Archive

Tickets? More like clique-ets

Posted 11:01am Saturday 17th September 2016 by Sam McChesney

My judgement is, to put it mildly, questionable. One of my desert island films is The Room, I’ve recently rekindled a long-suppressed enjoyment of the Spice Girls, and I want Gilda Kirkpatrick to be my life coach. I like to call myself a connoisseur of guilty pleasures; you could just say that Read more...

N. Korea nuclear ambitions: This time’s different & no one knows what to do

Posted 10:55am Saturday 17th September 2016 by George Elliott

On the September 9, North Korea conducted its biggest test of a nuclear weapon to date. The yield of the nuclear device is estimated at around 20 to 30 kilotons of TNT, more than ten times the size of the country’s first test in 2006, raising fears and prompting calls for fresh diplomacy with Read more...

Missing: grey rectangles

Posted 10:49am Saturday 17th September 2016 by Critic

Police are seeking the owners of a number of items they suspect were stolen from North Dunedin flats in the last several weeks.  A man was driving a scooter when he was stopped by police on Albany Street, North Dunedin, according to a Police Media Centre statement, along with several Read more...

More government funding for random drunk hook-ups

Posted 10:42am Saturday 17th September 2016 by Joel MacManus

Parliament is considering the repeal of a controversial measure which penalises mothers applying for child support who do not know the identity of the father.  Under the Social Securities Act, sole parents who do not name the father when applying to WINZ are docked $22 a week from their Read more...

‘Your Voice’ posters torn down

Posted 10:37am Saturday 17th September 2016 by Joel MacManus

The ‘Your Voice’ ticket, led by Presidential candidate Lark Hare in the OUSA election, has had 28 of their campaign posters around campus torn down, largely those in the Castle Lecture Theatres, according to Bryn Jenkins, who is the Your Voice candidate for Education Officer. He says it Read more...

Otago University Council votes to divest from fossil fuels

Posted 10:34am Saturday 17th September 2016 by Joe Higham

The Otago University Council has voted in favour of committing to divest from fossil fuels within its investment portfolio. The university downplayed the significance of the decision, assuring everyone affiliated with the university that they have “no investments in fossil fuels” Read more...

Presidential Election Forum

Posted 10:32am Saturday 17th September 2016 by Joe Higham

The OUSA Election Forums that ran last week, were a chance for students to hear what the candidates running for the 2017 OUSA Executive are pledging to do if they are elected. Hugh Baird is the editor of Critic*, and is running on the ‘Hugh Baird for President’ ticket alongside Read more...

Sir Gordon Tietjens calls quits on stellar career

Posted 11:00am Saturday 10th September 2016 by Hugh Baird

Sir Gordon Tietjens has finally called stumps as coach of the New Zealand Sevens team, after an unprecedented 22 years behind the reins. During his time as coach, Sir Gordon led the side to four Commonwealth gold medals, two Rugby World Cup Sevens titles and 12 World Rugby Sevens Series Read more...

Opinion: Warriors prove their consistency

Posted 10:55am Saturday 10th September 2016 by Sean Nugent

This was supposed to be the year that the Warriors finally turned it around and made a serious push at not only the playoffs, but also at the NRL title. Yet, following the conclusion of their embarrassing 40-18 loss to Parramatta last weekend, the Warriors found themselves out of the playoffs for Read more...

Hong Kong’s revolution alive & well

Posted 10:51am Saturday 10th September 2016 by George Elliott

For about 80 days in late 2014, hundreds of thousands of mostly young Hong Kongers took to the streets in an unprecedented act of protest against China’s rule over the semiautonomous territory and the increasing detrimental effects of late capitalism. The student-led occupation of streets Read more...

NZ First’s time to shine in an age of populism?

Posted 10:48am Saturday 10th September 2016 by George Elliott

Order is crumbling. The democratic world is in disarray. Neoliberal capitalism, academia’s Marxist identity politics, immigrants, the expert elite - they’re all dragging us into an abyss. Only the toughest ‘anti-politician’ politician will rise to lead us in our anger, our Read more...

German Chancellor Angela Merkel defends immigration policy

Posted 10:40am Saturday 10th September 2016 by Joel MacManus

Angela Merkel has laid down a strong defence of her immigration policy after witnessing the dramatic rise of right-wing parties in Germany’s regional election in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The country’s most popular right-wing party, Alternative für Deutschland, Read more...

Quarterback's protest moves beyond football field

Posted 10:39am Saturday 10th September 2016 by Tom Kitchin

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s decision to not stand for the national anthem before games has caused debate in America. During the team’s most recent matches, Kaepernick has either sat down or kneeled during the anthem to protest against racial injustices in the Read more...

