Archive

Advanced voting available in the link

Posted 11:52pm Sunday 7th September 2014 by Laura Munro

Voting in the 2014 General Election kicked off last Wednesday with advanced voting now available to all New Zealanders. This year, all voters have the opportunity to cast their votes earlier than the official Election Day, 20 September. Previously, a valid reason to vote early was required. Read more...

OUSA drops Volunteer Services Abroad membership

Posted 11:52pm Sunday 7th September 2014 by Laura Munro

In an Executive meeting on 29 July, a decision was made that OUSA would end their membership to the organisation Volunteer Services Abroad. The decision was put forward by OUSA Admin Vice President Ryan Edgar and unanimously agreed upon by all executive members. Edgar said he was “certainly not” in Read more...

Execrable | Issue 22

Posted 11:52pm Sunday 7th September 2014 by Josie Cochrane

A new, much needed assistant to the Executive, Projects Officer Annabelle Boelema, kicked off the meeting with general reminders for the Executive members. Annabelle presented the plans for the Election; with just over two weeks to go, OUSA have the RockEnrol with Generation Zero, Back Benches by Read more...

DCC proposes draconian alcohol policies

Posted 11:52pm Sunday 7th September 2014 by Nina Harrap

The Dunedin bar scene could be experiencing further changes in the near future as the Dunedin City Council considers tightening the restrictions on the sale of alcohol. The draft of a new Local Alcohol Policy (LAP) was recently released and includes a ban on drinking outside bars after 11pm, Read more...

Interview: Kevin Hague - Green MP

Posted 5:55pm Sunday 31st August 2014 by Carys Goodwin

Kevin Hague is a current Green MP, and looks after their health and sport policy. In the interest of providing something of note to the P.E. students that isn’t on the sport pages, I asked him about what policies he advocates for in the complex network of elite sport and school activities. I also Read more...

Consumer Magazine - is New Zealand’s icon of consumer protection hopelessly compromised?

Posted 5:55pm Sunday 31st August 2014 by Laura Munro

Consumer New Zealand has long had a reputation as the guardian of the New Zealand consumer. Active since 1959, they claim they are “dedicated to getting New Zealanders a better deal.” And their biggest pitch has always been their independence. When Critic spoke to David Naulls, Deputy CEO and Read more...

Greatest hits / Greatest shits | Issue 21

Posted 5:55pm Sunday 31st August 2014 by Carys Goodwin

Greatest HitThere are a few contenders this week, what with the UBS apparently giving out airline sick bags to anyone who bought a copy of Dirty Politics and the hilarious election broadcasts screening, but Greatest Hit has to go to one of the underdogs of the election: the Civilian Party. They Read more...

Politweets | Issue 21

Posted 5:55pm Sunday 31st August 2014 by Carys Goodwin

Winston are you okay, are you okay, are you okay, Winston? Poetic. Tragic. Ouch. That’s the real Asenati, too. Read more...

Critic tackles election year | Issue 21

Posted 5:55pm Sunday 31st August 2014 by Carys Goodwin

DISCLOSURE: Carys is a Green Party hack who is hardcore hacking it up for the election. But don’t worry – she has a few National Party friends who don’t hesitate to send in angsty letters to the editor when she strays too far into shill territory. In David Cunliffe’s ideal government there Read more...

Another year, another trophy for the All Blacks

Posted 5:55pm Sunday 31st August 2014 by Daniel Lormans

To the predictably triumphant rugby desk where the World Champion All Blacks have locked away the Bledisloe Cup for the 12th year in a row with Richie and the boys setting some new records along the way. Their haul of 51 points at Eden Park was a record against the Wallabies, our man Aaron Smith Read more...

Watching for madness at the movies

Posted 5:55pm Sunday 31st August 2014 by Josie Cochrane

A new study carried out at the University of Otago‘s Wellington campus has named ten of the best movies that they recommend medical students view in order to facilitate self-directed learning in psychiatry. Lead author Nick Wilson says that there is significant international literature on Read more...

