Archive
Letter of the Week: Te Huinga Tauira: A Kāihāpai Perspective
Posted 9:22pm Sunday 22nd September 2024 by Gemella Reynolds-Hatem (Ngāi Tahu: Ngāi Tūāhuriri, Ngāti Waewae, Ngāti Hāteatea)
Churr my familia, Just writing into the critic to make sure you all are being recognized for all the amazing mahi that you have all done! TREE TREE TREE x Te Rōpū Māori had 30 of their tauira go up to Tāmaki for Te Huinga Tauira, the National Tertiary Māori Students Read more...
Editorial: Call Me Colm
Posted 9:18pm Sunday 22nd September 2024 by Nina Brown
I’m feeling a little burned out and I'm sure you are, too. Rather than loading a hot take on your plate for you to chew on, I’ve got something else on the menu. This week, it’s time to serve up the potato story cooked up from my undergrad lore. Best enjoyed with a generously Read more...
Critic Bachelor: Meet Lily’s Flatmates
Posted 9:12pm Sunday 22nd September 2024 by Hanna Varrs
After six weeks of Joel calling the shots, whittling our group of ten singles down to our two finalists Lily and Brad, Critic Bachelor is turning the tables. It’s time for Joel to seek the flatties’ approval. Read on as Lily’s flatmates discover our bachelor’s true intentions Read more...
Local Produce: Frivolry
Posted 9:11pm Sunday 22nd September 2024 by Jordan Irvine
Frivolry is the newest and hottest and one of the few celtic bands in Ōtepoti. Alex is on accordion, Tom is on mandolin, Juliet and Rosie are on violin, Brody is on bass (but can also play accordion, because “the revolution is coming”), Johnny is on drums, and Maia is the caller. Read more...
Debatable: Flat Pests: Trap and Release or Kill?
Posted 9:01pm Sunday 22nd September 2024 by Otago University Debating Society
Debatable is a column written by the Otago University Debating Society. The Debating Society welcomes new members and meets at the Business School every Tuesday at 6pm. Trap and Release Remy was spared his life by Linguini and the two went on to form an unrivalled partnership culminating in Read more...
Booze Review: Clean Collective
Posted 8:54pm Sunday 22nd September 2024 by Chunny Bill Swilliams
Clean Collective is the go-to fitspo drink. It’s a staple for those with social anxiety, who hate drinking but hate looking like a loser more. Coming in plenty of flavours, Clean Collective is bound to cleanse your palette while also getting you a little rinsed. For those who don’t drink Read more...
OUSA Column Half-Page Takeover
Posted 8:52pm Sunday 22nd September 2024 by Amelia Harris
Winning the half page in the critic was revolutionary for me, a fresher. So in true first-year fashion, I am outing mine and other’s embarrassing fresher moments for any second-years and above who didn’t stop reading after the word ‘fresher’. Residential Halls The Read more...
Takeaways: Week 23
Posted 8:47pm Sunday 22nd September 2024 by Critic
SOMETHING TO WATCH Clarkson’s Farm on Amazon Prime Hop on your parent’s Amazon Prime account and binge watch the most wholesome show to hit screens in a hot minute: Clarkson’s Farm. The show follows Jeremy Clarkson’s attempts to help with the operations of his farm in Read more...
Horoscopes: Week 23
Posted 8:31pm Sunday 22nd September 2024 by Critic Staff
Aquarius Uranus is in retrograde, so throw all your material possessions into the nearest body of water and sit in the corner of your room like Gollum. This is the best way for an Aquarius to connect with their inner child to heal the trauma of losing your MP3 player on Boxing Day 2006. Book Read more...
Mi Goreng Graduate: Spiced Beef Bowl
Posted 8:09pm Sunday 22nd September 2024 by Ruby Hudson
Time: 1 hr Serves: 4 Difficulty: 2.5/5 This week’ recipe is inspired by a Thai seven spice blend. There are a lot of different seven spice blends. My spiced beef bowl is influenced by a bunch of different recipes and dictated by what I had on hand in the cupboard. Feel free to Read more...
