Archive

‘Everything Room’ Activists Appear in Court

Posted 3:34pm Sunday 13th August 2023 by Zak Rudin

Three protesters arrested for damaging University of Otago property appeared at the District Court Tuesday, August 8. Around 20 supporters were there in solidarity.    Third-year student Jowan Nute and non-students Liam Scaife and Carl Naus were arrested Tuesday, August 1, for Read more...

‘Everything Room’ Activists Appear In Court

Posted 5:40pm Tuesday 8th August 2023 by Zak Rudin

Three protesters arrested for damaging University of Otago property appeared at the District Court Tuesday, August 8. Around 20 supporters were there in solidarity.  Third-year student Jowan Nute and non-students Liam Scaife and Carl Naus were arrested Tuesday, August 1, for intentional Read more...

Med Revue Reviewed

Posted 3:52pm Tuesday 8th August 2023 by Zak Rudin

Med revue, the annual showcase of med students trying to prove they have a sense of humor, was performed to students, friends and family last weekend. With nothing better to do on a Saturday night, Critic Te Ārohi went along to the finale.  Keeping with tradition, the main plot Read more...

33 Boys, 42 Kilometres, 50 Grand

Posted 2:20pm Monday 7th August 2023 by Nina Brown

A group of 33 third-year boys have raised over $50k and counting for the Spark That Chat mental health campaign while training for the Emerson’s Dunedin Marathon in September. We note that that’s enough to pay for all the stolen road cones.    Will, Josh, Jamie and Sam, Read more...

The Great Dunedin Nitro Conspiracy

Posted 2:19pm Monday 7th August 2023 by Nina Brown

In issue 15 (the one with the rad skiing rat on the cover from a few weeks ago) we published in the TL;DR section of the news that the DCC and Police were allegedly trying to phase out the sale of Nitro. This was inaccurate, and we apologise for any upset caused by this news. But we had good reason Read more...

Numbers are Boring: Especially the ones that say you lost

Posted 2:09pm Monday 7th August 2023 by Ollie McKenna

One of the most prestigious sporting organisations in the world graced Forsyth Barr in the past few weeks: FIFA. A look on Wikipedia might suggest that Dunedin may not have been the most successful choice of venue based on the game stats. But while numbers are boring (though maybe not as boring as Read more...

In the Trenches of Barbie

Posted 2:04pm Monday 7th August 2023 by Anna Robertshawe

It was a Sunday eve. A slight drizzle sprinkled the still, cold air. Civilians strolled around the Octagon. Armed with their e-tickets and pink uniforms, Barbie militia were beginning to mark their territory. Little did it know, Rialto Cinema was about to be shell-shocked. Critic sent our slayest Read more...

Three People Arrested Protesting Uni “Mismanagement”

Posted 1:53pm Wednesday 2nd August 2023 by Zak Rudin

Three people, including one student, were arrested for intentional damage on Tuesday afternoon. The arrests came after a group of mostly students “repurposed” a disused office block on the second floor of the Business School by painting the walls to protest staff cuts and Read more...

Heartbreak for the Otago Nuggets in Semi-Final

Posted 2:04pm Monday 31st July 2023 by Hugh Askerud

Dreams were crushed in Auckland on Saturday, July 22, when the embattled Otago Nuggets found themselves at the tail end of a 114-103 loss to the Canterbury Rams. Critic Te Ārohi can’t believe it either. A team that started the season with seven straight wins in the Sals National Read more...

Otago Targets Geology Department with 30% Staff Cuts

Posted 2:03pm Monday 31st July 2023 by Fox Meyer

Otago University was founded on geology and medicine, and has recently targeted both with considerable budget cuts.   According to documents seen by Critic Te Ārohi, the Geology Department is facing a proposed reduction of about a third of their staff, despite boasting the title of Read more...

Student Locked in Eleven Bar Shares Story

Posted 2:01pm Monday 31st July 2023 by Critic

CW: This story contains descriptions of sexual harassment Eleven Bar’s liquor licence has not been renewed following the Dunedin District Licensing Committee’s decision that the nightclub is “unsuitable” to supply and sell alcohol to students and the general Read more...

Student to Get the Dogs Out for Dunedin Half-Marathon

Posted 1:59pm Monday 31st July 2023 by Hugh Askerud

In the upcoming Dunedin half-marathon on September 10, third-year Geography student Christian plans on running barefoot in the name of mental health awareness. Most of us will barely leave the house to put the bins out without chucking on a pair of slippers (there’s glass around these parts, Read more...