A bit of beef at the beach

Posted 10:36am Saturday 10th September 2016 by Anonymous Bird

Multiple cows have washed up on Dunedin beaches in recent weeks, with local residents confused as to how they got there.  As many as three cows were washed up on St Clair beach, with two others appearing in the Lawyer’s Head and Tomohawk areas. Brian Benn, Senior Sergeant of Read more...

Mt Eden Prison suggested as shelter for homeless

Posted 10:34am Saturday 10th September 2016 by Joe Higham

The derelict grounds of Mt Eden Prison could be used to shelter the homeless, according to submissions from a cross-party inquiry into homelessness.  Submissions to the inquiry will “initially be heard in person at four locations: Te Puea Marae in Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, and Read more...

John Key calls Australian PM his “BFF Forever”

Posted 10:32am Saturday 10th September 2016 by Joel MacManus

Drama broke out on the international relations front after Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull tweeted a picture of himself with newly appointed UK leader Theresa May, with the caption “There couldn’t be two countries with closer bonds than Australia and Britain”. A heartbroken John Read more...

Cost of homelessness more than anyone at Critic will earn in a year, ever

Posted 10:29am Saturday 10th September 2016 by Joe Higham

The Government has stated that it will consider a report by opposition MPs on homelessness, despite being unconvinced with the originality of its findings. It found that each homeless person in New Zealand is costing the taxpayer up to $65,000 per year, a figure that, if correct, would likely Read more...

How Newshub started a national body shaming campaign against two university students for daring to be skinny

Posted 10:27am Saturday 10th September 2016 by Joel MacManus

Last week, Farmers posted a photo on their Facebook page to promote dresses from the new Andrea Moore collection. The models were twins and 21 year old students at Auckland University students. Unfortunately, as internet commentators are want to do, the post had a bunch of negative comments Read more...

Otago University & DCC to collaborate to clean up North Dunedin’s streets

Posted 10:23am Saturday 10th September 2016 by Joe Higham

The Dunedin City Council (DCC) and the University of Otago are investigating and preparing the initial procedure to increase the frequency of rubbish collection in North Dunedin to improve the campus’ street cleanliness.   According to the meeting minutes from a 30 August 2016 meeting Read more...

Otago University ranking rises four places

Posted 10:21am Saturday 10th September 2016 by Joe Higham

Otago University has improved in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by four places from 2015’s results, moving from 173rd to 169th place respectively.  The improvement does nothing to alter their nationwide ranking of second, with the University of Auckland being Read more...

Otago University conducting concussion research alongside Otago RFU

Posted 10:17am Saturday 10th September 2016 by Joe Higham

Otago Rugby Football Club has teamed up with the University of Otago to explore the connection between neck strength and concussion.  The ground-breaking study will focus on sensors placed behind the players’ ears and will log information allowing them to assess whether or not the neck Read more...

OUSA Execrable | Issue 22

Posted 10:14am Saturday 10th September 2016 by Joel MacManus

The Executive met Monday in a highly disorganised and easily distracted fashion to consider a proposal by local artist Guy Howard-Smith to paint a large anti-pollution mural on the side of the Birdwatchers flat, 74 Albany Street. Howard-Smith has had a hand in producing a number of large-scale Read more...

Disillusionment continues within the Humanities Division

Posted 10:11am Saturday 10th September 2016 by Joel MacManus

On a rainy, windy Wednesday afternoon, a crowd of around 400 gathered to protest ongoing cuts to the Otago University Humanities Division. OUSA Admin VP Jarred Griffiths stood at the foot of the Clocktower addressing the raucous mob through a megaphone declaring “we stand here today surrounded Read more...

Opinion: Has the All Blacks dominance made international rugby less exciting?

Posted 10:50am Sunday 4th September 2016 by Sean Nugent

Former England footballer Gary Lineker once said “football is a simple game. 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win.” Applied to the All Blacks, Lineker’s quote fits like a glove. I’m sure plenty of opposition have walked off the park Read more...

Flying Fijians make nation proud —A Fijian perspective

Posted 10:45am Sunday 4th September 2016 by Otessa Tuisila

Every athlete's dream is to compete amongst the best of the best at the Olympic games with the opportunity to showcase their skills on the world stage, stepping out onto the track, plank or field as an equal. All competitors, whether representing big nations or the smaller islands, have the same Read more...