Critic Bachelor: Trivial Pursuit (Of Joel)
Posted 4:47am Monday 16th September 2024 by Hanna Varrs
A hot new bombshell has entered the villa (Critic office)! Yes, you read that right – we’re stirring the pot. Keegan Wells (OUSA President) is joining the Critic Bachelor for a special guest appearance. Today, the remaining singles Micah, Brad, and Lily will be competing against Keegan Read more...
Mi Goreng Graduate: Rēwena Paraoa
Posted 4:45am Monday 16th September 2024 by Ruby Hudson
Makes: 1 large loaf Time: 10 mins prep, 2 days ferment time; 2 hrs knead and prove, 45 mins bake Difficulty: 5/5 (until you have tried a few times! Then it is super easy) Rēwena paraoa aka rēwena bread is an indigenous potato-based sourdough. In the face of aggressive Read more...
Horoscopes: Maramataka
Posted 4:35am Monday 16th September 2024 by Critic
For Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori from September 16th-22nd, Critic Te Ārohi’s orb reads the maramataka – a calendar highlighting the connection between the moon and our well-being. The energy levels are caused by the gravitational forces of Te Ra, Marama, and Whenua. Rāhina Read more...
Guest Editorial: Get in Loser, it’s Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori
Posted 4:08am Monday 16th September 2024 by Heeni Koero Te Rerenoa (Sky)
Ka pāpā te whatitiri Hikohiko te uira Kahukura ki te rangi He aitu ka riri rongo mai ka hē Ko ngunguru Ko ngangana Ko apārangi Ko te titi o te rua ko te tao whakawahine Ko te motumotu o te riri Te awa o ngā rangatira Taumārere herehere i te riri Te puna i Read more...
OUSA Exec: Churr e te whānuk
Posted 4:02am Monday 16th September 2024 by Gemella Reynolds-Hatem (Ngāi Tahu: Ngāi Tūāhuriri, Ngāti Waewae, Ngāti Hāteatea)
For non-Māori, some may ask why is Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori a thing? Why is there no English language week? Why do these Māori get a week to themselves? Well, e te whānau, let me enlighten you my bro. Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori is our birthright. It is the reo Read more...
Booze Review: Vote Hoiho NZ Pale Ale
Posted 3:58am Monday 16th September 2024 by Chunny Bill Swilliams
There are many pleasures in life. In Dunedin, it’s the Peninsula wildlife and alcohol. Put ‘em together and what do you get? Penguin piss. In honour of this year’s Bird of the Year election, the master brewers at Emerson’s have made a limited edition ‘Vote Hoiho’ Read more...
Debatable: Should Aotearoa have bilingual road signs?
Posted 3:56am Monday 16th September 2024 by Otago University Debating Society
Debatable is a column written by the Otago University Debating Society. The Debating Society welcomes new members and meets at the Business School every Tuesday at 6pm. Against It’s clear that the New Zealand government isn’t living up to its obligation to promote te reo Read more...
Local Produce: Achtung!
Posted 3:48am Monday 16th September 2024 by Jordan Irvine
Bring The Noise final losers Achtung! are the newest post-punk band in Ōtepoti. Members include Jacob (he/him) on guitar, Niki (she/they/he) on drums, Henry on bass (he/him) and George (he/him) on guitar. According to Niki, “The genesis of Achtung! is using old Critic’s as cum Read more...
Local Produce: Underbirds
Posted 5:06pm Saturday 7th September 2024 by Jordan Irvine
As part of the 2023 Bird of the Year campaign, Science Communication graduates and wildlife photographers Abi Liddell, Brady Clarke, and Isabella Lewis released a ten-minute short film Underbirds: The Fight to Save the Southern New Zealand Dotterel. Pukunui are New Zealand’s most endangered Read more...
