Archive

No Smart Watch Bans for Otago Exams

Posted 10:54am Sunday 24th May 2015 by Bridie Boyd

Despite not having any cheating instances with watches to date, Massey University has implemented a ban on all watches for students during examinations. The university said the ban was a reaction to “changing technology”. The watches, recently released by Apple, allow individuals to Read more...

Polytech Faces Hardest Test Yet

Posted 10:52am Sunday 24th May 2015 by Joe Higham

The Otago Polytechnic is consulting on a proposal to implement “just cause” drug testing for students in high-risk courses. Consultation occurred between staff at the Otago Polytechnic and the Otago Polytechnic Students’ Association (OPSA) on Monday 18 May. Leslie Scoullar, Read more...

Execrable | Issue 13

Posted 10:47am Sunday 24th May 2015 by Joe Higham

The executive began by bashing the comments the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA) President Rory McCourt made regarding the recently aired Sunday episode. McCourt reportedly told the Otago Daily Times on 16 May: “Sometimes students come to Dunedin for that Read more...

Party for Nepal Shakes off the Fines

Posted 10:44am Sunday 24th May 2015 by Joe Higham

A house party held to raise funds for the crisis in Nepal had its fine for “unreasonable noise” revoked by the Dunedin City Council (DCC). The party, held at the “Melocasa” flat on the corner of Union and Queen streets on 14 May, was organised to raise funds for Nepal Read more...

Tackling Homophobia

Posted 12:02pm Sunday 17th May 2015 by Daniel Lormans

A recent multinational study has confirmed what we all knew anyway — that there is still a massive problem with homophobic behaviour in sports. Australians are leading the way in tackling this issue, and there are calls for New Zealand to follow suit. The Australian Sports Commission Read more...

News in Briefs | Issue 12

Posted 11:35am Sunday 17th May 2015 by Magnus Whyte

World Watch Italy A football team made up entirely of African migrants has won promotion from the bottom tier of Italy’s league system. The Koa Bosco team won a play-off game that put them at the top of their local championship in the southern Calabria region. The team was formed in 2013 Read more...

Opinion: New Zealand Becoming a Republic

Posted 11:18am Sunday 17th May 2015 by Tim Lindsay

Over the last few weeks, we have seen the birth of a royal baby, Prince Harry visiting our shores and a formal process to decide whether to change New Zealand’s flag. In light of these events, it may be worth considering the state of New Zealand’s constitution and whether we are making a Read more...

In My Opinion: Henry’s word | Issue 12

Posted 11:15am Sunday 17th May 2015 by Henry Napier

Rumours of Prime Minister John Key’s potential departure from the leadership were sparked after #ponytailgate came to life and ended very quickly. However, almost immediately, speculation flew over who might rise to the top of the party if the prime minister were to step down. Last week, Read more...

UK Labour Party: Worst Result in 28 Years

Posted 11:12am Sunday 17th May 2015 by Henry Napier

On 7 May the UK Labour Party experienced a dismal defeat at the hands of the Conservative Party in the general election. The party had its worst result in 28 years, winning only 232 of the 650 seats in parliament. New Zealand Labour leader Andrew Little said he was disappointed at the result, Read more...

Super-City Gets Super Rates

Posted 11:08am Sunday 17th May 2015 by Henry Napier

Auckland Mayor Len Brown revealed last week that Aucklanders should expect rates increases as part of a new budget aimed at tackling transport congestion. The transport levy passed by the Auckland Council has rates increasing by an average of 9.9 percent throughout the supercity.  The Read more...

Liberia Declared Ebola Free

Posted 11:01am Sunday 17th May 2015 by Amber Allott

On Saturday 9 May the World Health Organisation (WHO) officially declared Liberia free of the Ebola virus. It had been forty-two days since the last Ebola victim in the West-African nation was buried.  During the year-long epidemic, there were 4769 probable, confirmed or suspected Ebola Read more...