Somalia: Hope after 25 years of bloodshed

Posted 10:37am Sunday 4th September 2016 by George Elliott

While most people’s knowledge of Somalia might come from the 2001 blockbuster Blackhawk Down or occasional horrific news stories popping up, there has been some recent optimism that the state could pull itself out of its long running civil war in time for the 2016 elections. Sadly, this Read more...

Eggs benedict and our humanitarian myth

Posted 10:32am Sunday 4th September 2016 by George Elliott

At New York’s Turtle Bay, where the United Nations building stands, there’s a breakfast club for Security Council diplomats to meet and start the day with a meal and a chat. It has become quite a tradition, and it is all thanks to New Zealand. The bringing together of some of the most Read more...

Hekia Parata to introduce new ‘COOL’ initiative

Posted 10:27am Sunday 4th September 2016 by Joel MacManus

In an effort to seem innovative and exciting, Minister for Education Hekia Parata has announced a poorly thought out initiative with an even worse name, which would allow school-aged students to register in online operated charter courses as opposed to attending a regular school.  Any Read more...

Otago student swaps books for beach thanks to marooned friend

Posted 10:20am Sunday 4th September 2016 by Hugh Baird

One Otago University student has escaped the winter blues by winning an all expenses paid trip to Fiji thanks to Vodafone, while her loyal friends stayed stranded on a barge parked up in Auckland's Waitemata Harbour for the duration of her trip.   Second year law student Kirsty Fern Read more...

Transgender patrons dissuaded from attending Dunedin club session

Posted 10:16am Sunday 4th September 2016 by Joe Higham

A dispute has emerged over the decision by management to attempt to dissuade transgender patrons entry to Dunedin gay and bisexual venue Space4u’s club session ‘Bodyworks’. A transgender man who wanted to remain anonymous due to his current employment, enquired as to whether the Read more...

Small loans no longer needed to purchase avocados

Posted 10:13am Sunday 4th September 2016 by Hugh Baird

After a 2015 season which saw avocado fans forking out huge sums due to a nationwide shortage, the 2016 season has already been predicted as being our best yet.  Prices soared earlier this year in May with avocados costing over $4 each, due to a myriad of factors including; poor weather, Read more...

Dunedin Hospital celebrates 150 years amid strife

Posted 10:10am Sunday 4th September 2016 by Joe Higham

Former staff, stakeholders, and residents of Dunedin Hospital gathered last week to celebrate 150 years at its Great King Street location. The hospital chapel played host to a modest ceremony as speakers told tales of times past, and look hopefully forward to a continuing future of medical Read more...

Campaign begins to highligh exhaustion of New Zealand’s ‘Resident Doctors’

Posted 10:08am Sunday 4th September 2016 by Joe Higham

Resident doctors are registered medical practitioners, ranging in experience from first year qualified doctors to those with more than 12 years experience, primarily working in the public sector and are employed by all 20 DHBs, according to the campaign’s media release.  The press Read more...

North Dunedin bar leaves student staff high & dry

Posted 10:00am Sunday 4th September 2016 by Joe Higham

Part of the Employment Standards Legislation Bill came into force on 1 April 2016. The bill amended various statutes and sought to address the growing issue of exploitative employment contracts, most notably zero hour contracts, along with changes to the law relating to the cancellation of employee Read more...

Opinion: New Zealand’s Olympic performance satisfactory, but not ground-breaking

Posted 10:59am Sunday 21st August 2016 by Sean Nugent

Whether it was the overhyping of the media, or failure to perform on the biggest stage, I think it’s fair to say that New Zealand’s performance at the Olympics so far has been a bit underwhelming. At the time of writing, New Zealand has eight medals, consisting of two gold and six Read more...

Otago possible contenders

Posted 10:56am Sunday 21st August 2016 by Hugh Baird

The Mitre 10 Cup kicked off over the weekend, with Otago taking on the neighbours from over the border, Southland. Whilst the game took place after Critic went to print, we’re praying that the team managed a win and are nursing a solid hangover this morning.  The Otago team named this Read more...

NZ Politics in review

Posted 10:50am Sunday 21st August 2016 by George Elliott

Parliament’s back for its August session, with new spy legislation set to be introduced by the government. Elsewhere, a new poll shows an increase for the opposition and Labour leader Andrew Little has floated the idea of wiping student loans—with a catch! Following up on Read more...

Island of horror: abuse at Australia’s Nauru detention centre exposed

Posted 10:48am Sunday 21st August 2016 by George Elliott

A cache of 2000 reports pertaining to Australia’s infamous asylum seeker detention centre on the island-nation of Nauru has found its way into the hands of UK newspaper, The Guardian. The leaked documents are sickening, shocking and shameful, which illustrates the scale and severity of the Read more...