SOULS Resuming Relationship With Russell McVeagh

Posted 4:19pm Monday 24th July 2023 by Zak Rudin

The Society of Otago University Law Students (SOULS) have announced that they will resume their relationship with law firm Russell McVeagh. SOULS cut ties with the firm back in 2018 after multiple students - including one from Otago - raised allegations of sexual harassment.    The Read more...

Re-O-Roundup

Posted 4:15pm Monday 24th July 2023 by Hugh Askerud

What a lady, what a night. A sentiment I’m sure many found themselves uttering as they progressed further and further into the maddeningly obscene antics of the Re-O Week scene on Castle. Yes, Re-O Week came to live up to the hype we all expected, providing all sorts of thrills and spills for Read more...

Castle Roof Blaze Quelled by Campus Watch

Posted 4:10pm Monday 24th July 2023 by Hugh Askerud

Tragedy struck at Doll’s House on the Tuesday of Re-O Week when the roof of the infamous flat was set on fire, having been shot with a series of fireworks. Police were quickly on the scene as the event transpired. It proved to be Campus Watch, however, who eventually stamped the fire out after Read more...

Student Scammed Out of Life Savings

Posted 4:07pm Monday 24th July 2023 by Nina Brown

Third-year Law student Cassie* has warned others to watch out for online phishing scams after scammers scooped $17k out of her bank account - her life savings. “They’re the scum of the Earth in my eyes,” she told Critic Te Ārohi, despite her friend’s condolences that it Read more...

Countdown Central Declares They Hate Self-Expression

Posted 10:06pm Tuesday 18th July 2023 by Remy the Rat

After years of allowing them to exist on the Moray Place side of Countdown, the supermarket has finally decided to purge the wall of its posters.    Posters promoting local events and gigs, activism and art were common here. The postering spot was the largest stretch in the city, as Read more...

Year 13s Invade Castle Street, Seeking Thrills

Posted 10:03pm Tuesday 18th July 2023 by Hugh Askerud

Never before have there been so many students claiming to be first year health sci students on Castle St. Why would anyone make such an absurd claim, you ask? It’s likely because they’re not even students.    Recently, there has been a significant upturn in the amount of Read more...

Horseplay in Uni Council Meeting!

Posted 10:02pm Tuesday 18th July 2023 by Fox Meyer

At a packed Uni Council meeting last week, Otago confirmed that it would be going ahead with the million-dollar rebrand. Student protesters - dressed as pigs and horses - refused to leave the chamber after the announcement, protesting staff cuts. It was truly a dog and pony show, but in the end, Read more...

A Response from Tim Fowler, Chief Executive of the Tertiary Education Commission

Posted 1:19pm Sunday 9th July 2023 by Critic

I read Zak Rudin’s Critic Te Ārohi article with interest (‘MINOR CONFUSION! Announcement elicits fears’). As the person who apparently said several things quoted, I want to set the record straight, as a number of comments have been misinterpreted, conflated and confused in the Read more...

Okay, Now That Landlord Website is Really Shut Down

Posted 12:59pm Sunday 9th July 2023 by Nina Brown

A website detailing how many properties your landlord owns has been shut down following discourse with the Deputy Privacy Commissioner. The founders of the website believe this decision was “influenced by landlords and property developers”.   A press release from the founders Read more...

Science Communication Department Fears the Axe

Posted 12:54pm Sunday 9th July 2023 by Nina Brown

Disclaimer: The author of this article is a postgraduate science communication student.    Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past couple months, you’ll be well aware of the financial shitshow ($60 million deficit) that has forced Otago Uni to make some Read more...

Greenie Grandma Found Guilty

Posted 12:52pm Sunday 9th July 2023 by Nina Brown

Local greenie grandma Rosemary Penwarden was found guilty of forgery by a recent Dunedin High Court trial. Rosemary sent a fake letter in 2019 to attendees of an oil conference in Queenstown telling them it had been postponed due to the climate crisis. Though the letter was meant to be satirical, Read more...

Science Communication Department Fears the Axe

Posted 4:10pm Thursday 6th July 2023 by Nina Brown

Disclaimer: The author of this article is a postgraduate science communication student.   Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past couple months, you’ll be well aware of the financial shitshow ($60 million deficit) that has forced Otago Uni to make some serious Read more...

Correction from Tim Fowler

Posted 9:28am Tuesday 13th June 2023 by Fox Meyer

This letter was sent on May 31, 2023, and has been copied below exactly as it was written. Tēnā koe Fox, I read Zak Rudin’s Critic Te Ārohi article with interest (MINOR CONFUSION! Announcement elicits fears). As the person who apparently said several things quoted, I want Read more...

SHOCKING! OUSA’s General Meeting Met Quorum!