Calls for EU to Ban Animal Testing

Posted 10:59am Sunday 17th May 2015 by Angus Shaw

Following a petition with 1.2 million signatures, the European parliament met on Monday 11 April to discuss the possibility of banning animal testing throughout Europe.  At the meeting, Stop Vivisection — which created the petition and is actively against animal testing — put Read more...

Union Prepares for Legal Action against SDHB

Posted 10:55am Sunday 17th May 2015 by Bridie Boyd

On 7 May 2015, the Southern District Health Board (SDHB) made a decision that all food would be outsourced through the Compass Group. As a result, the Service and Food Workers Union (SFWU), which had put forward a counter proposal, has announced it will take legal action against the SDHB. The Read more...

Baltimore Declares State of Emergency

Posted 10:52am Sunday 17th May 2015 by Oliver Gaskell

The United States city of Baltimore has declared a state of emergency in response to ongoing riots involving violent clashes, looting and arson. The riots began on 18 April after the death of Freddie Gray, an African American who passed away from injuries sustained during his arrest. Gray, 25, Read more...

Prayer Rooms Open - Hallelujah!

Posted 10:48am Sunday 17th May 2015 by Joe Higham

The University of Otago opened and blessed two new prayer rooms last week, upstairs in the University Union Building at a ceremony attended by people of many different  faiths.  The rooms replaced the previous rooms underneath the Archway building, which were in use for seven years. The Read more...

Students Demand Apology for Sunday Broadcast

Posted 10:39am Sunday 17th May 2015 by Laura Munro

TVNZ’s Sunday episode, “Party Central”, has received backlash from students after it aired on 10 May. The episode showed two residents, one living in close proximity to the 17-man flat “Backpackers”, sharing their views on how University of Otago students interact Read more...

Fetish Ball

Posted 12:31pm Sunday 10th May 2015 by Laura Munro

When I first talked to the Fetish Ball organiser, Richard Barker, I asked him to describe what exactly a fetish was. He laughed and said, “I would prefer you to go to Google for that.” I took to Urban Dictionary. A fetish is “a sexual fixation or obsession with a Read more...

England Looks to Regroup after World Cup

Posted 12:23pm Sunday 10th May 2015 by Damian George

Still trying to repair the damage caused by its poor performance at the Cricket World Cup, England will head into this month’s test series against New Zealand on the back of a five-wicket loss to the West Indies in Barbados. James Anderson took six wickets in the West Indies’ first Read more...

Mayweather vs. Pacquiao Fails to Deliver

Posted 12:21pm Sunday 10th May 2015 by Daniel Lormans

One of the richest and most talked about sports events ever failed to live up to the hype as Floyd Mayweather bobbed and weaved his way to a points decision victory over Manny Pacquiao in his home turf of Las Vegas. “Money” Mayweather played the swagged-up villain while the Read more...

Battle for the Black Jersey Begins

Posted 12:10pm Sunday 10th May 2015 by Daniel Lormans

Round 12 of Super Rugby provided two important games, with the Highlanders running in seven tries against the Sharks and the Hurricanes winning a close game against the Crusaders that wasn’t settled until deep into extra time. What stood out in both these games were the performances of the Read more...

News in Briefs | Issue 11

Posted 11:57am Sunday 10th May 2015 by Magnus Whyte

World Watch United Kingdom An anonymous artist, “Wanksy”, has been spray-painting phallic shapes around his town’s potholes in an effort to draw attention to them to be fixed. He said the situation has “got really bad recently” and he has cyclist friends who have Read more...

In My Opinion: Henry’s word | Issue 11

Posted 11:41am Sunday 10th May 2015 by Henry Napier

National’s treatment of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) will eventually hurt the party. The TPPA is a multilateral investment agreement between twelve states. In short, this means a bunch of countries get together and make up some rules that they’ll all abide by and, in Read more...

