Manners Mall inspires video

BY REBECCA THOMSON - THE WELLINGTONIAN

The battle for a busway through Manners Mall has inspired a music video that has become an internet hit.

Robbie Ellis has penned Manners Mall Emo Song about the planned busway through the mall.

It has attracted more than 4000 hits on YouTube.

Over images of Manners Mall and the proposed busway, Elis plaintively sings: "Now we know what their plan is, the council's lost their Manners. They're only thinking of my parents and nanas.

"They're never thinking of me. They've put a bus lane through my heart."

Ellis did not want to talk to The Wellingtonian, saying he wanted the video to speak for itself.

However, Wellington City Council spokesman Richard MacLean was happy to comment. He said the music video was very clever and made council staff and councillors laugh.

"Despite the fact Wellington City Council gets its fair share of abuse in the song, it's proved to be a hit.

"Everyone here thought it was magnificent, especially some of the outrageous lines in it. Some of the metaphors are magnificent too."

The song includes references to David Bain, Manners Mall shops, the waterfront and Facebook groups.

MacLean said the video was very creative, but had not persuaded the council to change its mind about turning Manners Mall into a busway.

"That whole emo depressive thing is done quite well. It's a very clever video; it makes us proud to be Wellingtonians."