Joel MacManus

Senior writer

Joel MacManus is a senior writer for The Spinoff. He previously worked at RNZ and Stuff, and began his career at Critic Te Ārohi. His writing explores the political, economic and cultural systems that underpin modern New Zealand. He won the 2025 Voyager Media Award for Best Columnist, Opinion or Critique.

New York mayor Zohran Mamdani (right), one of many international politicians looking to NZ for answers to the housing crisis, and housing minister Chris Bishop. (Photos: Getty Images. Composite image: The Spinoff)

Why the world thinks New Zealand solved the housing crisis

From Zohran Mamdani to the Financial Times, international media and politicians seem to think NZ has fixed housing affordability. Um… what?

By Joel MacManus | 9th September, 2026

New Zealand’s power companies are swimming in cash. (Image: Tina Tiller/The Spinoff)

How the energy gentailers made $1 billion in profit this year

Why did they make so much more than last year and are we being ripped off?

By Joel MacManus | 4th September, 2026

Green MP Tamatha Paul has thrown around some accusations about rental housing. (Image: The Spinoff)

Tamatha Paul got her property facts wrong – and I’m in the middle of it

I think I can explain what’s going on.

By Joel MacManus | 2nd September, 2026

Labour leader Chris Hipkins is desperately trying to keep his wicket. (Image: Mark Cosgrove/Getty Images/The Spinoff)

Chris Hipkins is batting for a draw

Hipkins has been so focused on negating the case against Labour that he never built a cohesive argument for Labour.

By Joel MacManus | 31st August, 2026

Local government minister Simon Watts and prime minister Christopher Luxon. Photo: Getty Images. Design: The Spinoff).

National should just admit it wants to turn councils into the Department of Parks and Pipes

Rates caps are the latest in a series of anti-democratic policies from a party that once claimed to support localism and devolution.

By Joel MacManus | 26th August, 2026

New Zealand’s growing data centre industry could cause trouble for power consumers. (Image: Tina Tiller)

What AI data centres could do to your electricity bill

Two proposed data centres in Taranaki and Southland could eat up as much as 13% of New Zealand's annual electricity supply. Here's what that could mean for you.

By Joel MacManus | 25th August, 2026

National party campaign chair Simeon Brown, with some of the party’s recent online posts. (Photos: The Spinoff/National)

National’s tax claims tripped up Labour, but misleading marketing comes with risks

Simeon Brown got the better of Chris Hipkins yesterday, but he’s walking a high wire claiming Labour wants to introduce 11 new taxes.

By Joel MacManus | 19th August, 2026

Examples of Southland cheese roles Photos: Getty. Composite image: The Spinoff)

On the origin of Southland cheese rolls

A culinary journey through the many iterations of Southland's cheese roll.

By Joel MacManus | 16th August, 2026

Christopher Luxon (Photo: Getty Images. Design: The Spinoff)

The highs and many lows of Christopher Luxon’s leadership

With a recent run of gaffes, difficulties managing his coalition partners, and two almost-coups, it’s easy to forget that Luxon has also had some significant wins in his time in politics.

By Joel MacManus | 12th August, 2026

Chris Hipkins (Photo: Getty Images. Design: The Spinoff)

‘Minimum viable opposition’: Is Labour’s election strategy backfiring?

Despite weeks of bad headlines for the government, Labour’s poll numbers seem to be flat or falling. What's going on?

By Joel MacManus | 11th August, 2026