James Shaw Interview

Posted 11:38am Sunday 10th May 2015 by Henry Napier

Greens MP James Shaw is currently travelling New Zealand in his bid for the Green Party co-leadership following the resignation of Russel Norman earlier this year. He has a different perspective on politics than would be expected of a typical Greens MP. Last week, Critic sat down with Shaw to see Read more...

10 Years of Student Shenanigans

Posted 11:20am Sunday 10th May 2015 by Joe Higham

Each year the University of Otago conducts an Annual Discipline Report, which outlines student behaviour and its consequences over the past academic year. In 2014 numbers were significantly lower than they have been in past years. Critic compares the reports dating back to 2006, the year when the Read more...

Transport Upgrades Won’t Change Prices

Posted 11:13am Sunday 10th May 2015 by Amber Allott

The Otago Regional Council has met to discuss a transport plan for Otago and Southland, detailing the transport priorities from 2015 to 2021. For Dunedin, the plans include the building of a new central bus hub and protected cycling lanes along State Highway 1. The areas of focus for Dunedin, Read more...

Six Years of Dunedin Fair Trade

Posted 11:10am Sunday 10th May 2015 by Bridie Boyd

This year Dunedin is celebrating its sixth year of being a fair trade city. In celebration, the annual Fair Trade Fortnight is running from 8–22 May.  Sze-En Lau, Coordinator of the University Volunteer Centre said the Fair Trade Fortnight is “a great way to highlight all the Read more...

Hermitude to Headline Re-Ori

Posted 11:06am Sunday 10th May 2015 by Oliver Gaskell

OUSA has announced Hermitude as the headliners for this year’s Re-Orientation week. The Australian duo, who played at Orientation Week 2014, will be supported by New Zealand hip-hop/R&B artist, Young Tapz. The pair will play on Thursday 9 July at the Union Hall. Hermitude member Luke Read more...

Execrable | Issue 11

Posted 11:01am Sunday 10th May 2015 by Laura Munro

The majority of the executive meeting was spent in strict committee — meaning Critic was not allowed to be in the room — to discuss two matters of personal sensitivity. No motion was moved related to the time in strict committee. The executive accepted the letter it will send to the Read more...

McDonalds McCrease McHours

Posted 10:54am Sunday 10th May 2015 by Damian George

Unite National Director Mike Treen says the decision to end zero-hour contracts at McDonald’s restaurants in New Zealand is the culmination of a decade’s hard work. The union announced on Friday that it had reached a deal with McDonald’s to put an end to the controversial contracts Read more...

New Campaigns and Education Officers

Posted 10:50am Sunday 10th May 2015 by Laura Munro

The OUSA By-Election for the position of Campaigns Officer and Education Officer has officially closed.  With a total of 298 votes, Nick Findlay won the position of Campaigns Officer. Also running for the position was Sean Gamble, who received a total of 295 votes. Henry Napier received 201 Read more...

What’s Wrong with the Crusaders?

Posted 12:45pm Sunday 3rd May 2015 by Damian George

As I watched the struggling Blues take on a resurgent Crusaders team last weekend, the absence of Dan Carter was obvious. Even though Carter has been wearing the number 12 jersey recently, you could be forgiven for forgetting he has even been on the park. Colin Slade kicked the goals, Mitchell Read more...

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Posted 12:42pm Sunday 3rd May 2015 by Daniel Lormans

With the Super Rugby season well past its halfway point, attention is starting to shift towards the end-of-season Rugby Championship and, more importantly, the World Cup in England. Since taking over the top job, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has presided over one of the most successful and dominant Read more...

News in Briefs | Issue 10

Posted 12:34pm Sunday 3rd May 2015 by Magnus Whyte

World Watch Switzerland Switzerland has topped the annual World Happiness index produced by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, an initiative of the United Nations. It was closely followed by Iceland, Denmark and Norway, with Togo, Burundi, Benin and Rwanda the least happy nations of Read more...