Government still wants you to stop smoking

Posted 5:55pm Sunday 31st August 2014 by Nina Harrap

October has been christened “Stoptober,” as the government pushes to implement a new anti-smoking campaign. According to a recent press statement, “the campaign, funded by the Ministry of Health’s Pathway to Smokefree New Zealand 2025 Innovation Fund, aims to generate 43,000 quit attempts, with 10 Read more...

Otago Students win National Brand Challenge

Posted 5:55pm Sunday 31st August 2014 by Laura Munro

Four students from the University of Otago have successfully taken away first prize in the New Zealand Brand Challenge. Run by the New Zealand Marketing Association, the competition involved six universities from across New Zealand. Taylor Wheeler, Josie Cochrane, Ryan Edgar and Logan Edgar were all Read more...

Endangered Dunedin fish eaten by hungry trout

Posted 5:55pm Sunday 31st August 2014 by Anna Whyte

Native Dunedin freshwater fish are enduring delays in their protection programme by the Department of Conservation, even though they are acutely and chronically threatened. The non-migratory Eldon’s Galaxias, a subspecies of the Galaxiid family that is native to New Zealand, has been declining due Read more...

Otago University I.T.S. members no longer have hair

Posted 5:55pm Sunday 31st August 2014 by Josie Cochrane

Two members of the University of Otago’s ITS Service Desk team have had their faces shaved by a blind man to support the Cancer Society’s annual Daffodil Day fundraiser. Customer Service Representatives David Steer and James Inger had their faces shaved by their blind colleague Simon Fogarty last Read more...

Proctology | Issue 21

Posted 5:55pm Sunday 31st August 2014 by Josie Cochrane

Once again, the Proctor has had reports of misbehaviour at the Botanic Gardens in recent weeks; there have been two particularly large groups who have been caught drinking in the gardens. The Proctor said that one group swiftly left the gardens once Campus Watch arrived, but the other group was Read more...

Execrable | Issue 21

Posted 5:55pm Sunday 31st August 2014 by Laura Munro

To kick off the meeting, apologies were made on behalf of Hamish Barker, who had to leave the meeting early due to other commitments. Welfare Officer Payal Ramritu was also unable to attend due to car troubles. OUSA’s affiliation with the Justice in Palestine group was first discussed. The Read more...

Dunedin City Council at centre of $1.5 million fraud investigation

Posted 5:55pm Sunday 31st August 2014 by Emily Draper

The Dunedin City Council has been left reeling after a $1.5 million fraud scheme was uncovered within the council’s Citifleet department earlier this month. The alleged fraud involved $1.5 million of missing proceeds from the sale of 152 council cars. According to Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull, the Read more...

Dunedin students snow how to party

Posted 1:47pm Thursday 28th August 2014 by Steph Taylor

Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium was the venue for the first Indoor Winch Jam held on Saturday 23 August. The event, which showcased snowboarding and skiing talent, involved snowboarders and skiers being towed by a winch on to a snow jump. The alcohol-free event had no charge for entry. Two Read more...

Home away from home or really expensive prison?

Posted 12:53am Monday 18th August 2014 by Josie Cochrane

Following reports from past and present students from the University of Otago Halls of Residence, Critic has spoken to numerous parties to address complaints regarding hall life. A number of students have reported to Critic that their time at their hall is “cliquey,” “lonely” and “not safe Read more...

Greatest hits / Greatest shits | Issue 20

Posted 12:53am Monday 18th August 2014 by Carys Goodwin

Greatest HitWithout a doubt, Greatest Hit this week goes to Nicky Hager, who has created what can only be described as a “shitstorm” in response to the publication of his new book. Prior to its release, the hilarious Twitter speculation alone was enough to warrant it this prized award; but Dirty Read more...

Politweets | Issue 20

Posted 12:53am Monday 18th August 2014 by Carys Goodwin

Nice. Probably. I don't know but we definitely should. Poor Col. Read more...

