Archive

News in Briefs | Issue 8

Posted 12:07pm Sunday 19th April 2015 by Magnus Whyte

World Watch Berlin, Germany A 65 year old primary school teacher, Annegret Raunigk, is reportedly due to give birth to quadruplets. It is likely she will deliver by Caesarean section. Raunigk is already a mother to 13 other children - she gave birth to her youngest daughter a decade ago. Because Read more...

Clinton Makes Second Attempt at Presidency

Posted 11:51am Sunday 19th April 2015 by Henry Napier

Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has finally announced her bid to run for president in 2016. Last week she released a YouTube video entitled “Getting Started”, in which she officially announced her plans to run. In the video, filled with images of families and Read more...

In My Opinion: Henry’s word | Issue 8

Posted 11:40am Sunday 19th April 2015 by Henry Napier

John Key is a political instrumentalist; he has a vision for where he wants New Zealand to be. But rather than using his proportionately short time in government to implement radical change, he has opted to take a slow incremental approach. This has been a major factor in his popularity since he Read more...

Electoral Report Shows Voter Turnout Low

Posted 11:32am Sunday 19th April 2015 by Henry Napier

The Electoral Commission has released its 2014 election report. While the report highlights that the election was successful, it maintains that “much needs to be done”. The report outlines two major priorities to improve the electoral system. The first priority is an increase in voter Read more...

Druglawed Premiere Must Not Promote

Posted 11:21am Sunday 19th April 2015 by Joe Higham

A film titled Druglawed had its world premiere at the University of Otago College Auditorium on Wednesday 14 April. The film, organised by Otago NORML, focuses on New Zealand’s involvement in the US-led War on Drugs. The film was directed and produced by South African filmmaker, Arik Read more...

Uni Launches Peaceful Cartoon Contest

Posted 11:16am Sunday 19th April 2015 by Bridie Boyd

The University of Otago National Centre for Peace & Conflict Studies is hosting a peaceful cartoon competition in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo tragedy. The aim of the competition is to help encourage the international community to react in peaceful ways to controversial cartoons, as well as to Read more...

We Aren’t “a Bunch of Loose-unit Crazies”

Posted 11:07am Sunday 19th April 2015 by Damian George

Feejoa Co-Director Phil O’Reilly has hit back at criticism of his company, saying people have got the wrong impression of the concept. The scheme, introduced in November last year, sees participating businesses pay up to five percent of purchases made by a customer toward their student Read more...

Execrable | Issue 8

Posted 10:58am Sunday 19th April 2015 by Laura Munro

It was announced that Campaign Officer Alice Sowry’s resignation will be effective this Friday. The executive will hold a by-election for this position, as well for education officer after the resignation of Greer Mahoney. The executive discussed the idea of a longer voting period due to the Read more...

Legal Action Threatens Streaming from Overseas

Posted 10:49am Sunday 19th April 2015 by Laura Munro

Four New Zealand television outlets, which together own 85 percent of New Zealand’s television viewing market, have joined together to take action on what they are calling a breach of copyright. Lawyers representing SkyTV, TVNZ, Lightbox New Zealand (run by Spark) and MediaWorks sent a Read more...

News in Briefs | Issue 7

Posted 2:51pm Sunday 12th April 2015 by Magnus Whyte

World Watch Moscow, Russia A Russian toy shop has launched an advertising campaign based on a KGB interrogation. The advert shows a brother and sister interrogating their parents in a darkened room. The boy paces the room with a wooden hammer before telling his parents: “You have left us Read more...

NBA Playoffs just around the Corner

Posted 2:51pm Sunday 12th April 2015 by Daniel Lormans

While the NZ Breakers recently won their fourth ANBL championship in five years, the NBA post-season is just about to kick off next weekend after the monotony of the regular season concluded this week. For the casual viewer, the NBA can appear rather confusing so I will do my best to explain it Read more...

In My Opinion: Henry’s word | Issue 7

Posted 2:51pm Sunday 12th April 2015 by Henry Napier

It’s not often such a strong mandate gets turned on its head so quickly. Only five months ago National won Northland with an overwhelming 9000-vote majority. Then two weeks ago, it managed to lose the seat to Winston Peters. The outcome was the result of two mistakes. The first was the Read more...

