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ethanmanera.bsky.social
Ethan Manera
@ethanmanera.bsky.social
53 followers 33 following 49 posts
New Zealand Herald Wellington Journalist
ethan.manera@nzme.co.nz
Posts Replies Media Videos
ethanmanera.bsky.social
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...
Wellington's deputy mayor censured after calling member of public a 'nonce'
The mayor ruled he breached standards by effectively calling someone a paedophile.
www.nzherald.co.nz
February 4, 2026 at 10:57 PM
ethanmanera.bsky.social
Sir Peter Jackson in discussions to build movie museum in Wellington’s Lyall Bay

www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
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.
www.nzherald.co.nz
February 4, 2026 at 5:02 AM
ethanmanera.bsky.social
Jeffrey Epstein files reveal New Zealand couple managed his infamous island

www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
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.
www.nzherald.co.nz
February 2, 2026 at 5:33 AM
ethanmanera.bsky.social
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...
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.
www.nzherald.co.nz
January 18, 2026 at 7:00 PM
ethanmanera.bsky.social
Graham Bloxham has been arrested again, the second time in a week, this time over social media posts.

www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
Controversial Wellington identity arrested over social media posts
The posts allegedly made serious claims about a Wellington man.
www.nzherald.co.nz
January 16, 2026 at 3:51 AM
ethanmanera.bsky.social
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...
Public servant quits after women complain of ‘unacceptable behaviour’ after Christmas party
A whistle-blower claimed there was 'excessive' alcohol consumption at the event.
www.nzherald.co.nz
January 13, 2026 at 4:17 AM
ethanmanera.bsky.social
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...
'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.
www.nzherald.co.nz
January 12, 2026 at 7:20 AM
ethanmanera.bsky.social
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...
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.
www.nzherald.co.nz
December 22, 2025 at 5:08 AM
ethanmanera.bsky.social
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...
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.
www.nzherald.co.nz
December 11, 2025 at 6:44 AM
ethanmanera.bsky.social
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...
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
www.nzherald.co.nz
December 3, 2025 at 4:54 AM
Reposted by Ethan Manera
📢 Prospecting applicants for two sites have already been granted permits.
Revealed: Gold discovery in Wellington hills and why Shane Jones is 'excited'
www.nzherald.co.nz
November 26, 2025 at 5:22 AM
ethanmanera.bsky.social
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...
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.
www.nzherald.co.nz
November 26, 2025 at 5:49 AM
ethanmanera.bsky.social
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...
'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.
www.nzherald.co.nz
November 12, 2025 at 9:17 PM
ethanmanera.bsky.social
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...
Former Wellington mayoral hopeful wins case over police pursuit
Charge against Graham Bloxham dismissed as police could not provide firm evidence.
www.nzherald.co.nz
October 16, 2025 at 3:41 AM
ethanmanera.bsky.social
“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...
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.
www.nzherald.co.nz
October 12, 2025 at 3:53 AM
ethanmanera.bsky.social
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...
‘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.
www.nzherald.co.nz
September 26, 2025 at 9:16 PM
ethanmanera.bsky.social
Shock as gold exploration bid lodged next to Zealandia

www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
Shock as gold exploration bid lodged next to Zealandia Ecosanctuary
The proposed 1.4sq km exploration site directly borders Zealandia's sanctuary fence.
www.nzherald.co.nz
September 12, 2025 at 3:38 AM
ethanmanera.bsky.social
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...
Consultants called in to review Wellington City Council, layoffs expected
Consultancy firm Deloitte is looking into the council's staffing and services.
www.nzherald.co.nz
September 9, 2025 at 12:26 AM
ethanmanera.bsky.social
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...
'Aggressive behaviour ': Wellington mayoral candidate led by security from debate
Rob Goulden was accused of shouting at organisers after a debate snub.
www.nzherald.co.nz
August 7, 2025 at 2:06 AM
ethanmanera.bsky.social
Bloxham’s out!

Controversial Wellington mayoral candidate Graham Bloxham quits race after talking to his neighbour’s cat

www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
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'.
www.nzherald.co.nz
July 29, 2025 at 6:53 AM
ethanmanera.bsky.social
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...
'Bullying, defamation': Wellington City Councillors most complained about
Councillors have been accused of being inappropriate and intimidating to staff.
www.nzherald.co.nz
July 27, 2025 at 11:37 PM
ethanmanera.bsky.social
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...
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.
www.nzherald.co.nz
July 16, 2025 at 9:47 PM
ethanmanera.bsky.social
Wellington Chamber of Commerce: String of departures from leadership team before CEO’s resignation

www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...
String of leaders left Wellington Chamber of Commerce before CEO’s abrupt exit
CEO Simon Arcus resigned, effective immediately, on Friday afternoon.
www.nzherald.co.nz
July 15, 2025 at 11:16 PM
ethanmanera.bsky.social
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...
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'.
www.nzherald.co.nz
July 11, 2025 at 12:57 AM
ethanmanera.bsky.social
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...
Popular Wellington cafe to close after owner's 'heartbreak' losing baby
Sweet Release's Kris Bartley wants to focus completely on her new pregnancy.
www.nzherald.co.nz
July 4, 2025 at 5:46 AM