Joel MacManus
@joelmacmanus.bsky.social
Senior Writer at The Spinoff. Abundance/Yimby/Urbanist
Some personal news from today's Windbag newsletter.
October 13, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Some personal news from today's Windbag newsletter.
An outstanding debate happening in the Spinoff comment section today
October 2, 2025 at 10:21 PM
An outstanding debate happening in the Spinoff comment section today
Ray 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?"
Alex Baker: "THAT was your most embarrassing moment in council?"
September 25, 2025 at 6:28 AM
Ray 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?"
Alex Baker: "THAT was your most embarrassing moment in council?"
Game-changing suggestions from the crowd at Vision for Wellington's final event.
Imagine if Wellington could become a thriving metropolis like Blenheim.
Imagine if Wellington could become a thriving metropolis like Blenheim.
September 25, 2025 at 6:21 AM
Game-changing suggestions from the crowd at Vision for Wellington's final event.
Imagine if Wellington could become a thriving metropolis like Blenheim.
Imagine if Wellington could become a thriving metropolis like Blenheim.
Definitely one of the weirder interviews I've done.
September 9, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Definitely one of the weirder interviews I've done.
Dear 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.
September 8, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Dear 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.
✔️ Saw two chonky Kereru
✔️ New album from The Beths
✔️ Wellington on a good day
✔️ New album from The Beths
✔️ Wellington on a good day
August 29, 2025 at 11:23 PM
✔️ Saw two chonky Kereru
✔️ New album from The Beths
✔️ Wellington on a good day
✔️ New album from The Beths
✔️ Wellington on a good day
At 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."
August 28, 2025 at 7:10 AM
At 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."
Wellington mayoral candidate Don MacDonald says as mayor he will abolish Thursdays.
Would you support this?
Would you support this?
August 27, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Wellington mayoral candidate Don MacDonald says as mayor he will abolish Thursdays.
Would you support this?
Would you support this?
Nimby 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.
August 19, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Nimby 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.
Wellington is the only metro region in New Zealand that is consenting more new houses now than it was this time last year.
July 24, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Wellington is the only metro region in New Zealand that is consenting more new houses now than it was this time last year.
Wow. The Taxpayers' Union is jumping on the land value rates train.
July 22, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Wow. The Taxpayers' Union is jumping on the land value rates train.
I've changed my mind, this election is going to be awesome.
July 21, 2025 at 5:55 AM
I've changed my mind, this election is going to be awesome.
Another one bites the dust. Andrea Compton was by far the most talented Independent Together candidate. This is a tough loss for team Chung.
July 17, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Another one bites the dust. Andrea Compton was by far the most talented Independent Together candidate. This is a tough loss for team Chung.
A 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.
Chung refuses to answer, the crowd shouts incomprehensibly, and campaign manager Alistair Boyce abruptly ends the meeting.
July 15, 2025 at 8:37 AM
A 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.
Chung refuses to answer, the crowd shouts incomprehensibly, and campaign manager Alistair Boyce abruptly ends the meeting.
Heckler shouts at chaotic Ray Chung rally - "Apologise to the women of Wellington"
July 15, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Heckler shouts at chaotic Ray Chung rally - "Apologise to the women of Wellington"
More normal stuff from the Ray Chung campaign
July 15, 2025 at 7:11 AM
More normal stuff from the Ray Chung campaign
Ray Chung's campaign rally is going well.
July 15, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Ray Chung's campaign rally is going well.
I'll happily add a 20 minute detour to any trip if it means I can ride Wellington's Famous Cable Car
May 24, 2025 at 12:33 AM
I'll happily add a 20 minute detour to any trip if it means I can ride Wellington's Famous Cable Car
Oh, 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.
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.
May 7, 2025 at 4:52 AM
Oh, 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.
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.
Urbanist niche micro celebrity moment: I'm in Vancouver for Jane Jacobs' birthday, touring the city with her son, Ned Jacobs.
May 2, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Urbanist niche micro celebrity moment: I'm in Vancouver for Jane Jacobs' birthday, touring the city with her son, Ned Jacobs.
What tourism material are they talking about? Who is coming to Wellington because they want to see small wooden houses?
April 17, 2025 at 2:56 AM
What tourism material are they talking about? Who is coming to Wellington because they want to see small wooden houses?