The Port of Auckland Fiasco

Posted 2:51pm Sunday 12th April 2015 by Henry Napier

The expansions to the Port of Auckland have ushered in a new tide of political controversy for Auckland City Mayor, Len Brown. The council owned company, Ports of Auckland, plan to extend the Bledisloe Wharf further into the Waitamata Harbour, effectively allowing for easier access and docking for Read more...

New Zealand Crime Declining

Posted 2:51pm Sunday 12th April 2015 by Laura Munro

The New Zealand Police have released their annual crime statistics for 2014. The report documents the number of crimes recorded in that year; crimes are counted as resolved when police apprehend the offender and decide how to take action. The Police National Intelligence Application (NIA) gathers Read more...

Southern DHB Performs Their First EVAR

Posted 2:51pm Sunday 12th April 2015 by Joe Higham

A Balclutha man, Harold Masters, has become the first person to receive an Emergency Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) by surgeons from the Southern District Health Board. The procedure involves surgery into the aorta — the largest artery in the human body, which runs from Read more...

First-Year Enrolments Down 2.9 Per Cent

Posted 2:51pm Sunday 12th April 2015 by Joe Higham

Enrolments for full-time students to the University of Otago have dropped for 2015. Figures show that total enrolments for this year are 469 fewer students, or 2.9 per cent lower, than the 2014 figure of 18,570. Domestic first-year enrolments are down 9.2 per cent from the same period in Read more...

Execrable | Issue 7

Posted 2:51pm Sunday 12th April 2015 by Laura Munro

T he meeting began by welcoming the new Postgraduate Officer, Chris Jackson, and International Officer Toa Sailusi. It was announced that Campaigns Officer Alice Sowry and Education Officer Greer Mahoney have resigned. The second by-election for 2015 is set to be announced in the near Read more...

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...

Yelling down Microphone to Keep Rights We Have

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

O n Thursday 19 March, the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA) launched a joint campaign with the Tertiary Education Union (TEU) at Otago University. NZUSA President Rory McCourt led the launch alongside TEU National President Sandra Grey. The campaign, which was Read more...

Execrable | Issue 5

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

President Paul Hunt began the meeting by commenting on the executive’s performance so far this year. He said although they are “kicking into gear well,” the team is still only running at “six gears out of ten.” OUSA has officially put in its submission regarding the proposal to abolish the Read more...

The Real Cost of Hyde

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

T he annual Hyde Street Keg Party, which took place on Saturday 21 March, has come under scrutiny due to its apparent cost to taxpayers. Last week, The Wireless published an article quoting Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull stating, “The public resource that goes into that one day is about Read more...

RUGB215

Posted 2:32pm Sunday 15th March 2015 by Daniel Lormans

T he first four rounds of assignments for the semester have been completed, so Critic turns the sometimes subjective and arbitrary University of Otago grading scale to New Zealand’s Super Rugby teams. Is your team going to be accepted for Honours or have an embarrassing grade on their Read more...

Indonesian Authorities Tired of Australia

Posted 2:32pm Sunday 15th March 2015 by Henry Napier

An Indonesian Minister, Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno, has made threats of what he calls a “human tsunami” if the Australian Government doesn’t stop the pressure it is putting on Indonesian authorities. The threats come after a continuous effort from the Tony Abbott-led government to save the lives of the Read more...

US Presidential Election Updates

Posted 2:32pm Sunday 15th March 2015 by Henry Napier

L ikely candidates for the 2016 presidential election, still ten months away, seem to be kicking off their campaigns early this year. Last week, nine soon-to-be Republican Party candidates travelled around Iowa apparently preparing for the coming election. None of the candidates has officially Read more...

Little Plays Politics

Posted 2:32pm Sunday 15th March 2015 by Henry Napier

L abour leader Andrew Little has confronted the fact his party’s candidate for the Northland by-election, Willow Jean Prime, is an unlikely contender. Little has hinted that a Labour endorsement for New Zealand First leader Winston Peters may be on the cards. Prime Minister John Key has Read more...

