Archive

Staff and Students Praise Upgrade Plans

Posted 2:51pm Sunday 12th April 2015 by Damian George

University staff and students have voiced their support for large-scale developments scheduled to begin on campus early this month, saying any disruption will be worth it in the long run. Landscaping redevelopments from the northern end of the Richardson building to the intersection of Castle Read more...

In My Opinion: Henry’s word | Issue 6

Posted 1:39pm Friday 10th April 2015 by Henry Napier

T he Green Party is naming a new co-leader come July. The appointment of a new face also brings forth the possibility of a new direction. Over the past decade the Greens have made huge strides in growing their support and refining their message. Yet it’s a fair assumption that this may be the Read more...

Healthy Homes Bill Also Fails

Posted 1:39pm Friday 10th April 2015 by Henry Napier

The Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill failed to pass its first reading in parliament on Wednesday 18 March. The house was split on the issue, with the bill receiving 60 votes for and 60 votes against. In order to pass, however, a bill needs a majority vote. The aim of the bill was to impose a Read more...

The Backwards Step for Uni Councils

Posted 3:11pm Sunday 29th March 2015 by Joe Higham

T he government has passed the Education Amendment Act (No. 2) 2015, which, among other things, will reduce university and wānanga councils nationwide. A key aspect of this is that universities are no longer required to have seats on their councils for staff and students. When the Read more...

It’s the Final Countdown…

Posted 3:11pm Sunday 29th March 2015 by Daniel Lormans

No, we are not talking about the catchy Swedish pop-metal anthem that peaked at number 12 on the New Zealand Charts in 1987 (and may still get pumped into the Zoo on the odd occasion). This week we are talking about Europe’s top domestic football leagues, which are into their final countdown towards Read more...

Kids Probably Going To Stay Cold and Hungry

Posted 3:11pm Sunday 29th March 2015 by Henry Napier

“Feed the Kids” Bill Fails First Reading National Says It’s a Parent’s Job T he Feed the Kids bill, officially known as the Education (Breakfast and Lunch Programmes in Schools) Amendment Bill, was voted down by parliament in its first reading last week. The bill proposed Read more...

A Date with Nicky Hager

Posted 3:11pm Sunday 29th March 2015 by Zahra Shahtahmasebi

Last week, Zahra Shahtahmasebi caught up with investigative journalist, Nicky Hager. Hager is most known for his books Secrets and Lies, The Hollow Men, Seeds of Distrust and last year’s Dirty Politics. Recently, Hager has been working with computer professional and whistleblower, Edward Snowden, to Read more...

Stocks Erected in Memory of Former Proctor

Posted 3:11pm Sunday 29th March 2015 by Amber Allott

A set of stocks, emblazoned with the words “Proctorial Justice” in large gold letters, have been erected outside the proctor’s office. Unveiled at a ceremony on 25 March, the stocks were erected to commemorate the life and service of former Proctor Ron Chambers. Chambers, who Read more...

Proctology | Issue 6

Posted 3:11pm Sunday 29th March 2015 by Laura Munro

H yde Street 2015 has been a success, despite the media coverage in the days after the event. “It was in general a good fun event,” the proctor said. “Most people that went enjoyed it.” The proctor spoke of the media taking “excessive delight in highlighting the few problems” that Read more...

Fundraiser for Pam Victims

Posted 3:11pm Sunday 29th March 2015 by Bridie Boyd

L ast Monday the University of Otago held a concert to raise funds for Pacific Island nations. On 13 March, Cyclone Pam hit Tuvalu, the Solomon Islands, Kiribati and Vanuatu. Vanuatu was hit the hardest, with around 132,000 people affected. Pam was the worst natural disaster to ever hit the Read more...

Teaching Students Want To Go To Class Camp

Posted 3:11pm Sunday 29th March 2015 by Joe Higham

The College of Education has come under fire from students after final-year teaching students were refused official study leave to attend school camps. Sandor Toth, who has recently returned from a school camp despite not being granted leave, has criticised the school for not accepting what he says Read more...

Execrable | Issue 6

Posted 3:11pm Sunday 29th March 2015 by Laura Munro

This week’s executive meeting was delayed for a few days due to “weekend activities causing fatigue.” Judging by the images on our Facebook page, Critic assumes the fatigue was alcohol-related. The meeting began with the executives, the whole five who attended, breaking down the hours of work Read more...

Government Offers 90c to Solve Rent Crisis

Posted 3:11pm Sunday 29th March 2015 by Laura Munro

StudyLink’s Annual General Adjustment is set to come into effect from 1 April 2015, meaning that student allowances and student loan living costs will rise just 0.51 per cent. Social Development Minister Anne Tolley announced this year’s increase, stating: “Rates and thresholds for Read more...

Bouncing off the Halls

Posted 6:33pm Sunday 22nd March 2015 by Staff Reporter

Toroa College gets us off to a terrific start, with rampant stories of debauchery echoing from every dingy corner. One night in the “party unit” and things quickly got out of hand, with a few frothing freshers punching holes in the roof and just generally tearing up the place. With what Read more...

By-Election Nominations

Posted 6:33pm Sunday 22nd March 2015 by Staff Reporter

Following the departure of the OUSA Postgraduate Office Claire Mitchell last month, and OUSA’s International Officer vacancy for over a year, a by-election is being held for the two positions. Nominations closed last Thursday and the competition is fierce. We wish all candidates the best of luck Read more...

No Shortage of Sports

Posted 5:43pm Sunday 22nd March 2015 by Daniel Lormans

Highlanders Continue to Impress … After a good night out last week, I was woken up outrageously early the next morning thinking there was an albatross or one of Daenerys’ dragons attempting to nest on our roof. Upon investigation I found that it was just the Sky TV man installing a new satellite Read more...

Green Co-Leadership Contest

Posted 5:43pm Sunday 22nd March 2015 by Henry Napier

In January of this year, the Green Party co-leader Russel Norman announced his resignation. Although he will remain as a list MP for the party, his decade-long run as co-leader will come to an end in May. Norman highlighted it was time to “find a new challenge for [himself].” He also stated Read more...

The CCTV Debate

Posted 5:43pm Sunday 22nd March 2015 by Joe Higham

Closed-circuit television, or CCTV, is a method of recording the events that occur in a specific area. In particular, the cameras are used to monitor criminal activity. One of the largest users of CCTV in the world is the United Kingdom, which, according to Big Brother Watch, a privacy pressure Read more...

Failure to Launch

Posted 5:43pm Sunday 22nd March 2015 by Oliver Gaskell

T he National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) launch of a Super Pressure Balloon (SPB) was recently delayed due to concerns about the impact of Cyclone Pam. The launch, which was scheduled to take place on Sunday 15 March, was delayed until Friday 20 March. The balloon was Read more...

NZUSA President Makes Final Plea for Membership

Posted 5:43pm Sunday 22nd March 2015 by Laura Munro

Last week, New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA) President Rory McCourt met with OUSA regarding its withdrawal from NZUSA last year, shortly after VUWSA (Victoria University Students’ Association) also withdrew. NZUSA’s constitution states: “A constituent member may terminate its Read more...