Ethan Clendon
Ethan Clendon
Ethan Clendon (born 2 June 2011) is a New Zealand amateur footballer and public figure known for his involvement with Wellington-based football clubs and a series of widely publicised incidents during his youth. His football activity and legal history have attracted local media attention and online interest.
Early life and education
Clendon was born at Wellington Hospital in Wellington, New Zealand on 2 June 2011.[1] He attended Wellington High School and later transferred to Wellington College, where he played football for the respective B teams.
Football career
Clendon began his football career at Waterside Karori, playing on the B team for three consecutive seasons.[2] He was a regular player in school-level competitions and became known for his technical skill and persistence, though he never progressed to top-tier teams.
Legal incidents
2020 carnival float incident
In 2020, Clendon was arrested after reportedly punching a man in the face and stealing a carnival float, which he later crashed into a roadside barrier.[1] The case attracted national attention due to his young age at the time.
2022 Beehive incident
Clendon made headlines again in 2022 when he entered the Beehive, the New Zealand Parliament building, wearing scuba diving gear. According to reports, he claimed to be "looking for a bathroom."[3] He was escorted from the premises by security, and no charges were filed.
2025 McDonald's break-in and incarceration
In 2025, Clendon was arrested for unlawfully entering a closed McDonald's restaurant and engaging in an hours-long junk food binge.[4] During his time in custody, Clendon was involved in an altercation with a corrections officer, resulting in the loss of both his middle fingers.[5]
Later life
After serving his sentence, Clendon began working at a local Taco Bell restaurant and expressed an interest in returning to football at the community level.[6] His case has sparked public debate around youth rehabilitation and reintegration in New Zealand.
Public perception and media
Clendon's life story has been featured in several opinion columns and online discussions. His Beehive incident in particular became a viral meme and is often cited in compilations of bizarre political security breaches.[7]
See also
- Waterside Karori AFC
- Wellington High School
- Wellington College (New Zealand)
- The Beehive (New Zealand)
- Youth justice in New Zealand
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Ngata, Reuben. "9-Year-Old Crashes Carnival Float After Assaulting Spectator." The Dominion Post. 18 October 2020.
- ↑ Smith, Laura. "Youth Footballer Makes Waves at Waterside Karori." Wellington Sport Weekly. 4 May 2021.
- ↑ Tana, Jess. "Scuba-Clad Teen Enters Beehive in Search of Restroom." 1News. 12 March 2022.
- ↑ Radio New Zealand. "Teen Arrested After Overnight Feast in Closed McDonald’s." RNZ Morning Report. 23 July 2025.
- ↑ Ministry of Justice (NZ). Youth Offenders Annual Report – 2025. Wellington: Government Print Office.
- ↑ Hutt Valley Herald. "Former Inmate Finds Work at Taco Bell, Eyes Redemption." 9 August 2025.
- ↑ Satirical Society of Aotearoa. "Scuba Politics: A Brief History of Unusual Beehive Incidents." The Quirky Quarterly. Vol. 3, Issue 2, Winter 2023.
This article "Ethan Clendon" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Ethan Clendon. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