In My Opinion: Henry’s word | Issue 10

Posted 12:10pm Sunday 3rd May 2015 by Henry Napier

The opposition’s role is to criticise the government. In doing so, it usually tends to highlight the negatives and avoid the positives. Yet too often, when asked what they think of good policy, opposition MPs will turn around in disagreement, regardless of what they truly believe. They Read more...

Key Unlocks Another Trade Door with Saudi Arabia

Posted 12:08pm Sunday 3rd May 2015 by Henry Napier

News of a trade agreement with Saudi Arabia has come amid controversy over human rights. Prime Minister John Key recently confirmed that he is seeking a trade agreement with the nation, visiting last week to meet King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Key admitted in an interview with ONE News that Read more...

Māori Party Takes Back Seat in Water Rights

Posted 12:05pm Sunday 3rd May 2015 by Henry Napier

The issue of Māori water rights has had a resurgence in New Zealand politics. The government recently turned down a proposal from iwi to award Māori permanent water rights. The proposal sought to discard the existing system of water allocation, whereby water rights can be granted through Read more...

Bali Nine Executed

Posted 11:59am Sunday 3rd May 2015 by Zahra Shahtahmasebi

At 12:30am on Wednesday 29 April, two Australians, Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, were executed on Nusa Kambangan Island in Central Java. Sukumaran and Chan were among eight other drug smugglers who were put to death on the same day. The men included four Nigerians — Okwuduli Oyatanze, Read more...

Nepal Quake Jolts 8 Million Lives

Posted 11:56am Sunday 3rd May 2015 by Angus Shaw

More than eight million people across three countries have been affected by the Nepal earthquake, which occurred on 25 April 2015. According to Nepalese officials, 5000 people have been confirmed dead and 6500 injured. Numbers are expected to increase as rescue teams scour remote Read more...

European Migrant Crisis: 800 Dead

Posted 11:50am Sunday 3rd May 2015 by Oliver Gaskell

More than 900 migrants are feared dead after a boat capsized in the Mediterranean Sea on 19 April. The 20-metre-long fishing boat capsized off the Libyan coast as a large merchant ship approached it. It was filled with refugees attempting to escape turmoil in Africa and the Middle East. A Read more...

Otago Dentistry Ranks 8th in the World

Posted 11:35am Sunday 3rd May 2015 by Laura Munro

The QS World University Rankings for 2015 have been released. Otago was the only New Zealand university to place in the top ten for a subject area, scoring 8th in Dentistry. The University of Otago also ranked 31st in psychology, three places behind the University of Auckland, which ranked Read more...

Hospital Uses Compass to Search for Food

Posted 11:34am Sunday 3rd May 2015 by Bridie Boyd

The Southern District Health Board is considering drastic changes to the food sourcing for local hospitals and contemplating the use of an outsourcing company, the Compass Group. Currently, hospital food is sourced and made locally, providing jobs and income to companies based in the region. It Read more...

DCC Cutting Shares in “Unethical Companies”

Posted 11:29am Sunday 3rd May 2015 by Joe Higham

On Tuesday 28 April the Dunedin City Council voted in favour of an Ethical Investments Policy, meaning shares it owns in “unethical companies” will be phased out. Eight councillors voted for the policy and seven voted against. The vote represented a final decision on the matter, and Read more...

Mayor Sympathetic to Prosecution of Clyde Landlords

Posted 11:24am Sunday 3rd May 2015 by Damian George

Mayor Dave Cull says he feels for the owners of a Clyde Street student flat, who are facing prosecution after taking on a property that had undergone illegal alterations. Alan and Kay McKay bought the 99 Clyde Street property from its former owners in December 2013. They are now seeking Read more...

