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Ethan Manera

@ethanmanera.bsky.social

43 followers 30 following 36 posts

New Zealand Herald Wellington Journalist [email protected]

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Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 2d

“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

Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · 17d

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

Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · Sep 12

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

Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · Sep 9

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

Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · Aug 7

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

Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · Jul 29

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

Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · Jul 27

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

Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · Jul 16

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

Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · Jul 15

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

Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · Jul 11

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

Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · Jul 4

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

Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · Jun 18

REVEALED: The rich-lister bankrolling Ray Chung's Wellington mayoral bid

www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/rich-list...

Rich-lister philanthropist backs Wellington mayoral hopeful Ray Chung

The wealthy donor believes the capital is in 'serious decline'.

www.nzherald.co.nz

Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · Jun 17

Gordon Wilson Flats: Heritage advocates opposed to demolition of derelict Wellington building

Heritage New Zealand has issued a statement to say its “deeply disappointed”, saying the building is "part of Wellington's social and architectural landscape".

www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/gordon-wi...

Heritage NZ ‘deeply disappointed’ by stripped protection for Gordon Wilson Flats

The decision to delist the building has reignited the city's heritage debate.

www.nzherald.co.nz

Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · Jun 16

Boat cafe and bar in Wellington’s Oriental Bay for sale

www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/boat-cafe...

‘Rare opportunity’: Wellington’s floating boat cafe up for sale

The popular cafe, housed in a 66-year-old tugboat, has an asking price of $220,000.

www.nzherald.co.nz

Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · Jun 5

Ray Chung, taking the stage to the Rocky theme tune, has launched his Wellington mayoral campaign.

Among the crowd was philanthropist Sir Mark Dunajtschick, disgraced former National MP Aaron Gilmore, and fellow mayoral candidates Graham Bloxham and Rob Goulden.

www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/ray-chung...

'Nemesis of the deep state': Mayoral hopeful launches campaign to Rocky theme

Ray Chung was introduced as the "independent hope for the downtrodden ratepayer".

www.nzherald.co.nz

Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · Jun 3

Andrew Little is pledging a cap on bus and train fares for Wellington commuters, limiting costs to eight trips weekly.

www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...

Wellington Mayoral candidate Andrew Little unveils key public transport policy

Little says it would save commuters hundreds of dollars every year.

www.nzherald.co.nz

Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · May 26

I’m thrilled to share that today I’ve officially joined the NZ Herald as a journalist in the Wellington newsroom. I’ve absolutely loved the past year and a half at Newstalk ZB and am stoked to take on a new opportunity to share stories from the capital.

Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · May 4

Wellington mayoral candidate Graham Bloxham arrested for failing to stop for police

www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...

Wellington mayoral candidate arrested for failing to stop for police

Graham Bloxham has described the incident as an 'absolutely crazy experience'.

www.nzherald.co.nz

Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · Apr 15

Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · Apr 15

Ray Chung says Mayor Tory Whanau's "full of sh*t" following criticism he skipped a council meeting for ‘fancy lunch’ with donors.

www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...

Mayoral hopeful criticised for skipping meeting for 'fancy lunch' with donors

The councillor says the mayor is 'full of s***' for her criticisms.

www.nzherald.co.nz

Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · Apr 15

Wellington mayoral polling: Full Curia numbers released, Ray Chung ahead of Tory Whanau

www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...

Previously withheld polling reveals who Wellingtonians are backing for mayor

Tory Whanau says the poll isn't her focus.

www.nzherald.co.nz

Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · Apr 10

Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry has announced he's calling time on the role and won't seek re-election at October's election.

www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/lower-hut...

Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry won't run again

Barry says he’s been thinking about it for a year and has ruled out a run for Parliament.

www.nzherald.co.nz

Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · Apr 8

BREAKING: Former Labour leader Andrew Little ‘actively considering’ Wellington mayoralty bid

www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/...

Andrew Little ‘actively considering’ Wellington mayoralty bid

The former Labour leader says the city needs a change.

www.nzherald.co.nz

Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · Apr 6

Wellington local election: Green Party endorses @misswhanau.bsky.social for Mayoralty

www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...

Greens back Tory Whanau for second term as Wellington mayor

Whanau admitted in Feb she 'wasn’t being Green' by supporting some controversial policies.

www.nzherald.co.nz

Ethan Manera @ethanmanera.bsky.social · Mar 30

BREAKING: Wellington businessman Karl Tiefenbacher announces mayoral bid.

www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingto...

‘It’s time!‘: Wellington businessman announces mayoral bid

Karl Tiefenbacher narrowly lost a by-election last year by 45 votes.

www.nzherald.co.nz