Critic Tackles Election Year | Issue 20

Posted 12:53am Monday 18th August 2014 by Carys Goodwin

Since I’ve already featured an article in which I followed Clare Curran around for an afternoon, I figured it was only fair to take a look at two of the other people vying for the spot: Hamish Walker of the National Party and Shane Gallagher of the Greens. Initially, I was hoping to host a debate Read more...

A Season of Fire and Ice: The Game of Premier League Thrones

Posted 12:53am Monday 18th August 2014 by Daniel Lormans

This week we go to the Weirwood and Valyrian steel football desk where over the past few years our two favourite things to illegally stream online have been HBO’s violent, softcore-pornography drama, Game of Thrones, and the less violent but equally awesome male soap-opera that is the English Read more...

Dunedin-destined Drugs; Prison-destined student

Posted 12:53am Monday 18th August 2014 by Anna Whyte

A 21-year-old male student from Otago Polytechnic has been charged with importing class A and class B controlled drugs. The recent drug haul, which found LSD and MDMA (ecstasy) on Monday 11 August, had an estimated value of between $3,000 and $7,000 for the LSD and approximately $50,000 for the Read more...

Unaccounted leave leaves accountant unaccounted for

Posted 12:53am Monday 18th August 2014 by Bella Macdonald

A former University of Otago student has been removed as a member of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants after giving false medical certificates to his former workplace and a fake reference to a recruitment company. At his hearing on 5 August 2014, Simon Michael Collins was Read more...

Toroa College blowing the budget even more

Posted 12:53am Monday 18th August 2014 by Steph Taylor

Toroa College’s recent upgrade and expansion has gone over budget by even more than previously reported, with the total cost of the refurbishment now being over budget by almost $1 million. As previously found, the extreme difference in cost was recorded as being an error in the estimated cost. Read more...

Aoraki faces worst student numbers in the country

Posted 12:53am Monday 18th August 2014 by Emily Draper

Aoraki Polytechnic continues to record a decline in student numbers, according to figures released by the Tertiary Education Commission. The figures show that Aoraki is losing students at a faster rate than any other New Zealand university or polytechnic. In 2013, numbers dropped from 915 to Read more...

Salient Editor Fails at Playing Critic

Posted 12:53am Monday 18th August 2014 by Laura Munro

Cameron Price, Co-Editor of Victoria University’s student magazine Salient, has brutally failed at an attempt to troll the intellects at Critic. Price recently put himself forward for multiple executive positions in the VUWSA (Victoria University of Wellington Student Association) elections Read more...

Labour announces tertiary education policy

Posted 12:53am Monday 18th August 2014 by Nina Harrap

The Labour Party has announced the tertiary education policy that they plan to implement if they are elected to government. The policy was released by Labour’s Tertiary Education spokesperson Maryan Street. It promises “a Labour Government will fully review the student support system – including Read more...

$10,000 street art fund not enough

Posted 12:53am Monday 18th August 2014 by Bella Macdonald

Dunedin’s first Street Art Festival is set to take place in October. With a $10,000 Dunedin City Council grant for more artwork, organisers have raised a further $5,000 to bring international street artist Dal East to the festival. The contributions of 11 artists have been confirmed to attend Read more...

Execrable | Issue 20

Posted 12:53am Monday 18th August 2014 by Josie Cochrane

We got a wee bit excited last Executive meeting after the team appeared to be having productive discussion. It didn’t last long. The meeting began with some good old-fashioned OUSA scandal. OUSA President Ruby Sycamore-Smith announced that she had entered into a relationship with Critic Read more...

Disabled student mistaken as drunk

Posted 12:53am Monday 18th August 2014 by Laura Munro

During Dunedin’s Illuminate Paint Party, which took place at Forsyth Barr Stadium on 10 July 2014, a University of Otago student was denied entry due to appearing intoxicated to staff. In actual fact he suffered from a number of physical disabilities. Critic spoke with the student, Richard, who is Read more...