Greens Want Rid of Plastic Bags

Posted 11:21am Sunday 3rd May 2015 by Joe Higham

On 21 April the Otago Greens on Campus held the first of 28 nationwide meetings introducing the Green Party’s plastic bag scheme. With 40 attendees, the group introduced the campaign, which aims to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic bags in New Zealand. Green Party MP Denise Read more...

Planet Media Dunedin Ltd. Insolvent

Posted 11:18am Sunday 3rd May 2015 by Laura Munro

In a meeting on Thursday 30 April, the OUSA Executive decided not to call on the $240,367.87 it is owed by Planet Media Dunedin Ltd, pending a review from the company’s board. The debt is as of the end of March 2015 and encompasses accumulated debt from the last several years. PMDL, founded Read more...

Execrable | Issue 10

Posted 11:08am Sunday 3rd May 2015 by Laura Munro

The meeting was taken up by discussions of Planet Media Dunedin Ltd (PMDL). As of the end of March 2015, PMDL owes $240,367.87 to OUSA. The issue was discussed for an hour in committee of the whole due to commercial sensitivity. The executive moved that it would not call on the debt pending the Read more...

By-Election Nominations

Posted 10:56am Sunday 3rd May 2015 by Staff Reporter

Education Officer Zachariah Roy Al-Alami Hi, my name is Zachariah. I am running for the position of Education Officer. - Let’s be honest, nobody really understands the bureaucracy that plagues the University; so, I want to keep it short and simple on what I am advocating for: - Read more...

IPL Watch: Kiwis in Action

Posted 12:02pm Sunday 26th April 2015 by Damian George

While you’ve been sleeping, many of New Zealand’s Cricket World Cup stars have been plying their trade in the cash-crazy circus known as the Indian Premier League. While I’m not really one for T20 at the best of times, let alone when the product is the love child of a round Read more...

Summer Thieves vs. Highlanders basketball

Posted 12:00pm Sunday 26th April 2015 by Daniel Lormans

Last Friday, Adam, Angus, Johnny and Jake from local Dunedin band, the Summer Thieves, bravely challenged the Highlanders to a best-of-three-games miniseries of three-on-three half-court basketball in the Union Hall. It is not every day you can see world-class athletes being outclassed by a Read more...

Tough Talk with Tanaka

Posted 11:59am Sunday 26th April 2015 by Daniel Lormans

Afew days before the Highlanders’ game against the Blues, I put on a “business-casual” shirt, skipped a POLS class and ventured deep into the heart of the Highlanders’ “Worldwide Headquarters” (their words, not mine) next to the stadium, where I caught up with Read more...

News in Briefs | Issue 9

Posted 11:46am Sunday 26th April 2015 by Magnus Whyte

World Watch Czech Republic A Czech man, Vit Jedlicka, has declared that a seven-square kilometre patch of land between Serbia and Croatia is now the sovereign state of Liberland. As well as having a flag, it even has a website where people can apply for citizenship. Its founder says he wants a Read more...

In My Opinion: Henry’s word | Issue 9

Posted 11:25am Sunday 26th April 2015 by Henry Napier

National’s armour is John Key’s popularity. It survives on Key’s image as a typical and down-to-earth “kiwi bloke”. As the events of the last year’s election show, Key’s image only strengthens when he is slandered. If you were watching political polls Read more...

Hague Says the Government is “Out of Touch”

Posted 11:19am Sunday 26th April 2015 by Henry Napier

Last week the Green Party claimed the National government is not intending to fulfill its 2014 election promise of providing children aged 13 and under with free GP visits. The Green Party claim they have documents which show 10 percent of children would not be covered as the budget has been set too Read more...

iD Dunedin Fashion Week Happens

Posted 11:14am Sunday 26th April 2015 by Laura Munro

Last week saw iD Dunedin kick off its annual fashion week for the 16th year in a row. The week ran from 18–26 April, with designers from all over the world attending. Over the eight days there were fashion tours around the city, fashion shows and awards, guest lectures and films relating to Read more...

