Archive
SPCA Investigates Claims of Expo Animal Abuse
Posted 6:59pm Saturday 13th July 2024 by Hanna Varrs
A recent ‘Exotic Pet Expo’ in the North East Valley has caused community uproar as allegations of false advertising and animal abuse pour in from community members. Organiser Amelia Seales, who has run the event twice before, has firmly denied any wrong-doing. The expo, held on Read more...
OUSA Criticises Residential Tenancies Amendment Act
Posted 6:56pm Saturday 13th July 2024 by Hugh Askerud
The OUSA Student Exec recently submitted on the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill in opposition to its proposed introduction of no-cause evictions. It’s exactly what it sounds like: the bill would allow landlords to evict tenants without needing to give a reason. Critic Te Ārohi spoke Read more...
Student Exec Turn In Second Quarterly Reports
Posted 6:53pm Saturday 13th July 2024 by Hugh Askerud
Is it that time already? OUSA second quarterly reports are in (most of them), and we’re here to give you an insight into what our student dictators have been doing/not doing in the time you’ve been pilfering snacks from your parents' pantry. Buckle up for a rootin’ Read more...
Otago Uni Releases Statement on Free Speech
Posted 6:47pm Saturday 13th July 2024 by Hugh Askerud
In a flying start at his first Uni Council meeting last Tuesday, new Vice-Chancellor Grant Robertson (GRob for short) approved the ‘University of Otago Statement on Free Speech’. Free speech advocates have since come out calling it the “gold standard” of policies. The Read more...
Grant Robertson Begins Appointment as New VC
Posted 3:20pm Monday 1st July 2024 by Nina Brown
Today marks Grant Robertson’s official first day as the incoming Vice Chancellor for Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka. Mana whenua hosted a pōwhiri for Grant at Ōtākou Marae this morning on Otago Peninsula, an event that OUSA President Keegan Wells noted saw some Read more...
Streaker Carnage Causes Nose Break
Posted 8:20pm Sunday 26th May 2024 by Gryffin Blockley
Sources are keeping quiet in the wake of an ongoing legal proceeding involving an alleged broken nose at the hands of a streaker during the Highlanders vs Crusaders game on May 11th. Cracker of a Zoo turn-out, by the way. At the game in question, 11 streakers took to the field, two of whom Read more...
Gone Rogue! Host Flat of Ball Wrecked
Posted 8:18pm Sunday 26th May 2024 by Harriette Boucher
A renowned Castle Street flat (let’s call them ‘The Elephant’*) were in shock after finding 14 smashed windows, pieces of their walls, heaters, and their fire alarm ripped out, in the wake of their annual ball. The annual ball that has reportedly been running since 2015 Read more...
Otago Joins Nationwide Tertiary Palestine Protest
Posted 7:35pm Sunday 26th May 2024 by Hanna Varrs
Muslim Student Associations across Aotearoa New Zealand banded together last Thursday, May 23rd, to rally for Palestine. The rally is the brain-child of a meeting that took place in Wellington on the 12th of May, in which the presidents of Muslim Student Associations collectively decided on a Read more...
Night at the Museum: Hoedown After Dark
Posted 7:34pm Sunday 26th May 2024 by Hanna Varrs
On a cold, breezy night, Critic Te Ārohi strapped on RM Williams boots and Harry Styles-esque cowgirl hats and wandered on over to the biggest event the country folk of Dunedin have ever seen: the Hoedown After Dark, held by the Tūhura Otago Museum and OUSA. Hosted from 7-10pm on Read more...
EXCLUSIVE! Salacious OUSA Exec Quotes
Posted 7:32pm Sunday 26th May 2024 by Hugh Askerud
It’s difficult to know what else lies behind the big green door of our OUSA overlords (exec). Love? Gossip? Rivalry? Sex? Murder? Armed with a pen, a notepad, and explicit orders from the editor to source a tabloid-worthy insider scoop, Critic Te Ārohi’s News Editor went to find out Read more...
Eggspiracy Afoot!
Posted 7:28pm Sunday 26th May 2024 by Jonathan McCabe
Students are concerned an eggspiracy is afoot after Farmer Brown launched a campaign selling eight packs of eggs in LEGO block shaped cartons. Concerns have also been raised about the environmental impact of the cartons, with student murmurs protesting the lack of environmental impetus the egg Read more...
Junior Doc Strikes Have Med Students “Concerned”
Posted 7:27pm Sunday 26th May 2024 by Hugh Askerud
Junior doctors across the country have been protesting harsh working conditions and pay cuts, much to the concern of med students about to enter the health sector. Lamenting government changes and the already brutally challenging circumstances, one student Emily* said she was “not sure how Read more...
Pending: Closed Captioned Lecture Recordings Policy
Posted 7:24pm Sunday 26th May 2024 by Nina Brown
Academic Rep Stella Lynch is rolling up her sleeves to advocate for a University of Otago policy that would make recordings with closed captions mandatory for all lectures, with exceptions in cases of privacy concerns. Her plan includes an impending consultation process for staff and students, and Read more...
Pint Night Cancelled to Student Uproar!
Posted 10:34pm Sunday 19th May 2024 by Gryffin Blockley
The fiercely loyal Pint Night community were in shock last week after U-Bar staff announced that Pint Night would be cancelled. The announcement comes after U-Bar was closed on Wednesday the 8th of May, for “maintenance work and improvements.” U-Bar management have reported that they Read more...
Criminology Society Publish Petition Protesting Youth Bootcamps
Posted 10:32pm Sunday 19th May 2024 by Angus Rees
The Criminological Society of Otago (CSOO) has published a petition to the House of Representatives against the impending reintroduction of youth offender boot camps. CSOO is asking the government not to implement them, and “instead address the issues of inequality and deprivation that create Read more...
Ex-Critic Food Columnist Releases Cookbook
Posted 10:26pm Sunday 19th May 2024 by Harriette Boucher
Fuck, Alice Taylor can cook. The former Otago Uni student and Critic Te Ārohi food columnist turned chef released a baking book ‘Alice in Cakeland’ last month. This has come after Alice took a whirlwind journey from University, to Masterchef stardom, to cooking in some of the Read more...
Rip Scares Prompt Water Safety Advice
Posted 10:06pm Sunday 19th May 2024 by Sam Smith-Soppet
Dunedin is host to a swathe of beautiful swimming and surfing beaches. However, two recent stories of beach-going students’ near misses with rips have prompted local surf clubs to warn students to stay safe when swimming in the ocean. Cam, a second-year Physio student, told Critic of Read more...
OUSA Referendum Incoming
Posted 10:03pm Sunday 19th May 2024 by Nina Brown
On May 27th, the OUSA Referendum will be up and running. Students will be sent the link to an online survey, giving you the ability to vote on matters close to home like accessibility, cost of living, academia, and recreation. It’s a bit like the Critic Census, but with lawyers and tangible Read more...
Cosy Dell Creeper Lurks Over to Queen
Posted 10:01pm Sunday 19th May 2024 by Hugh Askerud
The Cosy Dell Creepers are reportedly extending their range, with multiple sources confirming that the figure has been snooping around flats on Queen St. The figure has been reportedly sighted in locations near Prospect Park, a pitch-black field located on the end of Queen St, allegedly prompting a Read more...
North D Speed Cam Catches 207 in 30 Minutes
Posted 9:59pm Sunday 19th May 2024 by Gabrielle Scott
207 motorists were caught speeding in the span of 30 minutes in the North Dunedin area thanks to Transport Minister Simeon Brown’s targeted speed restriction plan. It was reported that almost seven speedsters were caught every minute to the dismay of Senior Sergeant Karl Read more...