The latest assault on Palestine (a primer)

Posted 9:16pm Sunday 10th August 2014 by Olivier Jutel

At university we are taught to be dispassionate analysts of world events, but in the face of the massacre in Gaza, academic detachment is hard to achieve. As the host of Radio One politics show The Revolution Will Not be Televised, I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Peace and Conflict Read more...

Greatest Hits / Greatest Shits | Issue 19

Posted 9:16pm Sunday 10th August 2014 by Carys Goodwin

Greatest Hit On Wednesday last week, Clare Curran participated in an AMA on Reddit, an activity that involves answering anything that the New Zealand Internet deems worthy enough to ask her. While it wasn’t full of cheese rolls banter, Clare gets points for responding to “can you please tell Read more...

Politweets | Issue 19

Posted 9:16pm Sunday 10th August 2014 by Carys Goodwin

Ok. Things are looking up. Henare's Helpers Cleaning Service? Dairy me. Classic election move. Oh well. Read more...

Critic tackles election year | Issue 19

Posted 9:16pm Sunday 10th August 2014 by Carys Goodwin

Laila is, without a doubt, a politician. She has deftly navigated herself across the political scene for years now, and her latest adventure as leader of the Internet Party is no exception. Even with a head cold, she was able to redefine and tear apart every question I asked her. It’s intensely Read more...

Gareth Hughes, beer pong, and how to target students

Posted 9:16pm Sunday 10th August 2014 by Carys Goodwin

On Friday 1 August, Green Party MP Gareth Hughes made his way down to Dunedin to have what was the inaugural “Flat Warming,” a youth campaign strategy designed to bring policies to the students, not confine them to stuffy lecture theatres and awkward South Dunedin forums. The idea is to break the Read more...

Sarcastically celebrating a super season of super rugby

Posted 9:16pm Sunday 10th August 2014 by Daniel Lormans

This week the Super rugby desk signs off for 2014 with a lighthearted look at how our five New Zealand teams fared over the season. We have given them a grade based on the merits of their players and performances. Disclaimer - this article contains a heavy dose of irreverent southern bias while also Read more...

New regulation sees five-year learner license limit

Posted 9:16pm Sunday 10th August 2014 by Laura Munro

A new law will see a limit imposed on the length of time individuals can hold learner and restricted licences in New Zealand. The new regulation, announced on Wednesday, will be enforced from 1 December this year. Individuals who do not move onto the next stage of the Graduated Driver Licensing Read more...

OUSA gets diverse with bondage and poetry

Posted 9:16pm Sunday 10th August 2014 by Josie Cochrane

OUSA Diversity Week is to be held this week from 11–15 August. Queer Support and UniQ have organised the week and, according to OUSA Welfare Officer Payal Ramritu, “have worked so hard. I have no doubts the week will be amazing!” Every day there will be events held. On Monday at 12pm, Read more...

Otago staff involved in penguin protection study

Posted 9:16pm Sunday 10th August 2014 by Laura Munro

Researchers from the University of Otago are co-authoring a study related to the endangerment of penguin species around the world. The study suggests that due to the degradation of their habitat, caused by humans, the fate of the birds is at severe risk. Philip Seddon and Lloyd Davis are Read more...

Poppa's promises nothing else but new things

Posted 9:16pm Sunday 10th August 2014 by Bella Macdonald

The official handover of Scarfie icon Poppa’s Pizza took place on Monday 4 August. The new General Manager, Chiv Hamjra, promises, “it’s just a change of owners, nothing else,” despite plans to introduce “new things.” Considering Hamjra’s four-and-a-half-year stint at Pizza Huts around Read more...

Physio Pool asks for community help to remain open

Posted 9:16pm Sunday 10th August 2014 by Anna Whyte

The Southern District Health Board has made an appeal to work with the Otago Therapeutic Pool Trust, the Dunedin City Council and the community in an effort to save the Dunedin Physiotherapy Pool. A meeting held on Thursday 7 August saw the board outline the issues with the pool, which have Read more...