An Interview with David Xie

Posted 2:32pm Sunday 15th March 2015 by Laura Weir

Facebook pages ‘Humans of [insert city here]” have grown tremendously in popularity during the past year. The original, Humans of New York, now has 12.4 million likes. David Xie, a University of Otago IT administrator, decided to create a page for those living right here in Dunedin, and Read more...

At Least We Believe in Ourselves

Posted 2:32pm Sunday 15th March 2015 by Laura Munro

Times Higher Education has published its World Reputation Rankings for 2015, placing Harvard University in the US at #1 for the fifth year in a row. The rankings, published annually, show a list of the world’s 100 most prestigious universities. This is based on an invitation-only survey of senior Read more...

Proctology | Issue 4

Posted 2:32pm Sunday 15th March 2015 by Laura Munro

T he proctor said February this year was “one of the busiest” he has seen in regards to students in his office: “It has been a bit frantic.” This said, it seems as though it has been multiple flats rather than individuals, “which accounts for lots more people.” Noise from flats is an Read more...

Ploughing Proves Dangerous

Posted 2:32pm Sunday 15th March 2015 by Joe Higham

U niversity of Otago research has shown that the ratio of male cancer risk is higher in populations descended from plough-using societies. The research, conducted by Professor David Fielding from the Department of Economics, looked at societies where the plough was adopted in the Neolithic Read more...

Tourism Gives $11 Million Boost for Otago

Posted 2:32pm Sunday 15th March 2015 by Oliver Gaskell

T he Otago economy experienced a boost of almost $11 million last month, a 32 per cent increase from last year. New figures from the electronic transactions processor Paymark showed the foreign credit and eftpos card transactions in the region grew from $33.7 million in February 2014 to $44.5 Read more...

Gates Are Opened for Otago Research

Posted 2:32pm Sunday 15th March 2015 by Joe Higham

A $14.6 million grant has being given to an Otago-led government initiative, Ageing Well. Directed by the dean of Otago’s School of Physiotherapy, David Baxter, the initiative is one of the eleven research areas the government has targeted in order to improve the lives of New Zealanders. The Read more...

Rattray Mural Adds to Street Art

Posted 2:32pm Sunday 15th March 2015 by Zahra Shahtahmasebi

A s part of a project by the Dunedin Street Art group, Australian artist Fintan Magee has begun a new mural on Rattray Street. The mural, which spans from three to four storeys, is one of three projects in the area and is located on the side of the Scenic Hotel building. It is set to take a Read more...

Discipline Report Shows Decline

Posted 2:32pm Sunday 15th March 2015 by Laura Munro

I n 2014, a total of 482 students were involved in disciplinary matters referred to the proctor. Of these, 23 were deemed extreme enough to be recommended to the provost. The proctor deals with students who breach the code of conduct, and then if the matter is serious, he can refer them to the Read more...

Execrable | Issue 4

Posted 2:32pm Sunday 15th March 2015 by Laura Munro

T o begin the meeting, OUSA President Paul Hunt mentioned the possibility of OUSA renewing its membership to Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA). The membership would cost $100 per year and Hunt said that they would ask for OUSA to have a seat on the VSA Board. In 2014, OUSA withdrew its Read more...

Unions Plan Protests Outside Wendy’s

Posted 2:32pm Sunday 15th March 2015 by Joe Higham

A new branch of the fast-food giant Wendy’s has opened on Anderson’s Bay Road, Dunedin, making it the southernmost Wendy’s in the world. The new location was officially opened on Monday 9 March 2015, bringing 54 new jobs to the area. “We’ve been wanting a presence here for a long time, but Read more...

Interview: Sigma

Posted 5:30pm Sunday 8th March 2015 by Basti Menkes

Drum and bass duo, Sigma, is made up of British talents Joe Lenzie and Cameron Edwards. Critic caught up with them just before their bombastic set at the Orientation Afterparty, to talk about dubstep, e-cigarettes and Karl Pilkington. Critic: Firstly, I’ve got to ask — what flavor vape are Read more...

