year without a spark
thespinoff.co.nz
Luxon opens election year without a spark
The prime minister’s state of the nation speech failed to stir his own party faithful....
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
In which I present an in-depth study of New Zealanders named Chris. thespinoff.co.nz/society/14-0...
thespinoff.co.nz
Why Chrises run the country
Joel MacManus presents an in-depth study of New Zealanders named Chris.
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
Bad year to be a retired mayor from the South
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Reposted by Joel MacManus
Assiduously Julie @awaterevalley.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
Inside the weirdest trial of the year: Jim Grenon, Julian Batchelor and TVNZ thespinoff.co.nz/media/19-12-...
thespinoff.co.nz
Inside the weirdest trial of the year: Jim Grenon, Julian Batchelor and TVNZ
Billionaires, secrets, conspiracy theories, denials of racism, contempt of court and twists at every turn. This case had it all.
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
I spent three days in the Auckland District Court watching the weirdest trial of the year. Billionaires, secrets, conspiracy theories, denials of racism, contempt of court and twists at every turn. This case had it all. thespinoff.co.nz/media/19-12-...
thespinoff.co.nz
Inside the weirdest trial of the year: Jim Grenon, Julian Batchelor and TVNZ
Billionaires, secrets, conspiracy theories, denials of racism, contempt of court and twists at every turn. This case had it all.
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
After two years of major housing, infrastructure and planning reforms, Chris Bishop may have done more for the Abundance Agenda than any other politician on Earth. thespinoff.co.nz/politics/10-...
thespinoff.co.nz
The minister for abundance
After two years of major housing, infrastructure and planning reforms, Chris Bishop may have done more for the abundance agenda than any other politician on the planet.
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
Today was the day New Zealand truly became a 40% off deck furniture piss country
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 30/11/2025
The butter chicken pie has risen from a niche fusion food to New Zealand’s third-best-selling pie flavour. Who gave the nation this unique culinary taonga? thespinoff.co.nz/kai/01-12-20...
thespinoff.co.nz
The pie-oneer: In search of the unsung hero who invented the butter chicken pie
The butter chicken pie has risen from a niche fusion food to New Zealand’s third-best-selling pie flavour. Who gave the nation this unique culinary taonga?
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Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
There's a stark contrast between Living Streets Aotearoa in Auckland, a useful advocacy group for pedestrian infrastructure, and Living Streets Aotearoa in Wellington which seems to exist only to complain about e-scooters and has never found a project they actually like.
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