Proctology | Issue 19

Posted 9:16pm Sunday 10th August 2014 by Josie Cochrane

The Proctor described the streets of North Dunedin as “pretty quiet” lately but had a few stories to fill us in on with regard to campus shenanigans. Updating us on last week’s top story, the Proctor informed Critic that one of the “flashers,” reported in the last Proctology, has been caught. Read more...

Toroa's excess spending "much needed" say students

Posted 9:16pm Sunday 10th August 2014 by Anna Whyte

Toroa College's upgrade and expansion has gone over budget by more than $580,000 due to an error in the estimated cost. $1.781 million was spent on Toroa's development between January and May, compared to its budget of $1.2 million. The upgrade and expansion was put towards the construction of 20 Read more...

Greens bribe student vote with free travel

Posted 9:16pm Sunday 10th August 2014 by Nina Harrap

In a statement released on 5 August, the Green Party have vowed to provide free off-peak public transport to all students, through the introduction of a new “Green Card.” Under the policy, all students attending universities, polytechnics, wānanga, Private Training Establishments and those Read more...

Otago's climate researchers get deeper pockets

Posted 9:16pm Sunday 10th August 2014 by Steph Taylor

The University of Otago is a key partner for the second time in one of Government’s multi-million dollar National Science Challenges. The Deep South Challenge is the second challenge to have funding confirmed, with up to $88.1 million available over the next 10 years, inclusive of Crown Research Read more...

Geography students fundraise for Sierra Leone

Posted 9:16pm Sunday 10th August 2014 by Laura Munro

A group of University of Otago Geography students, currently studying GEOG102, will spend the rest of their 2014 study year fundraising for a school in Sierra Leone. The project is set in Kayima, a community in the far northeast of Sierra Leone. The overall aim of the fundraiser is to add a new Read more...

Gender-neutral bathrooms better suit queer students

Posted 9:16pm Sunday 10th August 2014 by Emily Draper

The installation of gender-neutral bathrooms around campus may be on the cards for the University, after a recent study by OUSA. Of the 1,357 students who participated in OUSA’s study, 43 students reported feeling uncomfortable using the current gender segregated facilities. In a recent Read more...

Planetarium being considered for Otago Museum

Posted 9:16pm Sunday 10th August 2014 by Bella Macdonald

Otago Museum is planning to introduce a planetarium as part of the $3.5 million long-term upgrade to the establishment. The Planetarium, if approved by the Museum’s board, will showcase the southern skies in a large, state of the art, indoor dome that would have the ability to project 2D and Read more...

The law proves an obstacle for liquor bans

Posted 9:16pm Sunday 10th August 2014 by Laura Munro

A revision of the 2002 Local Government Amendment Act will make it harder to introduce liquor bans in New Zealand cities. According to The Department of Internal Affairs website, the update, which was first announced in March 2012, aims to create “a more productive, competitive economy, and better Read more...

ACT candidate for Dunedin North resigns

Posted 11:03pm Tuesday 5th August 2014 by Carys Goodwin

ACT Party Board member and Dunedin North candidate Guy McCallum has officially resigned and withdrawn his candidacy as the result of “the development of a race relations policy” that “blindsided” him. This resignation, effective Tuesday 5 August, comes in the wake of ACT leader Jamie Whyte’s shock Read more...

What would it cost them now?

Posted 9:43pm Sunday 3rd August 2014 by Carys Goodwin

In an article by Spook Magazine, Ellena Savage figured out exactly how much an education would cost for Australian Cabinet Ministers should their degrees have been undertaken today. It was written amongst the discourse about how Tony Abbott intends to deregulate university fees, a frightening act of Read more...

Greatest hits / Greatest shits | Issue 18

Posted 9:43pm Sunday 3rd August 2014 by Carys Goodwin

Greatest HitAnother week brings us another hilarious parody website. This one is making fun of Colin Craig; by going to colincraig.co.nz you’re treated to a number of fake press releases, like: “Perhaps choosing the Conservative Party as a name was a bad choice, as we are constantly mistaken to be Read more...