Interview: Kiesza

Posted 5:30pm Sunday 8th March 2015 by Basti Menkes

Headlining the OUSA Orientation Afterparty, Kiesza performed for nearly 4000 students last Thursday night. Critic sat down with her beforehand to hear about the road she’s travelled to get here and what her thoughts are on L&P, Crocs and James Brown. Critic: We’re just going to start off Read more...

Leaking Dunedin Hospital Helps Fish

Posted 5:30pm Sunday 8th March 2015 by Bridie Boyd

T his February, the Southern District Health Board (DHB) was issued with a BECA (an engineering consultancy group) report concerning the state of Dunedin Hospital, in particular the Clinical Services Building. The report outlined that the building would need to be replaced within ten years and Read more...

Athletes Around the Country

Posted 5:30pm Sunday 8th March 2015 by Daniel Lormans

T he most popular sports from around the world are dominated by large, synthetic and inflatable balls that are delicately manipulated by the hands, feet and sometimes heads of the players. However, there is another group of more sharply dressed individuals who prefer to derive their pleasure Read more...

Russian Opposition Leader Shot Dead

Posted 5:30pm Sunday 8th March 2015 by Henry Napier

L ast week, the Russian opposition leader, Boris Nemstov, was shot dead. Nemtsov, 55, was shot four times in the back as he was heading home from dinner with his wife. His death came only a day before a planned protest against the current Russian government. Nemstov was the co-leader of Read more...

Peeping through the Key Hole

Posted 5:30pm Sunday 8th March 2015 by Henry Napier

N ew Zealand is in the spotlight after Edward Snowden, former NSA analyst and “whistle-blower”, has revealed a mass of data showing New Zealand’s spying activity in the South Pacific. The data shows that the GCSB (Government Communications Security Bureau) has collected phone calls, emails and Read more...

Peters Flies North... Or Crawls

Posted 5:30pm Sunday 8th March 2015 by Henry Napier

The Electoral Commission has confirmed the 11 candidates who will run in the upcoming by-election for the vacant Northland seat. In the 2014 election, the seat was won by National MP Mike Sabin. However, after rumours of a police investigation surrounding him came to light, Sabin stepped down. The Read more...

Electoral Donations Raise Questions

Posted 5:30pm Sunday 8th March 2015 by Henry Napier

P rime Minister John Key has come under fire recently concerning a fundraising dinner he attended in 2013. Key has confirmed that he attended a private dinner at the home of Chinese businessman, Donghua Liu. The dinner is said to have been organised by Botany MP and National Party member, Read more...

Otago Academic Awarded Harkness Fellowship

Posted 5:30pm Sunday 8th March 2015 by Laura Munro

D r. Jennifer Moore, from Otago’s Law Faculty and the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, has been awarded the prestigious Harkness Fellowship for 2015. After being interviewed on the afternoon of 3 December, Moore was told she had won the fellowship a mere three hours later. Read more...

Otago Staff Receive Teaching Awards

Posted 5:30pm Sunday 8th March 2015 by Emma Lodes

On Monday 2 March, four University of Otago teachers received awards for teaching excellence. The awards went to Dr. Roslyn Kemp, Dr. Rachel Zajac, Associate Professor Christine Jasoni and Associate Professor Jacinta Ruru. Along with a certificate to recognise their efforts, they each received Read more...

Cheaters Reveal All the Tissues

Posted 5:30pm Sunday 8th March 2015 by Laura Munro

T he University of Otago’s Annual Discipline Report has shown a total of 42 recorded cases of alleged dishonest practice, otherwise known as cheating, in 2014. The Humanities exceeded all other divisions in alleged dishonest practice in 2014, with 16 cases reported. Of these, 11 were Read more...

Roadworks Make the Right Turn

Posted 5:30pm Sunday 8th March 2015 by Emma Cotton

T he Dunedin City Council has recently decided to publish a list of current roadworks to its website. The list, which was first posted last week, will be updated each Friday. Depending on feedback, the list may soon be published on social media, said Cr Kate Wilson, Chairwoman of the Council’s Read more...