National’s Lost Luggage Bill ­— a worthless, cynical attempt to waste everyone’s time

Posted 10:47am Sunday 21st August 2016 by Joel MacManus

National MP Nuk Korako has proposed an entirely ineffective and meaningless Bill in parliament that will do absolutely nothing, is not necessary, and appears to be a deliberate attempt by the government to stall the democratic process. It has resulted in criticism across the board, government Read more...

Fidel Castro calls out Obama in a rare public appearance

Posted 10:38am Sunday 21st August 2016 by Liam Brown

Amidst celebrations for the revolutionist’s 90th birthday, Fidel Castro made a surprise entrance at his birthday gala, the first time he has been seen in public since April. The retired prime minister and president who restructured Cuba into a one-party communist state did not speak at the Read more...

Grocery Prices

Posted 10:36am Sunday 21st August 2016 by Critic

With the price of groceries requiring a small mortgage these days, we at Critic decided it’d be a good idea to compare prices of the big three supermarkets and see where you can get the best bang for your buck. Countdown= $89.80 New World= $84.53 Pak N Save= $77.63  Few top Read more...

UNICEF report shows bleak picture of child poverty in New Zealand

Posted 10:30am Sunday 21st August 2016 by Joe Higham

A UNICEF report has revealed that as many as 305,000 New Zealand children, or 28 percent, currently live below the poverty line. Alone this is problematic, but alongside this is the cost it has on society. The report detailed it costs $10 billion year on year, as well as a $2 billion burden on Read more...

John Key crushes dreams by refusing to decriminalise cannabis

Posted 10:28am Sunday 21st August 2016 by Joe Higham

John Key has revealed that there is no chance of a law change in relation to cannabis following a review into the possibility of personal and or medicinal cannabis usage in New Zealand, believing that it sends the wrong message to the nation’s youth.  An article in the ODT noted John Read more...

University of Canterbury kicks men from gym

Posted 10:26am Sunday 21st August 2016 by Charlotte Haselden

The University of Canterbury has introduced "women only" hours at its campus gym, which has been met with controversy. The decision was made by the university to meet the needs of all the students after a student group submitted a formal request. A spokesperson for the University Read more...

Nominations close for mayoralty race

Posted 10:24am Sunday 21st August 2016 by Joel MacManus

Dave Cull could be facing a tougher race than usual in this year’s DCC Mayoral election, with a total of 11 candidates standing.  DCC elections are run on a Single Transferrable Vote system whereby voters rank the candidates in terms of favorability, eliminating the lowest polling Read more...

New Zealand Young Writers Festival to take place in Dunedin

Posted 10:21am Sunday 21st August 2016 by Tom Kitchin

Calling all writers of any kind! Novelists, journalists, poets, songwriters, illustrators and more—this is the festival for you. From 1 – 4 September, Dunedin will host the second annual New Zealand Young Writers Festival. It will feature 15 completely free events. If you’re stuck Read more...

New World employees vow to continue fight for pay parity

Posted 10:18am Sunday 21st August 2016 by Joel MacManus

Protests at Centre City New World over a $2 an hour pay gap between North Island and South Island stores have resulted in multiple trespasses, a breakdown in negotiations, and threats of legal action after employees and management failed to reach an agreement after months of Read more...

75 turn out to protest Animal Research Centre

Posted 10:16am Sunday 21st August 2016 by Anonymous Bird

Around 75 people attended a protest on Saturday July 13 against the $50 million animal research centre being built on the University of Otago campus. The protest took place at the facility building site on Great King street. It was reportedly peaceful, with no police attendance required and campus Read more...

Meningitis case serves as reminder

Posted 10:13am Sunday 21st August 2016 by Hugh Baird

Brittany Arthur, an Otago Polytechnic nursing student in her final year, died last Saturday after an acute case of meningococcal meningitis.  Arthur had been out for dinner, celebrating her final nursing exam. She awoke the next day with a headache and decided to go back to bed. However, she Read more...

Williamson coming of age

Posted 2:47pm Monday 15th August 2016 by Sean Nugent

During the second test against Zimbabwe last week, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson became the youngest ever batsmen to score a century against every test-playing nation. Not only was he the youngest to do so by over four years, but he also did so in the quickest time —both in terms of days Read more...