Wanted: Speedy Cat Experts

Posted 11:11am Sunday 26th April 2015 by Zahra Shahtahmasebi

OUSA is calling all quiz lovers to participate in the entry tests for this year’s University Challenge. The challenge is a television show, aired on Prime, in which universities from all over New Zealand compete in an academic quiz. The entry test to be considered for the University of Read more...

Law Overlooked for Damp Rentals

Posted 11:10am Sunday 26th April 2015 by Damian George

Dunedin students living in cold and damp housing may have more rights to a healthy home than they are aware of, according to University of Otago researchers. A study published by the university in collaboration with Victoria University of Wellington has found that a law designed to protect people Read more...

Immunisation Refusal Linked to Vitamin K

Posted 11:01am Sunday 26th April 2015 by Oliver Gaskell

AUniversity of Otago study has shown that parents who decline vitamin K for their newborn children are more likely to turn down childhood immunisations.  Researchers from the Department of Women and Children’s Health believe the results of the study may be useful in defining the small Read more...

Otago Ranked Top Scientific Institution in NZ

Posted 10:57am Sunday 26th April 2015 by Amber Allott

In 2014, the University of Otago was the leading publisher of scientific articles for all New Zealand universities, according to an annual report released by the Nature Publishing Group that gives it the highest international ranking of any New Zealand institution. Each year, the Nature Read more...

Proctology | Issue 9

Posted 10:55am Sunday 26th April 2015 by Laura Munro

Campus Watch attended a couch fire before the Easter break that led to one student being recommended to the university provost. It was discovered that a separate student who was dealt with at the scene had lied to Campus Watch in 2013. The student was caught throwing a bottle on Harbour Terrace but Read more...

Student Loans: Past and Present

Posted 10:50am Sunday 26th April 2015 by Joe Higham

In the wake of Germany having abolished student loans for domestic students and England having increased them to around £9,000 per annum ($18,000/year for tuition fees), New Zealand domestic students linger in a middle ground between the two. The average course fees for a bachelor’s Read more...

Drift Trike Trio Takes Baldwin Street

Posted 10:44am Sunday 26th April 2015 by Amber Allott

Three members of a Christchurch-based drift-triking community, SLIDE Christchurch, took on Baldwin Street as part of a stunt on Saturday 18 April. Harley Jolly (23), Tyson Bar (19) and Nic Roy (18) videoed the descent, which has since gained popularity on social media. “Basically, we do Read more...

Rowing Club Wins Trophy for 16th Year

Posted 10:40am Sunday 26th April 2015 by Laura Munro

During the mid-semester break, the Otago University Rowing Club took out the Ashes trophy at the New Zealand Universities Rowing Championships in Whanganui. The trophy holds the ashes of the former rowing club, which burnt down in 1999, and was won by Otago for the 16th year in a row. With a Read more...

Union Success With Zero-Hour Contracts

Posted 10:38am Sunday 26th April 2015 by Joe Higham

Restaurant chains around New Zealand have said they will put an end to zero-hour contracts after action from Unite Union New Zealand. The union has called for an end to the contracts, claiming they do not offer employees the security they need. Protests have been held nationwide. The Read more...

Dunedin Club Rugby

Posted 12:40pm Sunday 19th April 2015 by Daniel Lormans

Last weekend at University Oval’s field number five, our very own OURFC University A hosted Southern RFC. Being right opposite the stadium while they were performing a sound check for that night’s Rod Stewart concert made an interesting choice of background music for a seriously Read more...

In-form Naholo Helps Highlanders Take Revenge

Posted 12:31pm Sunday 19th April 2015 by Daniel Lormans

As predicted in last week’s issue, the Highlanders took the sword to the Crusaders in their own backyard, settling the score from their Ori Week defeat with a very nice 25–20 win. After two early Crusaders tries, it was not looking great for the Highlanders, but they kept the faith and Read more...

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...