Mi Goreng Graduate: Potato Leek Soup
Posted 5:01pm Saturday 7th September 2024 by Ruby Hudson
Serves: 5 Time: 1 hr Price: $ Difficult: 2/5 Attention all of you penny-pinching, budget conscious students! Winter vegetables are cheap as chips at the moment so we may as well make the most of it. Potato leek soup is a real winter warmer, making a delicious recipe for dinners or Read more...
Horoscopes: Week 21
Posted 4:26pm Saturday 7th September 2024 by Critic
Aquarius All your shoes are feeling tight this week. Go sockless to allow for extra space in there, but don’t let anyone know – it’s kinda musty. Just say you’re wearing no-show socks, still weird but a little more socially accepted. Daydream Prompt: Losing your shoe while Read more...
Editorial: Pukunui for Bird of the Year
Posted 4:21pm Saturday 7th September 2024 by Nina Brown
Critic Te Ārohi is officially backing the Pukunui (Southern NZ dotterel) for Bird of the Year, an annual Forest & Bird election that pits 75 birds against each other in a battle for awareness and conservation resources. Before you ask: no, while Salient Mag’s Editor has gotten a Read more...
Booze Review: Parrotdog Birdseye
Posted 4:19pm Saturday 7th September 2024 by Chunny Bill Swilliams
Parrotdog is patriotic. It’s New Zealand owned and made, and nothing screams New Zealand more than nationwide pride in birds and an economy so dire you’ll have to sell a kidney to afford a box. There wasn’t a price listed on these bad boys, and with there only being three boxes on Read more...
Critic Bachelor: Single Coffee Dates
Posted 4:14pm Saturday 7th September 2024 by Hanna Varrs
Oh yeah, it’s coffee date season. It’s time to put away the cameras and allow the singles to have some valuable one on one time (plus me third wheeling at the end of the table). It was a bit like herding cats for this round of dates (mid-sem break, Joel’s report deleting right Read more...
Takeaways: Week 21
Posted 3:56pm Saturday 7th September 2024 by Critic
SOMETHING TO WATCH Nicolas Cage’s Filmography One Critic staff member has taken it upon themselves to watch every single Nic Cage film ever – down to a ten second appearance as an extra. The challenge of being locked in ‘The Cage’ involves over 130 films with his name Read more...
OUSA Exec: How Rising Visa Fees Will Affect You
Posted 3:53pm Saturday 7th September 2024 by Ibuki Nishida
Konnichiwa besties, International Rep Buki here. If you haven’t heard, there was a shocking announcement from the government last month that visa fees will skyrocket from the 1st of October. Student visas are doubling from $375 to $750. Post-Study Work visas are more than doubling, rising Read more...
Debatable: Battle of the $4 lunch sides: Onion Bhaji vs Samosa
Posted 2:52pm Saturday 7th September 2024 by Connor Moffat
Onion Bhaji: Connor Moffat Though Nina claims to have to bite her lip from moaning over the samosa, when it comes to choosing a hot side piece for your $4 lunch munch, the onion bhaji stands out as the superior choice. If sexual relationships with a samosa are your thing then go for it (take what Read more...
Critic Bachelor: XYZ Karaoke & Bull-riding
Posted 7:47pm Sunday 25th August 2024 by Hanna Varrs
Finally, Joel and the singles are out of the cold and into the warm embrace of XYZ Bar. It’s 6:30pm on a Wednesday, and the bar feels liminal without the usual thrum of drunk students on a Saturday night. Music plays at an awkward volume and the light-up dance floor flickers Read more...
Local Produce: RISK
Posted 7:32pm Sunday 25th August 2024 by Jordan Irvine
RISK (he/him) is one of the hottest techno/hardgrove DJs to pop out of Dunedin this year. Already, RISK (real name Angus) has been stacking up on an impressive resume, regularly playing at Carousel, U-Bar and snagging a Radio 1 Live to Air boiler room style set. Critic Te Ārohi caught up with Read more...