Posted 6:32pm Monday 29th May 2023 by Nina Brown

Last Monday was the OUSA Annual General Meeting and, contrary to the expectations of most, it actually went ahead. AGMs need 0.5% of the student body to show up to go ahead (called quorum) and the final head count was 106 - a whole one member over the bare minimum! Hosting the meeting during Auahi Read more...

“Scandalous”: $355 Million for Tertiary Sector Reappropriated

Posted 6:29pm Monday 29th May 2023 by Fox Meyer

Otago Uni Associate Professor Brian Roper claims that $355 million budgeted towards tertiary education is going unspent. This is enough money to bail out Otago, Vic, Canterbury, and Massey universities almost three times over. Each. And it was literally in the 2022 budget. Seriously, these documents Read more...

EXCLUSIVE: Capping Show Review

Posted 6:11pm Monday 29th May 2023 by Zak Rudin

It’s that time of year again. Critic Te Ārohi joined around 200 (that’s double last year's opening! Wow!) students, parents, and grandparents on opening night for the annual Capping Show. The night was complete with sex jokes, singing, dancing, mimes, free juice, and even more Read more...

FIGHT! New Group aims to Fight Cuts

Posted 6:07pm Monday 29th May 2023 by Zak Rudin

At 20 members strong, Protect Otago Action Group (or POAG) has formed to fight back against the Uni’s projected staff layoffs in light of their $60 million debt. POAG member Tyler told Critic Te Ārohi that they have a “three pronged campaign” to reversing the proposed staff Read more...

MINOR CONFUSION! Announcement Elicits Fears

Posted 6:01pm Monday 29th May 2023 by Zak Rudin

The Uni is possibly considering raising student fees to help with the $60 million funding shortfall. Brandon, President of the Ōtepoti Tertiary Education Union (TEU) branch, was at a TEU conference meeting where an announcement was made that seemed to indicate this. Tim Fowler, executive head Read more...

SILENCED! Castle Boys Speak Out

Posted 5:01pm Monday 29th May 2023 by Hugh Askerud

Love it or hate it (most likely the latter) the sound of 40cc motorcycles on Leith Street has become a fundamental aspect of second-year culture. For this, residents can thank The Castle, a flat which provides a seemingly inexhaustible source of entertainment for Leith St residents who happen to Read more...

$355 Million for Tertiary Sector Reappropriated

Posted 6:59pm Thursday 25th May 2023 by Fox Meyer

Otago Uni Associate Professor Brian Roper claims that $355 million budgeted towards tertiary education is going unspent. This is enough money to bail out Otago, Vic, Canterbury, and Massey universities. Three times. And it was literally in the 2022 budget. Seriously, these documents are public and Read more...

EXCLUSIVE: Capping Show Review

Posted 1:58pm Tuesday 23rd May 2023 by Zak Rudin

It’s that time of year again. Critic Te Ārohi joined around 200 (that’s double last year's opening! Wow!) students, parents, and grandparents on opening night for the annual Capping Show. The night was complete with sex jokes, singing, dancing, mimes, free juice, and even more Read more...

Ding-Dong-Ditchers Invade Castle Street

Posted 3:59pm Sunday 21st May 2023 by Hugh Askerud

Knock-knock. Who’s there? No, it’s not your Uber Eats or your sneaky link: it’s two old men who have engaged in the slightly pathetic art of ding-dong-ditching your flat! No, your eyes do not deceive you; a pair of older gentlemen have been spotted roaming the streets of Castle Read more...

Government Announces ‘Bread and Butter’ Budget:

Posted 3:56pm Sunday 21st May 2023 by Annabelle Vaughan

(The Really Short Version) Last Thursday, the Government released Budget 2023: ‘Supporting for today, building for tomorrow’. Coming ahead of the general election in October, and amidst the ever-growing cost of living, Budget 2023 has avoided Big And Scary topics like Capital Gains Read more...

OUSA Student General Meeting is Here

Posted 3:44pm Sunday 21st May 2023 by Nina Brown

The OUSA annual student general meeting is this Tuesday, May 23, at 5:30pm in Auahi Ora (the new food court where Union Grill used to be). There’s also going to be a quiz night there directly afterward - with prizes! Congratulations on engaging in student politics! It’ll be happy hour Read more...

Graduation Walk Diverted by Cones

Posted 3:21pm Sunday 21st May 2023 by Zak Rudin

This year’s graduation ceremony could not follow the traditional, glamorous path down George Street. Instead, the procession started at First Church and walked around to the Moray Place entrance of the Town Hall. According to a Uni spokesperson, this was due to the George Street revamp. You Read more...

