Cushla Tangaere-Manuel is a Labour Party Member of Parliament representing the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti electorate [22][27].
She attended Ngata Memorial College, where she served as head girl [13][17]. Before entering politics, according to a secondary source, she worked as a journalist in TV and radio [9], including as a broadcaster at TVNZ and Whakaata Māori [2][3]. According to a single reputable secondary source, she reported on the TV series Marae [11] and in 2009 directed and reported on a Marae item about youth court at Te Poho O Rawiri Marae [8]. She also, according to the same source, presented the talent show Māorioke [10].
Tangaere-Manuel also had a career in sports administration [12]. According to a single reputable secondary source, she served as chief executive of Ngati Porou East Coast Rugby [6] and as chief executive officer of the East Coast Rugby Football Union (NPEC) [7]. She is also reported to have worked as a Māori Rugby Programme Manager [1].
In community and governance roles, according to a single reputable secondary source, she served as Chair of the Heartland Secretariat from 2021 [20] and as a director of Putaanga Marae [14], Radio Ngati Porou [15], and Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Taperenui a Whatonga [16].
Tangaere-Manuel stood as a candidate for the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti electorate at the 2023 general election [19] and was confirmed as Member of Parliament for that electorate from 2023 [22]. According to a single reputable secondary source, from 12 May 2025 she has held the roles of Assistant Whip [18], Spokesperson for Māori Economy [25], Spokesperson for Forestry [24], and Spokesperson for Sport and Recreation [26].