Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 29/07/2026I have a great idea to fix the housing crisis 73912 39
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 15/06/2026New Zealand museums are really bad at telling the difference between historical significance and boomer nostalgia. 3111 11
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 18/05/2026Ray Chung has stepped down as chair of Wellington's Council Controlled Organisations committee. 104612 46
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 06/05/2026Boomer 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: 090 9
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 22/04/2026Some great Luxonisms featured in the cabinet paper for the Major Events and Tourism Fund 5141 14
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 05/03/2026AN OPEN LETTER ABOUT THE FUTURE OF CRITIC TE ĀROHI. 14523 45
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 19/02/2026Today, 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. 2517 51
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 26/01/2026Wellington has two genres of local news story: 1. Beloved local business closes 2. Outrage over the threat of a new business opening 106912 69
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 24/11/2025A quote from the man who just gave Ray Chung a promotion. 46423 64
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 13/10/2025Some personal news from today's Windbag newsletter. 18923 92
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 02/10/2025An outstanding debate happening in the Spinoff comment section today 2274 27
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 25/09/2025Ray Chung talking about a time when council officers escorted someone out of a public meeting after only three questions: "that was my most embarrassing moment on council". Alex Baker: "THAT was your most embarrassing moment in council?" 48114 81
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 25/09/2025Game-changing suggestions from the crowd at Vision for Wellington's final event. Imagine if Wellington could become a thriving metropolis like Blenheim. 7315 31
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 09/09/2025Definitely one of the weirder interviews I've done. 4358 35
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 08/09/2025Dear Auckland, there are too many similar-sounding suburbs nowadays. Glendene, Glen Eden, Glendowie, Glen Innes, Mt Eden, Eden Terrace, Grey Lynn, New Lynn, West Lynn. Please eliminate three. I am not a crackpot. 3201 20
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 30/08/2025✔️ Saw two chonky Kereru ✔️ New album from The Beths ✔️ Wellington on a good day 2313 31
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 28/08/2025At her campaign launch for the Māori ward seat, Tory Whanau launched a broadside at Ray Chung, Nicola Young, Auckland councillor Maurice Williamson and anyone associated with campaign group Better Wellington - "Vote them out. They don't deserve to represent you." 312037 120
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 27/08/2025Wellington mayoral candidate Don MacDonald says as mayor he will abolish Thursdays. Would you support this? 5182 18
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 19/08/2025Nimby group Live Wellington is so mad about upzoning in the new District Plan that they made a 2005-era flash game where boomer homeowners throw cricket bats at housing minister Chris Bishop's head. 3205 20
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 24/07/2025Wellington is the only metro region in New Zealand that is consenting more new houses now than it was this time last year. 1325 32
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 22/07/2025Wow. The Taxpayers' Union is jumping on the land value rates train. 6235 23
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 21/07/2025I've changed my mind, this election is going to be awesome. 3346 34
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 17/07/2025Another one bites the dust. Andrea Compton was by far the most talented Independent Together candidate. This is a tough loss for team Chung. 6252 25
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 15/07/2025A woman asks Ray Chung "what are three policies you would enact as mayor to ensure respectful behavior on the council?" Chung refuses to answer, the crowd shouts incomprehensibly, and campaign manager Alistair Boyce abruptly ends the meeting. 66213 62
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 15/07/2025Heckler shouts at chaotic Ray Chung rally - "Apologise to the women of Wellington" 69318 93
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 15/07/2025More normal stuff from the Ray Chung campaign 4288 28
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 15/07/2025Ray Chung's campaign rally is going well. 64910 49
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 24/05/2025I'll happily add a 20 minute detour to any trip if it means I can ride Wellington's Famous Cable Car 1190 19
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 07/05/2025Oh, people in Wellington are complaining about a six-storey apartment building? Anyway, I'm on top of a 39-storey tower in the Sen̓áḵw development in Vancouver. It's built on Squamish Nation reserve land, which is exempt from city zoning and functionally NIMBY-proof. 1217523 175
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 03/05/2025Urbanist niche micro celebrity moment: I'm in Vancouver for Jane Jacobs' birthday, touring the city with her son, Ned Jacobs. 1261 26
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 17/04/2025What tourism material are they talking about? Who is coming to Wellington because they want to see small wooden houses? 8306 30
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 10/04/2025I'm really happy and humbled to be a finalist for Local Journalist of the Year and Best Columnist, Opinion or Critique at the Voyager Media Awards. 3421 42
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 28/02/2025Chris Bishop is on a generational run of urbanist speeches 2141 14
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 02/02/2025Te Tiriti actually has quite a lot to do with water rights. It's kinda one of the most important bits. This isn't just Wellington Water being woke. It's a core part of the treaty settlements with Ngāti Toa and Taranaki Whanui. 518538 185
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 03/01/2025I assume I'm allowed to park here because there's no sign explicitly saying I can't. 17410 74
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 26/12/2024The Post naming the mayor of Wellington as the 44th most powerful person in Wellington is hilariously petty but also explains so much about their coverage. 1915919 159
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 17/12/2024Silent night holy night Son of God, love's pure light Radiant beams from thy holy face. 050 5
Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 15/12/2024A comically bad suggestion. These are not serious people. 0202 20