International scientists reveal 2015 worst on record for global warming indicators

Posted 2:41pm Monday 15th August 2016 by Sally Wilkins

Findings in a major international report indicate that 2015 was the worst year in modern history across a range of key climatic indicators with the “toppling of several symbolic mileposts”, international scientists have said. The report noted record highs in the average global Read more...

It’s not looking good for Aunty Helen, according to leaked UN Security Coucil straw poll

Posted 2:36pm Monday 15th August 2016 by George Elliott

Despite a worldwide media campaign, a celebrated televised debate performance and a refreshing message, Helen Clark’s bid for the United Nation’s top job could be coming to an end. Clark is in seventh place, according to the results of an informal straw poll conducted by the Security Read more...

Real Change’ remains unchanged: Exec elects to say ‘bye’ to by-Elections

Posted 2:31pm Monday 15th August 2016 by Joel MacManus

2016 is shaping up to be the first year in over two decades in which no OUSA by-elections have taken place. According to records of meeting minutes and annual reports, the last Executive group to make it through an entire year without a by-election was the group from 1994. The last year in which no Read more...

Sleepy second semester students seek secure study space

Posted 2:28pm Monday 15th August 2016 by Joel MacManus

OUSA is hoping to ensure the return of the 24 Hour Study Space for second semester exam time this year. The initiative, which saw the Clubs and Socs building on Albany Street extend its opening hours pasts its usual 10:30pm closing time, was hugely popular among students, who packed out the Read more...

Gender equality takes a hit as pay gap widens

Posted 2:26pm Monday 15th August 2016 by Joe Higham

The gender pay gap widened last quarter from 12.9 percent to 13.2 percent, a seemingly small change, yet one that highlights a step away from gender equality in New Zealand’s workplaces. The Pay Equality Coalition’s spokesperson Angela McLeod spoke of how it is “time for action Read more...

Viability of computerised exams investigated

Posted 2:24pm Monday 15th August 2016 by Joe Higham

Otago University has revealed it is investigating whether widespread use of computer-based examinations (CBE) is a possibility. A Working Group set up by the University includes representatives from the Divisions of Humanities, Health Science, Science, Commerce, and also OUSA, among others. The Read more...

Funnily enough Dunedin does need students

Posted 2:20pm Monday 15th August 2016 by Hugh Baird

The annual University of Otago Economic Impact Report was released last week at the latest University Council meeting. The report, which was compiled by the office of the Vice-Chancellor reported on the economic impact that the University had on the local economy, through expenditure of the Read more...

OUSA Execrable | Issue 19

Posted 2:16pm Monday 15th August 2016 by Joe Higham

Pro-Vice Chancellor for the Division of Humanities, Tony Ballantyne, attended this week’s executive meeting in order to provide answers to the student representatives in relation to the ‘Management of Change’ process taking place in the division, in which redundancies are certain Read more...

Harawira is back, and a Maori-Mana alliance over Te Tai Tokerau is on the cards

Posted 11:26am Sunday 7th August 2016 by George Elliott

Harawira lost his seat in the Maori electorate of Te Tai Tokerau to Labour’s Kelvin Davis by nearly seven percent of the vote in the 2014 election. It was a devastating loss for Mana, which had held the seat since it split with the Maori Party in 2011. Pundits chalked the de-crowning moment up Read more...

Have you heard of a feminist foreign policy? Sweden has

Posted 11:20am Sunday 7th August 2016 by George Elliott

In the aftermath of the Cold War, a feminist approach to international relations became popular among some academic circles. Two of the movements founding scholars, Cynthia Enloe and Carol Cohn , proposed using a critical "feminist consciousness" when examining how countries do business Read more...

All Blacks name squad for upcoming Rugby Championship

Posted 11:09am Sunday 7th August 2016 by Hugh Baird

Chiefs fullback Damien McKenzie and midfielder Seta Tamanivalu are the notable omissions from an All Blacks squad named last week to play in the upcoming Rugby Championship. Instead the All Blacks coaching staff have opted for Blues midfielder George Moala, who impressed in the test series Read more...

Opinion: Three Olympic events you need to watch

Posted 11:06am Sunday 7th August 2016 by Sean Nugent

The 2016 Rio Olympics are underway! It may be the most controversial games in history. But let’s forget that for a moment and focus on the actual events and the athletes taking part. Of course, there are some events that are must-watch television. However, instead of rattling off some obvious Read more...

Man jumps from plane without parachute, world shits itself

Posted 11:00am Sunday 7th August 2016 by Charlotte Haselden

A 42-year-old skydiver has plummeted back to earth, becoming the first person to jump from a plane with no parachute, landing in a net instead. Luke Aikins jumped from 25,000 feet above the desert landscape of California's Simi Valley, landing in a 39-by-39-metre two-tiered net which was set Read more...

