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Joel MacManus

@joelmacmanus

Senior Writer at The Spinoff.

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14.06.2024
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Latest posts by Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus

Incredibly funny bit from Chris Luxon to say "I don't comment on polls" after spending 3 minutes commenting on a poll.

06.03.2026 07:21 πŸ‘ 64 πŸ” 6 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I know a former CEO of a major New Zealand tourism and freight company who might be looking for a new job soon.

06.03.2026 01:23 πŸ‘ 17 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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#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.

05.03.2026 22:20 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
Preview
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.

In an unexpected twist, the US-Israeli attacks on Iran may trigger regime change in New Zealand.

thespinoff.co.nz/politics/06-...

06.03.2026 01:13 πŸ‘ 29 πŸ” 12 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 1

thanks for helping out!

06.03.2026 01:03 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Why do student politicans gotta be like this? Fund Critic properly you muppets.

As @joelmacmanus.bsky.social says: If you value Critic Te Δ€rohi, tell OUSA.

05.03.2026 21:49 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Sign the Petition Save Critic Te Δ€rohi

Save Critic Te Δ€rohi - Sign the Petition! c.org/tZztmSV62Q

06.03.2026 00:18 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

My favorite headshot that makes me look much better than I do in real life

05.03.2026 20:55 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Could not agree with this more!

Critic Te Arohi was crucial to my Dunedin experience and has been a springboard for NZ culture.

05.03.2026 06:35 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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AN OPEN LETTER ABOUT THE FUTURE OF CRITIC TE Δ€ROHI.

05.03.2026 02:17 πŸ‘ 46 πŸ” 24 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 2

overwhelmingly for

19.02.2026 00:09 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

@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

18.02.2026 01:29 πŸ‘ 11 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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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.

19.02.2026 00:04 πŸ‘ 51 πŸ” 7 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0

I definitely wouldn't say Bish is the problem with PC120

17.02.2026 07:07 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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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...

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-...

16.02.2026 23:26 πŸ‘ 20 πŸ” 7 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1

Sure

05.02.2026 02:31 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
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.

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...

05.02.2026 01:06 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0

I someday hope to quit social media but I'm too addicted

27.01.2026 20:47 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Wellington has two genres of local news story:

1. Beloved local business closes
2. Outrage over the threat of a new business opening

26.01.2026 23:10 πŸ‘ 70 πŸ” 13 πŸ’¬ 10 πŸ“Œ 4
Preview
Luxon opens election year without a spark The prime minister’s state of the nation speech failed to stir his own party faithful....

Luxon opens election year without a spark

19.01.2026 18:17 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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Why Chrises run the country Joel MacManus presents an in-depth study of New Zealanders named Chris.

In which I present an in-depth study of New Zealanders named Chris.
thespinoff.co.nz/society/14-0...

13.01.2026 20:04 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0

Bad year to be a retired mayor from the South

08.01.2026 06:16 πŸ‘ 10 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
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.

Inside the weirdest trial of the year: Jim Grenon, Julian Batchelor and TVNZ
thespinoff.co.nz/media/19-12-...

18.12.2025 19:02 πŸ‘ 9 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 3 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
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.

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-...

18.12.2025 19:46 πŸ‘ 33 πŸ” 16 πŸ’¬ 3 πŸ“Œ 6

Unlikely given Bishop Snr is dead

10.12.2025 20:03 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
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.

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-...

09.12.2025 20:50 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Today was the day New Zealand truly became a 40% off deck furniture piss country

04.12.2025 07:51 πŸ‘ 47 πŸ” 7 πŸ’¬ 3 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
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?

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...

30.11.2025 20:31 πŸ‘ 20 πŸ” 8 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 1

I assume you're talking about Juggernaut Season 2?

27.11.2025 09:22 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I think you're exactly right

26.11.2025 22:11 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0