Skiing Flights Ready for Take Off

Posted 5:30pm Sunday 8th March 2015 by Joe Higham

In the wake of Air New Zealand abandoning several regional flights, a new service picking up some of the routes has been offered by airline entrepreneur Ewan Wilson and several associates. The new venture will see flights depart from Dunedin, travel to Queenstown and then fly directly to Read more...

Dunedin’s Debt Drops by $25 Million

Posted 5:30pm Sunday 8th March 2015 by Emma Fletcher

Dunedin City Holdings Ltd (DCHL)’s half-yearly report, released Friday 27 February, shows its debt has dropped by $25.8 million in the last six months, bringing the total to $586.5 million. The report, which shows finances to 31 December 2014, says that the previous year’s debt peaked at more than Read more...

Execrable | Issue 3

Posted 5:30pm Sunday 8th March 2015 by Laura Munro

Recreation Manager Debbie Coulter kicked off the meeting with the OUSA Aquatic Centre’s repairs and capital work. This included painting and repairing structural support for the canopy located above the deck, as well as the fire-exit steps. The rust is “so severe” that the steps have to be replaced. Read more...

Pregnancy Counselling Services Criticised

Posted 5:30pm Sunday 8th March 2015 by Amber Allott

A n advertisement for Pregnancy Counselling Services (PCS) played on Radio One has been removed due to “numerous complaints” from the public. The advert was also printed in the first two issues of Critic this year. The original advert stated: “On call 24/7, local people who Read more...

Critic’s Night at the Rugby!

Posted 6:26pm Sunday 1st March 2015 by Daniel Lormans

7:00pm: I decide I can’t afford stadium-priced beer so I knock back a few leftover Cindys as I wait for my friends to show up. Their lack of punctuality is noted for the future. KICKOFF: A huge roar from the crowd as the Highlanders’ season gets underway. Unfortunately, we are still five Read more...

Political Round Up | Issue 2

Posted 6:26pm Sunday 1st March 2015 by Henry Napier

1. ANDREW LITTLE — FACE OF HYPOCRISY — Opposition Leader Andrew Little has been caught out for accidentally not paying one of his workers. The individual, a contractor, was owed $950 for nearly four months. Funnily enough, Little had spoken out against the challenges small-business owners face Read more...

Best of the Week | Issue 2

Posted 6:26pm Sunday 1st March 2015 by Henry Napier

N ews this week has been dominated by Prime Minister John Key’s decision to send New Zealand troops to Iraq. The decision, coming as no surprise after months of discussion in Parliament, was finalised on Tuesday 24 February. Key confirmed that 143 New Zealand soldiers will be sent to Read more...

Cumberland Courts No More

Posted 6:26pm Sunday 1st March 2015 by Emily Draper

C umberland Courts, affiliated with Castle Street’s Cumberland College, are no longer running. James Lindsay, Director of Accommodation Services, said “the properties are being administered by UniFlats for 2015” — this is a university operation that mostly houses single-semester international Read more...

Massive Magazine Back in Print

Posted 6:26pm Sunday 1st March 2015 by Laura Munro

M assey University’s magazine, Massive, is back in print after being online-only since February 2014. The Magazine, launched in 2012, was forced out of print due to a lack of funding. In order to get the print format back up and running, MAWSA Manager James Collings said it was a case of Read more...

Otago Researchers Prep for Diabetes Trial

Posted 6:26pm Sunday 1st March 2015 by Amber Allott

A group of research scientists from the University of Otago is currently preparing to begin clinical trials of a cure for type 1 diabetes. Led by cell biologist, Dr. Jim Faed, clinical trials are expected to begin within the next two years. The research involves extracting bone marrow from Read more...

What You Need To Know: The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA)

Posted 6:26pm Sunday 1st March 2015 by Carla Green

I f you type “TPPA” into a search engine, the first result will probably be the website of It’s Our Future NZ, a hub for anti-TPPA activity in New Zealand, decorated with a handy countdown to the next action organised against the agreement. The second will probably be Greenpeace’s webpage Read more...

