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Wellington

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Photos: Supplied

The secret history of Wellington’s most legendary falafel spot

Fighting on the streets of Beirut, recipes written on scraps of paper and a daring escape from near-certain death: the story of how Phoenician Falafel got its menu.
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By Nick Iles | 9th January, 2026
Contributing writer
Memories from a journey on the Number 24 bus. Image: Joel MacManus

In praise of the Number 24 Bus, Wellington’s most scenic commute

The best tour of Wellington costs just $4.34 with a Snapper card.
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By Joel MacManus | 5th January, 2026
Senior writer
Four very active community members

Review: Two weeks of being actively involved in my local community

Gilmore Girls, Schitt's Creek, even The Vampire Diaries – on TV it's normal to know your neighbours. So what's it actually like?
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By Janhavi Gosavi | 3rd January, 2026
Guest writer
Wellington-based unicyclist Ken Looi.

One wheel drive: the Ken Looi story

Nearing the end of his career, the world’s greatest unicycle racer chases the sport's most elusive record.
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By Joel MacManus | 2nd January, 2026
Senior writer
Have you suffered through an awkward date at any of these locations?

My 50 first dates in Wellington, ranked and reviewed

The capital city may be small but there are plenty of places to find love (or spend a painful two hours).
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By Fran Barclay | 30th December, 2025
Guest writer
Joel MacManus in the Well_ngton sign.

Why I was wrong about the Well_ngton sign

How a big shiny sign on the Wellington waterfront exposed a problem with local news.
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By Joel MacManus | 27th December, 2025
Senior writer
Photos: Supplied

Goodbye, The Garden – where can Wellington go for homestyle Korean food now?

Bad news for the capital's bibimbap lovers as another beloved restaurant closes its doors.
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By Jazial Currie | 29th October, 2025
Guest writer
Twirling, twirling, twirling at Circus Hub’s 20th anniversary showcase.

How The Circus Hub survived 20 years on the tightrope of creative arts finances

Amid shrinking arts funding, a Wellington circus school has managed to last two decades. How have they pulled it off?
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By Sammy Carter | 28th October, 2025
Guest writer
Andrew Little won the Wellington mayoralty in a red wave.

Windbag: Key takeaways from Wellington’s red wave local election

Andrew Little won the largest mayoral victory in 142 years, and Labour and the Greens grew their governing majority at the council table.
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By Joel MacManus | 13th October, 2025
Senior writer
The race is on in Wellington city.

Mayoralty schmayoralty: these ward races will decide Wellington’s future

Barring a major upset, polling suggests Andrew Little will win the capital’s mayoral chains with relative ease. But the type of council he will lead is still up in the air. 
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By Joel MacManus | 24th September, 2025
Senior writer
Wellington – Live owner Graham Bloxham is at the centre of a controversy involving three current mayors, a former mayor and a possible future mayor. Image: Joel MacManus

The mayors, the media man and the mystery shrouding Upper Hutt’s election

An abusive email was sent to an Upper Hutt mayoral candidate. The sender says he has nothing to do with the incumbent mayor’s campaign. But locals and other mayors suspect otherwise.
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By Joel MacManus | 10th September, 2025
Senior writer
Seven of Wellington’s best sandos.

Seven Wellington sandwiches you need to eat (right now)

Pōneke's sandwich makers are quietly perfecting the form, even as the internet tries to ruin it.
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By Nick Iles | 5th September, 2025
Contributing writer
Wellington City Council rejected a proposal to build these fences on the waterfront.

Windbag: The waterfront fences debate isn’t really about fences

What looks like a fight about safety, cost and aesthetics is really about something bigger. 
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By Joel MacManus | 12th August, 2025
Senior writer
The crowd at Ray Chung’s rally at The Grand lost its collective mind. Image: Joel MacManus

Chaos on Courtenay: Inside Ray Chung’s unruly, incomprehensible campaign rally

The controversial mayoral candidate’s rally devolved into a mess of yelling, finger-pointing, and claims of assault.
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By Joel MacManus | 16th July, 2025
Senior writer
Ray Chung and Paula Muollo address the crowd at Monday’s campaign event (digitally edited image).

Ray Chung gets a woman to apologise for him

'Accountability really matters,' said the woman Ray Chung found to take accountability on his behalf.
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By Joel MacManus | 15th July, 2025
Senior writer
The many faces of Sean Plunket during his interview with Ray Chung.

A play-by-play of Ray Chung’s train wreck interview with Sean Plunket

What's even worse than a days-long PR crisis as a mayoral candidate? Getting owned by Sean Plunket.
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By Joel MacManus | 14th July, 2025
Senior writer
Wellington city councillor and mayoral candidate Ray Chung
Opinion

Windbag: Ray Chung has never been fit for office

Recent revelations of Ray Chung spreading sexual rumours about Tory Whanau shouldn’t be a surprise to those who have followed his lone term on council.
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By Joel MacManus | 14th July, 2025
Senior writer
Michael Chan, owner-operator of Hei. (Image: Tina Tiller)

How do you follow up a Wellington icon like KC Cafe?

For owner and chef Michael Chan, the answer is Hei – the restaurant he always dreamed of opening.
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By Nick Iles | 11th July, 2025
Contributing writer
Memories from a journey on the Number 24 bus. Image: Joel MacManus

In praise of the Number 24 Bus, Wellington’s most scenic commute

The best tour of Wellington costs just $4.34 with a Snapper card.
avatar
By Joel MacManus | 11th July, 2025
Senior writer
The heritage-scheduled Oriental Bay seawall. Image: WCC
Opinion

This Wellington sea wall shows how our heritage rules are broken

The government wants to make it easier to remove protections on heritage buildings – but more change is needed.
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By Joel MacManus | 9th July, 2025
Senior writer

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