American man kills home intruder by tying him to a tree

Posted 10:55am Sunday 7th August 2016 by Tom Kitchin

Tying a burglar to a tree with layers of tape and a clothesline, leading to death; some things can only happen in the US.   Nathaniel Johnson, a 68-year-old resident of the town Leroy, Alabama, had become annoyed at the increasing number of burglaries at his property and decided something Read more...

Octagon Sleep-Out a resounding success

Posted 10:53am Sunday 7th August 2016 by Joe Higham

If you were drinking in town on the 29th July, you may have been wondering why there was suddenly a huge group of people sleeping in the Octagon. No they weren’t drunk students or the homeless community, but if you’d said the latter, you would’ve been close.  In fact, 150 Read more...

Hope for AIDS eradication in Africa disappearing, experts say

Posted 10:51am Sunday 7th August 2016 by Georgia Vosper

Hope for the end of AIDS in Africa is disappearing, with recent warnings by health experts suggesting that ‘the end of AIDS by 2030’ is not actually a very achievable goal. The number of infections is rising and the input of funding internationally is declining, possibly due to the Read more...

Uncertain times for humanities staff as five departments facing redundancies

Posted 10:49am Sunday 7th August 2016 by Joe Higham

A media briefing held by Otago University on Wednesday 3 August, provided few assurances to the future of staff members in the Division of Humanities.  Otago University’s Pro-Vice Chancellor, Tony Ballantyne, addressed the media, stating that five departments within the division will Read more...

OUSA on a mission to get students voting

Posted 10:46am Sunday 7th August 2016 by Joel MacManus

OUSA has launched what Administrative Vice-President Jarred Griffiths describes as “the largest student voter enrolment drive we’ve ever done”. Over the past two weeks, Exec members have been visiting halls and encouraging enrolments with the promise of pizza for the floors who Read more...

Yet another proposal could chip away at already diminishing student freedoms

Posted 10:44am Sunday 7th August 2016 by Joe Higham

A registration scheme for students planning flat parties is being considered by OUSA following its successful implementation in the Riccarton West suburb of Christchurch.  The scheme allows people who are planning to throw a party to register it in order to seek advice on issues such as Read more...

Hyde street residents fearing for safety after spate of attacks

Posted 10:41am Sunday 7th August 2016 by Joel MacManus

A number of residents on Hyde street have raised concerns over student safety after a series of attacks in the area. Police were called to the area last Saturday after a male student walking with his girlfriend was assaulted by two males believed to be non-students. No arrests were made. Another Read more...

OUSA Execrable | Issue 18

Posted 10:37am Sunday 7th August 2016 by Joel MacManus

Following the results of the 2016 OUSA Referendum, there will no longer be regulations against offensive costumes at the annual Hyde Street party. The controversial measure, which was introduced this year, was defeated by a 28 percent margin, with a total of 3205 votes cast.  In a more Read more...

The greatest ever Olympic moment?

Posted 11:34am Sunday 31st July 2016 by Hugh Baird

After a four year wait since London, this week will see the commencement finally of the Rio Olympics. In honour of that, we here at Critic decided to take a look back at likely the finest moment in Olympic history: Eric Moussambani—“Eric the Eel” Eric Moussambani produced quite Read more...

Opinion: IOC just another dodgy sports organisation

Posted 11:26am Sunday 31st July 2016 by Sean Nugent

In the early hours of Monday morning, the leaders of the International Olympic Committee convened to discuss the banning of the Russian Olympic team from the upcoming games. Over the course of three hours, they had the chance to come to a conclusion that could change the future of sport forever. Read more...

Plea for Policy: Why the government should devolve social services to iwi

Posted 11:13am Sunday 31st July 2016 by Henry Napier

The 21st century so far has offered some significant ebbs in New Zealand race relations. If one were to ask a New Zealand politics student what the major blows for bi-culturalism were in the last 16 years you would likely receive a list of the following; the passing of the Foreshore and Seabed Act Read more...

John Key plans to eradicate all NZ predators by 2050

Posted 11:04am Sunday 31st July 2016 by Joel MacManus

The Government has announced what John Key calls “the most ambitious conservation project attempted anywhere in the world”, with a lofty goal of making New Zealand predator-free by 2050. The plan would establish a new Crown Entity, Predator Free New Zealand, which will work alongside Read more...