Mi Goreng Graduate: Macaroni Cheese
Posted 7:08pm Sunday 25th August 2024 by Ruby Hudson
Serves: 6 Time: 1 hr Price: $$ Difficulty: 2/5 With snow having made its first appearance this year, we’re all in need of a cosy meal! Macaroni cheese is the perfect dinner for this time of year. Carby, cheesy and saucy, it is a must make. This recipe should cook enough Read more...
Should TVNZ Have a Queer Bachelor/Bachelorette?
Posted 7:01pm Sunday 25th August 2024 by Hannah Mitchell
Debatable is a column written by the Otago University Debating Society. The Debating Society welcomes new members and meets at the Business School every Tuesday at 6pm. For: Hannah Mitchell In almost 50 seasons combined, The Bachelor/Bachelorette USA has yet to produce what Critic Te Read more...
Booze Reviews: Lemon Ice Grog!
Posted 6:57pm Sunday 25th August 2024 by Chunny Bill Swilliams
Grog! is the Australian version of Prime, and that means two things: one, like anything truly Australian, an obscene amount of alcohol is needed; and two, this drink has reached Hyoketsu levels of shameless breatha-targeted marketing. The pretty colours are perfect for an audience who hasn’t Read more...
Horoscopes: Week 20
Posted 6:37pm Sunday 25th August 2024 by Critic
Aquarius Taking a break from reality can sometimes do more good than harm, so absolutely check out this week. Be the personification of lights on, no one home. You may regret it next month, but you can claw yourself out of that pit when you come to it. Late-night side quest: Eat gummy vitamins and Read more...
Editorial: The Queer Issue Goes Hard
Posted 6:23pm Sunday 25th August 2024 by Nina Brown
Dunedin isn’t exactly known for its queer scene. A close friend of mine once told me that they felt unsafe walking the streets here wearing the clothes they felt most themselves in. They’ve since moved to Wellington to find a more inclusive community. At the writer’s meeting where Read more...
OUSA Exec: Presidential Address
Posted 6:11pm Sunday 25th August 2024 by Keegan Wells
I hear comments consistently about how “disengaged” students are. But I disagree. I think students have been made cripplingly poor, but not just in terms of wealth – also in terms of time. It’s led to student culture being drained without people even Read more...
Local Produce: The Daze
Posted 5:38pm Saturday 17th August 2024 by Jordan Irvine
The Daze have been making music for over two years and are continuing to make noise in Dunedin’s music scene. Formed in their hall in first-year, the band’s made up of Sam (he/him) on guitar and vocals, Ollie (he/him) on drums, Vere (he/him) on bass and vocals, and Alex (he/him) on Read more...
OUSA Exec: What Do You Care About?
Posted 5:35pm Saturday 17th August 2024 by Liam White
There’s honestly not enough space in this column to talk about this Government’s war on the environment. Conservation jobs cuts, Fast Track powers to build American superhighways, and the removal of half-price bus fares just scrape the surface. Also, surprise! Your fees are probably Read more...
Do It Your Fucking Self: Electricity 101
Posted 5:31pm Saturday 17th August 2024 by Sam Smith-Soppet
Electricity is cool as fuck. But alongside all the awesome shit it does, it can also act as a source of a whole lotta hurt – be it your hairdryer shocking you in the bathroom, your whole flat going up in flames (there’s a reason they check that shit is up to par in first-year halls), or Read more...
Debatable: Should Small Businesses Use AI Art in Advertising?
Posted 5:17pm Saturday 17th August 2024 by Hannah Twigg
Debatable is a column written by the Otago University Debating Society. The Debating Society welcomes new members and meets at the Business School every Tuesday at 6pm. For: Liam Gould AI art can be tacky and cheap but it can also be effective if used correctly. There's a reason why Read more...
Mi Goreng Graduate: Chicken Katsu
Posted 4:55pm Saturday 17th August 2024 by Ruby Hudson
Serves: 5 Time: 40 mins (max!) Price: $$ Difficulty: 1/5 (so easy yet so delicious!) Chicken katsu is such a simple and delicious meal that I guarantee will become a fan favourite. In my house we love any excuse to slather dinner in kewpie mayo, so this really is a winner all round. Read more...