DCC Goes Green

Posted 6:26pm Sunday 1st March 2015 by Carla Green

T he Dunedin City Council has presented its Sustainability Audit Subcommittee with a draft proposal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The goal is to cut emissions by five per cent of 2013–2014 levels before 2019. The plan comes as the DCC prepares to vote on an ethical investment policy Read more...

OUSA and VUWSA Hit With NZUSA Bill

Posted 6:26pm Sunday 1st March 2015 by Laura Munro

A fter its withdrawal application last November, OUSA has received a bill from NZUSA (the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations) for $22,500. The bill, which is half of the 2015 membership fee, was also sent to the Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association (VUWSA). Read more...

Fruit and Vege Scheme Goes Bananas

Posted 6:26pm Sunday 1st March 2015 by Joe Higham

A ll Saints’ Anglican Church is aiming to “prepare well” for the deluge of interest in their new fruit and vegetable distribution scheme. The scheme involves the supply of various fruits and vegetables in three different box sizes (single people – $3, couples – $6, and family/flats – $12) to Read more...

Execrable | Issue 2

Posted 6:26pm Sunday 1st March 2015 by Laura Munro

T o kick off the second executive meeting for 2015, President Paul Hunt warned that the proceeding 40 minutes would be the final “warm-up meeting” for the year. In the future, “more substantial issues” are to be covered. That said, business this week was swift and productive. The Read more...

DCC Considers Liquor Ban Extension

Posted 6:26pm Sunday 1st March 2015 by Emma Lodes

A View Street residence known as “Backpackers” has come under scrutiny from the Dunedin police and neighbouring houses, as the behaviour of its inhabitants is seen to have crossed the line. Urinating on the street, wrecking household items, blasting music and smashing bottles and windows have Read more...

Seriously accurate predictions to continue

Posted 4:35pm Sunday 22nd February 2015 by Daniel Lormans

Last year’s FIFA World Cup coverage proved our credentials in providing serious analysis, accurate predictions and the ability to type a sentence like that with a straight face. Here is an update and preview of some of the sports action that we will be reporting on and ranting about in 2015. Read more...

Fears deepen as drought drags on

Posted 4:35pm Sunday 22nd February 2015 by Bridie Boyd

O n January 30 2015, the Otago Regional Council asked the government to officially recognise the devastating dry spell as a recorded drought, after the longest dry spell since 2004. Except for the Clutha River, most tributaries and rivers still have dangerously low levels, with no sign Read more...

Backlash over University Council amendments

Posted 4:35pm Sunday 22nd February 2015 by Carla Green

A bill amending the 1989 Education Act has come under fire recently from university student associations around New Zealand. In addition to creating a new professional body for teachers — a move that infuriated the Post-Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) — the bill aims to decrease the current Read more...

Dunedin Sick of Mores

Posted 4:35pm Sunday 22nd February 2015 by Emma Lodes

S ycamore trees have become a topic of conflict in recent weeks, with the Dunedin City Council and the Chalmers Community Board arguing that they’re choking out native plants, hogging sunlight and stamping out undergrowth bush. According to Lisa Wheeler, DCC Parks Manager, the city is Read more...

Execrable | Issue 1

Posted 4:35pm Sunday 22nd February 2015 by Laura Munro

T he first OUSA Executive meeting for the year kicked off with OUSA President Paul Hunt laying down the law for 2015. Executive members were instructed to raise their hand if they want to say their piece during the meeting. Additionally, it was clarified that if an executive member misses Read more...

Posties stamped out

Posted 4:35pm Sunday 22nd February 2015 by Oliver Gaskell

D unedin-based postal workers are at risk of unemployment as New Zealand Post makes cuts to its residential delivery services. Dunedin is currently home to around 60 posties, all of whom could be at risk of unemployment as part of a five-year strategy to restructure New Zealand’s postal Read more...

O Week heats up

Posted 4:35pm Sunday 22nd February 2015 by Carla Green

O n Wednesday 18 February 2015, emergency services were called to four separate North Dunedin areas in the early hours of the morning. A house located on Leith Street was left with severe damage to the front porch, as well the front two rooms of the house. The Leith Street residents had not Read more...