Labour and Greens already arguing, despite ‘Memorandum of Understanding’

Posted 10:58am Sunday 31st July 2016 by Joel MacManus

Trouble in Paradise? The Labour-Greens agreement has had its first public spat, a disagreement over housing policy. Greens Co-Leader Meteria Turei said she wanted to see a 50 percent drop in house prices over the next 10 to 15 years, and outlines a plan to get there by introducing a Capital Gains Read more...

Hospital to change focus from specialised to general provider

Posted 10:55am Sunday 31st July 2016 by Joe Higham

The Dunedin Hospital may look like a carpark, but now, plans are being developed to completely rebuild the hospital, at a cost of approximately $300 million. On top of that, or despite it depending on how you look at it, the Southern District Health Board are also in the process of changing the Read more...

Cull served with defamation papers ahead of election

Posted 10:44am Sunday 31st July 2016 by Joel MacManus

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull is facing a $500,000 defamation action after being served with legal papers while walking down Bath St last Thursday. The claim was filed by fellow Dunedin City Councillor Lee Vandervis. At a council meeting in December, Cr Vandervis had stated a belief that there were Read more...

Political conventions are stupid, dumb, pointless, fun

Posted 11:04am Sunday 24th July 2016 by Joel MacManus

We are right now in the middle of the most meaningless, overhyped, expensive exercise in political cheerleading in the Western World ­—The Republican and Democratic National Conventions. National Conventions are to the US what the Monarch is to New Zealand – Formerly powerful Read more...

Tiger Woods out for season, set to play off course instead

Posted 10:57am Sunday 24th July 2016 by Hugh Baird

Tiger Woods has announced he will pull the pin on the rest of the season, citing on-going rehab from a spate of back surgeries late last year.    The PGA released a statement last week in which they announced that Woods had withdrawn from their upcoming tournament. Woods’ agent, Read more...

Opinion: Just how stupid is the Super Rugby format?

Posted 10:53am Sunday 24th July 2016 by Sean Nugent

Answer: Extremely. In fact, it could be argued that it is the worst in the world, across all sports and all competitions. It’s so bad I don’t even know where to begin.  First of all, what’s the deal with the conferences? Are there two or are there four? Surely it would be a Read more...

President Erdogan yet to rule out death penalty following coup

Posted 10:46am Sunday 24th July 2016 by Hugh Baird

More than 50,000 people in Turkey have been rounded up, sacked or suspended from their jobs in the wake of an attempted coup, including teachers, university deans and those in the media. Additionally, 103 generals and admirals have also been formally charged, making up over a third of the general Read more...

Trump chooses conservative, homophobic, overly religious running mate

Posted 10:43am Sunday 24th July 2016 by Georgia Vosper

Donald Trump has announced Governor of Indiana Mike Pence as his vice-presidential running mate, after he was officially sworn in as the Republican presidential candidate last week.  Politically, Pence is a ‘safe’ choice for Trump, due to his vast legislative and executive Read more...

Neither rich white nominee will help quell America’s racial tensions

Posted 10:37am Sunday 24th July 2016 by Joe Higham

As America narrows its presidential hopefuls down to just two, the expectation on whoever is sitting in the Oval Office come the end of the year is intensifying.  American President Barack Obama, who is now about to reach the culmination of his administration, remains largely unable to quell Read more...

Dunedin in lockdown as election excitement grips city

Posted 10:34am Sunday 24th July 2016 by Joe Higham

Dunedin’s Local Elections are underway, with nominations opening on July 15. Nominations close on August 12, with election day set for Saturday October 8 at noon.  With only 10 days having passed since the nominations, it is understood that more people will decide to run for the Read more...

Reserve Bank pulls out new lending restrictions

Posted 10:29am Sunday 24th July 2016 by Hugh Baird

The Reserve Bank announced last week that new restrictions will be put in place for lending on property in an attempt to cool the already heated property market.  The changes announced will see property investors throughout the country needing a minimum required deposit of 40 percent, while Read more...

South Dunedin fucked without bold decisions

Posted 10:27am Sunday 24th July 2016 by Joe Higham

A report made by the Otago Regional Council has discovered houses in South Dunedin are in danger in relation to sea-level rise without bold decisions from those in power.  The report, which used seven years of data, identified that rising water levels could potentially cause permanent Read more...

Drinking in cars set to skyrocket during NY festivities.

Posted 10:25am Sunday 24th July 2016 by Hugh Baird

For those looking at making the annual pilgrimage to Rhythm and Vines, expect to be hit in the pocket. This year, the campsites organisers are planning on doing away with the BYO after concerns from local police and council.  On site camping at Rhythm and Vines increased last year after the Read more...