Coup Leader Steps Down

Posted 3:17pm Sunday 21st May 2023 by Fox Meyer

Reid, OUSA’s Clubs and Socs Representative, is stepping down from his role. He told Critic Te Ārohi that he would be returning to his home in the USA before next semester to take up another job offer, but we think it’s probably something shadier than that. Reid has a long history Read more...

OUSA, TEU Protest Uni Cuts

Posted 3:29pm Sunday 14th May 2023 by Hugh Askerud

In a day of dual protests, OUSA members marched on the office of local Labour MP David Clark and Tertiary Education Union (TEU) members headed to the Clocktower. University admin received plenty of blame for their current financial woes, but most critiques and calls for action were directed at Read more...

Nine Streakers at “Most Cooked Game Ever”

Posted 3:25pm Sunday 14th May 2023 by Hugh Askerud

Nine streakers blessed spectators of the Highlanders vs Chiefs bout on Friday, May 5, who roared onto the field during the game (fully clothed) on three separate occasions - before being promptly clobbered by an ostensibly brutish security force. Though motives for the streaking remain a mystery, Read more...

New ‘Rat King Landlord’ Just Dropped

Posted 3:22pm Sunday 14th May 2023 by Zak Rudin

A brand-new issue of ‘Rat King Landlord’, written by Murdock Stephens, hit the streets of Ōtepoti on Friday, May 5. Originally published in 2020, the novel-turned-tabloid-newspaper is a comedic satirical story about a rat that becomes a landlord. But behind the layers of satire Read more...

Prospective Students Deterred by Staff Cuts

Posted 3:04pm Sunday 14th May 2023 by Nina Brown

If you were on campus last Monday, chances are you tripped over a highschooler gawking at a map of the Uni with their mum. Critic Te Ārohi took the opportunity to ambush prospective students (prospies) to see if the incoming staff cuts had influenced their uni decisions. While most Read more...

Students take over Pequeño

Posted 3:00pm Sunday 14th May 2023 by Nina Brown

Your local speakeasy vibe has come under new management. As of Monday, May 15, student couple Jaz and Alex are taking the wheel of Pequeño. The pair want to acknowledge the “heritage” of Pequeño while bringing a “bit of love to it”, as the bar has been open Read more...

Capping Show’s Round the Corner (Again)

Posted 2:58pm Sunday 14th May 2023 by Nina Brown

Capping Show is back this week for its 129th year. Critic Te Ārohi chatted with Tucker, one of the four directors of this year’s show. For those who don’t know, the Capping Show is the longest running student review in the world (allegedly). “It’s gone through both Read more...

OUSA, TEU Protest Staff Cuts

Posted 4:53pm Tuesday 9th May 2023 by Hugh Askerud

In a day of dual protests, OUSA members marched on the office of local Labour MP David Clark and Tertiary Education Union (TEU) members headed to the Clocktower. University admin received plenty of blame for their current financial woes, but most critiques and calls for action were directed at Read more...

Prospective Students Deterred by Staff Cuts

Posted 5:06pm Monday 8th May 2023 by Nina Brown

If you were on campus last Monday, chances are you tripped over a highschooler gawking at a map of the Uni with their mum. Critic Te Ārohi took the opportunity to ambush prospective students (prospies) to see if the incoming staff cuts had influenced their Uni decisions.   While most Read more...

Uni Budget Cuts Provoke Outcry

Posted 2:08pm Sunday 7th May 2023 by Zak Rudin

A panel of staff and students slammed the Uni for its funding cuts at OUSA last Monday, May 1. The Uni is set to cut $60 million from their budget this year, resulting in sweeping job losses across all departments. In response, around 25 people (mostly students) went to the ‘May Day Read more...

Landlords are (Once Again) Pressuring Students to Sign Early

Posted 2:06pm Sunday 7th May 2023 by Rosa Hehir

It’s that time of year again: students are feeling the pressure to decide whether to re-sign or leave their current flats for 2024. If you’re on a fixed-term lease, you don’t actually need to do this until 28 days before departure. Critic Te Ārohi spoke to a couple students Read more...

Student Petitions for Accessible ADHD Assessment

Posted 1:35pm Sunday 7th May 2023 by Hugh Askerud

Otago Uni student Jasmine has put forward a petition to parliament to make ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) assessments more accessible and affordable in Aotearoa. At time of writing, her petition - which will close on July 1st - has the backing of 2049 signatures. Jas’ petition seeks Read more...

Scabies Outbreak Divides Student Government

Posted 1:32pm Sunday 7th May 2023 by Fox Meyer

An outbreak of scabies is causing rifts within the 2023 OUSA Student Executive team. The team, once tight-knit over their controversial rise to power, is divided along party lines. Reid, the Clubs and Socs rep, campaigned on the promise of ‘Scabies-Free 2050’, but Welfare and Equity Read more...