Parties go ahead despite warnings

Posted 4:35pm Sunday 22nd February 2015 by Laura Munro

T he University of Otago took a tougher stance on out-of-control flat parties leading up to the 2015 Orientation Week, with flats being asked to cancel events before the week had even begun. Residents of the Dundas Street V Flat, Dylan Hall, Tessa Lunam, Baily Beecher and Ross Stocker, Read more...

Dunedin's proposed Local Alcohol Policies

Posted 12:31pm Monday 1st December 2014 by Isaac Yu

I'm sure you've all heard the saying that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. We all like to think, especially when it comes to the affairs of others, that what we are doing is for peoples’ own good - that if we could sit them down and have a chat we could sort them out and have their Read more...

OUSA Withdraws From NZUSA

Posted 6:51pm Thursday 27th November 2014 by Josie Cochrane

After prolonged discussion, Otago University Students’ Association (OUSA) has withdrawn from the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA). The unanimous decision follows the Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association (VUWSA) decision to also withdraw earlier this Read more...

OUSA President Resigns, Effective Tomorrow

Posted 10:04pm Thursday 6th November 2014 by Josie Cochrane

At the Executive meeting held on the evening of Wednesday 5 November 2014, OUSA President Ruby Sycamore-Smith announced her resignation. Giving three days of notice, her resignation is effective from Friday 7 November 2014. On Monday 3 November 2014, the OUSA Executive discussed Read more...

Critic Sport takes a stroll down memory lane

Posted 11:58pm Sunday 12th October 2014 by Daniel Lormans

For this sad occasion, the last issue of Critic for this year, we go the tear-soaked nostalgia desk and revisit some of the most memorable sporting moments of 2014, pointing out when we got things right with our predictions and conveniently not mentioning when we got things wrong. Thanks for reading Read more...

Critic tackles election year one more time

Posted 11:58pm Sunday 12th October 2014 by Carys Goodwin

This is it. The final Critic of the year. A year of the most tumultuous election activity we could have asked for; a year of the weirdest gaffs; and a year of the most frustratingly normal results. It got so strange that Twitter began to wonder when we’d hit “peak cray,” and a simple search of the Read more...

Dunedin students’ private photos exploited online

Posted 11:58pm Sunday 12th October 2014 by Josie Cochrane

On Tuesday 7 October 2014, a group called “Rack Appreciation Society Awareness” was created on Facebook. 24 hours later, over 2,000 women were members of the page. The group was formed out of disgust at the “Rack Appreciation Society” – a Facebook group formed two weeks ago, with over 4,000 Read more...

Execrable | Issue 27

Posted 11:58pm Sunday 12th October 2014 by Josie Cochrane

This week’s meeting went on for nearly three hours, but the presence of the 2015 Executive made for a little more excitement than usual. 2015 OUSA President-elect Paul Hunt held the chair for this meeting to give him some experience as the incoming top dog. The Executive also welcomed the new Read more...

No bones about it, there are some top supervisors

Posted 11:58pm Sunday 12th October 2014 by Emily Draper

The Supervisors’ Awards, instituted by the OUSA and the Graduate Research School, aim to recognise and celebrate excellence in PhD, thesis or dissertation supervision. This year, Associate Professor Ruth Fitzgerald of the Anthropology & Archaeology Department was awarded the grand prize of 2014’s Read more...

AUSA Dismisses General Manager

Posted 11:58pm Sunday 12th October 2014 by Anna Whyte

The Employment Authority and Employment Court have deemed the 2012 dismissal of former Auckland University Student Association General Manager Tom O'Connor justified. O'Connor brought the case to court after he was dismissed by AUSA due to the mismanagement of AUSA finances. However, O'Connor Read more...

Top Lecturer Of The Year wants “no part of UCSA”

Posted 11:58pm Sunday 12th October 2014 by Laura Munro

The University of Canterbury Student’s Association (UCSA) has come under scrutiny recently by staff member Dr Ekant Veer. The popular lecturer of the marketing department wrote a blog post on 7 October declaring that he would hand back his Lecturer of the Year award, as well as the $50 prize. Read more...