Students sleeping in Octagon by choice this time

Posted 10:23am Sunday 24th July 2016 by Joe Higham

The Dunedin Sleep Out, an event in which participants sleep out in the Octagon to raise awareness and money for homelessness in Dunedin, will take place from 7pm on July 29.  Last year, the event raised $12,000, which went toward contributing the final amounts needed for the Dunedin Night Read more...

OUSA Execrable | Issue 16

Posted 10:19am Sunday 24th July 2016 by Joe Higham

The Executive met on Friday July 15, in the first meeting since OUSA President Laura Harris left for a leadership course in Beijing. OUSA Administrative-Vice President, Jarred Griffiths, chaired the meeting in her absence.  A Returning Officer's’ Report was presented at a previous Read more...

Rory McIlroy blasts inclusion of golf in Olympics

Posted 11:05am Sunday 17th July 2016 by Sean Nugent

Earlier this week top golfer Rory McIlroy dished out a scathing attack on the Olympics, maligning the inclusion of golf in the games for the first time since 1904. He spoke bluntly and honestly about his decision to not compete in the games, citing the fact that the Olympics are not, and never have Read more...

Opinion: Are the Olympics starting to lose legitimacy?

Posted 11:02am Sunday 17th July 2016 by Sean Nugent

After Rory McIlroy’s comments this week, one was reminded of the ridiculous amount of sports now included in the Olympic Games. This year’s games will have 308 events across 28 different sports, an Olympic record. To put this in context, there were only 43 events at the first modern Read more...

DCC accused of “active and wilful campaign to discourage student voters”

Posted 10:58am Sunday 17th July 2016 by Joel MacManus

The Press Council has part-upheld a complaint from Dunedin City Council against this article. The PressCouncil decision is here http://www.presscouncil.org.nz/ Negotiations have broken down between OUSA and Dunedin City Council over plans to place a special Read more...

Emails reveal DCC deception over 2013 voting booth decision

Posted 10:55am Sunday 17th July 2016 by Joel MacManus

The Press Council has part-upheld a complaint from Dunedin City Council against this article. The PressCouncil decision is here http://www.presscouncil.org.nz/ Emails have been acquired by Critic between DCC Electoral Officer Pam Jordan and a number of Read more...

International student fees set to rise across the board

Posted 10:50am Sunday 17th July 2016 by Joe Higham

Otago University is set to increase fees for international students in all subjects bar one, a decision that has not been welcomed across the student body. The only papers that have escaped the increases are within the postgraduate clinical dentistry course, which will see their cost cut by up to Read more...

Sociability hit as ‘Pokemon Go’ takes hold

Posted 10:47am Sunday 17th July 2016 by Sally Wilkins

Gotta catch ‘em all” has taken on a whole new dimension with the release of Pokemon Go on July 6. Topping Apple’s app chart in mere days, the game has taken the virtual and real world by storm with users hitting the streets in search of Pokemon to catch. New Zealand, alongside Read more...

Opinion Piece: ‘Secret’ animal research facility plans “appalling”

Posted 10:41am Sunday 17th July 2016 by Otago Student Animal Legal Defence Fund

Otago Student Animal Legal Defense Fund are startled by Otago University’s announcement of plans of a new animal research facility, to be included in a new $50 million, five-storey development on the Dunedin campus.  As students whose fees contribute to the funding of University Read more...

More landlords need to use HD projectors as bait for tenants

Posted 10:37am Sunday 17th July 2016 by Joe Higham

With Flatting Week upon us and students already searching for their 2017 flats, Critic thought it would look at all of the flats students are, or will soon be, choosing from. Every flat listed on Trade Me as of 14 July with three-plus bedrooms that are located in North Dunedin has been included, and Read more...

Violent attacks hit Dunedin city

Posted 10:35am Sunday 17th July 2016 by Tom Kitchin

Fractured jaw, surgery, weeks spent in recovery. One may not expect such an assault from a night out in Dunedin. Unfortunately, on Friday July 8 this very kind of attack took place.     A group of four to five males assaulted a man and a woman around 11:00 – 11:30pm that night, on Read more...

Messi in a mess

Posted 10:40am Sunday 10th July 2016 by Hugh Baird

A Barcelona court has found Argentine and Barcelona football star Lionel Messi, and his father Jorge Messi guilty on three counts of tax fraud.  The court rulings come after the prosecution had argued that both Messi and his father, Jorge used tax havens in Belize and Uruguay as well as Read more...