Booze Review: Kingfisher Strong
Posted 4:46pm Saturday 17th August 2024 by Chunny Bill Swilliams
Kingfisher Strong, unlike the kōtare, is an allegedly exotic and foreign beer. Yes, it may be foreign, but this beverage tends to be about as exciting as that one wounder at a party showing you his Year 12 1st XV highlights on Hudl whilst unironically calling them his ‘glory Read more...
Horoscopes: Week 19
Posted 4:25pm Saturday 17th August 2024 by Critic
Aquarius The moon is screaming at you to avoid toxic friends. Now is the perfect time of the year to cut your circle down to those you actually want to be around. No point in feeding a plant you think is ugly and smells funny. Art to make: A new collaged laptop screensaver Pisces Summer Read more...
Editorial: Neoliberalism Hates Art, and I Hate Neoliberalism
Posted 4:24pm Saturday 17th August 2024 by Nina Brown
Neoliberalism is the root of all evil, and the arts have borne the brunt of it. You take any issue in the world and neoliberalism will always be sitting at the end. It’s like following a trail of wrappers to find a smug, chubby lil kid with chocolate smeared on its face. It’s why we Read more...
Critic Bachelor: Ice Skating Group Date
Posted 4:22pm Saturday 17th August 2024 by Hanna Varrs
This week on the Critic Bachelor, the next batch of singles in the second round have been sentenced to another freezing group date. But will romance warm their cold little hearts? Read on to find out! It’s 12pm on a Wednesday when Micah, Charlotte, Brad, and latecomer Amelia shuffle into Read more...
Local Produce: DJ Bax
Posted 11:38pm Saturday 10th August 2024 by Jordan Irvine
DJ Bax is one of the most exciting and revolutionary DJs in Dunedin’s electronic scene. Known for the signature DONK sound and having a great ear for remixes (as well as being the guitarist for Leo Lilley), over the past year his influence has been unprecedented. He’s been involved with Read more...
Critic Bachelor: Group Date - Peace Garden
Posted 11:35pm Saturday 10th August 2024 by Hanna Varrs
It’s 9am on a Friday when four of the remaining eight singles – Gabi, Lily, Olivia, and Jessica – are cruelly dragged out into the cold, ready to get their hands dirty in the Kia Ora/Peace Garden with some gardening and rock-painting. It’s a more casual affair this Read more...
Debatable: Should You Date Your Flatmate?
Posted 11:29pm Saturday 10th August 2024 by Abby Bowmar
Debatable is a column written by the Otago University Debating Society. The Debating Society welcomes new members and meets at the Business School every Tuesday at 6pm. For: Abby Bowmar You enjoyed being single in first-year, when you were freshly eighteen and heating was free. But now Read more...
Mi Goreng Graduate: Banana Loaf
Posted 11:18pm Saturday 10th August 2024 by Ruby Hudson
Time: 1 hr Price: $ Difficulty: 1/5 Banana loaf is an absolute classic! This recipe serves you with the perfect way to use up those neglected bananas you never got round to eating, and only takes a few minutes to whip up a tasty treat. Best served warm with a slice of butter, share with Read more...
OUSA Exec: Dunedin Needs Its Students
Posted 11:11pm Saturday 10th August 2024 by Daniel Leamy
The thought of Dunedin without its students is like imagining Wednesday nights without Pint Night or Southern Sounds without finger dips in the mosh – of fairy dust, of course. It’s just wrong on so many levels. While Dunedin may have started as a bustling, gold-rich city, what Read more...
Surveyors on the Recruitment Rark
Posted 11:08pm Saturday 10th August 2024 by Hugh Askerud
Surveying students have had one hell of a fortnight, managing to get on the piss with surveying companies’ dime. Over twenty companies (from both NZ and Aus) were in town on a recruitment spree, offering both summer internships for third-years, and graduate positions for fourth-years Read more...


