Better Cones and Garden: A Look Through The Hole in the Wall
What happens when you – or someone you invited – destroys the walls of your flat? In the first edition of this brand new column, I speak to two students who have had to deal with the fallout of a rager turned rage room. Throughout this series I, a nosy neighbour on a relentless pursuit for the truth, aim to shed new light on the day to day lifestyle of students across Ōtepoti. There is something about moving into your...Who Gets to Be High?
The big move South to university opened my world. One night you’re sitting at home with your parents, half-listening to them hammer in their values and opinions at the dinner table. Next, you’re living in close quarters with a few hundred frothy eighteen year olds. People from different families and areas happen to give exposure to differences in culture, beliefs and morals. Who would've thunk it. This all came to a...Editorial: Optimism isn’t dead yet
If you’ve been on the internet recently, you may have noticed the world feels like it’s turning to shit. While we’re not here to say whether it’s all gonna be okay or not, we are here to preach the concept of optimism. Being Co-Editors requires thick skin and optimism at times. From people approaching you at hosts to complain about Critic (usually the crosswords), or reading hate comments on Castle26 (shoutout...Plug Pulled on Electric Hyde
Electric Hyde, a proposed event advertised in popular Castle26 Facebook group as an alternative to Elective Avenue, was quickly cancelled following discussions with the University and the Otago University Students’ Association. Critic Te Ārohi understands that Hyde Street residents were made aware of the potential consequences of the proposed event going ahead during the Annual Hyde Street Party Residents Meeting, leading to its...Students, Lecturers and Tutors React to New LMS Aoroa
In a move that has been met with both confusion and celebration, the University of Otago has officially started the roll out of Aoroa, its shiny new learning management system (LMS), powered by Brightspace. Despite being touted as a modern upgrade, Aoroa has already been critically received by students, some arguing that it’s difficult to navigate and somehow manages to hide your course content better than you ever hid from your 9am...From the Pātaka
The early weeks of the semester always feel a bit like the campus stretching its legs again. And once things get moving, they move quickly. A lot’s happened over the past few weeks – so first things first, we’re clearing out the...
OUSA giving students a reason to engage
OUSA is the green sign on the way into town, Clubs and Socs, and the people that run O-Week. That is what we are, but it isn’t all we are. Some think OUSA should be just a service...
Foo Fighters Seeking Help
Local Ōtepoti feminist punk band, SEEK HELP!, has been announced as one of the openers for the upcoming concert of American rock band Foo Fighters. SEEK HELP! made history last year by being one of two bands representing Otago at Smokefreerockquest 2025,...
E-Waste Department Saves Uni $40,000 in 2025
Te Oraka, a gem in the centre of campus, is full of student-run businesses and second-hand goods. Lesser known is that it also houses a selection of rescued e-waste. Critic Te Ārohi dusted...
Local Produce: Cue-Go
One day, in a rush to class, you'll pass Startup Dunedin on Leithbank. If you take a moment to really look, you'll spy a poster in the window of a student business they have proudly nurtured. Ready, set, Cue-Go. The audio-visual event tech...
Booze Review: Tui Vodka Red
Salutations suckas and suckettes. It was our mission this week to provide an Electric Ave Booze Review, but at $14.50 a drink – and the fact some beloved members got turned away at the bar – Swig60 says “fuck that”. Here’s a Tui...
Moaningful Confessions: Issue 3
Ah… Second year. The time that life feels like it is peaking – and it absolutely was. I was flatting with my best friends, I still had all my summer money and exams hadn't started...
Horoscopes: Issue 3 2026
Scorpio Your lecturer keeps mumbling and refuses to wear their mic right, causing that all-too-familiar antsy feeling to creep back in. So this time, rather than changing your whole degree again, try going to UniPol and get that serotonin hit that makes you...
Letters: Issue 3 2025
AN OPEN LETTER ABOUT THE FUTURE OF CRITIC TE ĀROHI Last year, I had the honour of judging the Aotearoa Student Press Awards, where Critic Te Ārohi capped off its 100th birthday by winning Best Publication for the 13th time in the last 20...