Politweets | Issue 18

Posted 9:43pm Sunday 3rd August 2014 by Carys Goodwin

Reporter Laura McQuillan provides evidence for the Greatest Shit. National MP inadvertently used the Greens’ hashtag #LoveNZ. More than once. Awkward. As you do. Thanks, fake Gerry. Read more...

Critic tackles election year | Issue 18

Posted 9:43pm Sunday 3rd August 2014 by Carys Goodwin

Disability rights are not often talked about at university. Given that almost one in four New Zealanders are disabled in some way, it is definitely a topic that should make more waves at Otago. I spoke to Mojo Mathers of the Green Party, who is the first profoundly deaf New Zealand MP, and Chris Read more...

Gentlemen, start your conspiracy theory engines ...

Posted 9:43pm Sunday 3rd August 2014 by Daniel Lormans

This week’s report comes from the motorsports desk, with the Formula One season having just reached its halfway point allowing a well-deserved break for the drivers and their crews. Mercedes are the on-form team of the season so far, having won nine of the eleven races, and with their drivers Nico Read more...

Clean sweep for Otago rowers

Posted 9:43pm Sunday 3rd August 2014 by Emily Draper

The University of Otago Women’s Senior Rowing Eight have much to celebrate following the International Universities Regatta in China, winning all three regattas of the series. “The wins here in China are huge for this crew and Otago University Rowing,” says Otago University Rowing Club Read more...

Medicine and dentistry learning tool wins CALT Award


Posted 9:43pm Sunday 3rd August 2014 by Anna Whyte

A University of Otago medicine and dentistry online learning tool has won the Committee for the Advancement of Learning and Teaching (CALT) Award for Enhancing Teaching and Learning with Technology. Dr Steve Gallagher of psychological medicine won first prize through the establishment of an Read more...

North D. unhappy with “look and feel” Of South D.



Posted 9:43pm Sunday 3rd August 2014 by Anna Whyte

In the Dunedin City Council’s 2014 Residents’ Opinion Survey, 58 per cent of those who responded were satisfied or very satisfied with the DCC’s progress. Approximately 2,000 Dunedin residents completed the survey from 4,500 randomly selected individuals off the electoral roll. Increases in Read more...

Cars for the taking for everyone for anywhere


Posted 9:43pm Sunday 3rd August 2014 by Laura Munro

Shyft, a new carshare initiative, will soon be making its way to Dunedin. Kate Beecroft of Shyft told Critic, “We’re looking to have the Wellington operation up and running in September. We’ll concentrate on proving the concept here and then we’ll be looking for interested parties to help us expand Read more...

$45,000 prize for innovative business idea


Posted 9:43pm Sunday 3rd August 2014 by Laura Munro

The ANZ Flying Start Business Plan Competition is looking for an original business idea, and the supreme winner will be set up with $45,000 worth of prizes to get the winner’s idea off the ground. Existing small businesses are eligible to enter so long as the idea is innovative and able to sustain Read more...

Invisibility cloak: magic is still cooler than maths


Posted 9:43pm Sunday 3rd August 2014 by Emily Draper

Dr Robert Thompson from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics may not look like a magician, but his research on the concept of invisibility “cloaking” sounds like something straight out of Hogwarts. The postdoctoral research fellow, who began his research at the University of Otago in Read more...

OUSA opens new role – Projects Officer

Posted 9:43pm Sunday 3rd August 2014 by Laura Munro

After a month of planning, OUSA have advertised for the new role of Projects Officer. The role is available to students, as well as the general public. OUSA President Ruby Sycamore-Smith said, “It is a role for someone who wants to be a key logistics coordinator in the OUSA election drive.” Read more...

Dunedin Craft Beer Fest First Brewery Announcement

Posted 9:43pm Sunday 3rd August 2014 by Josie Cochrane

In the early stages of its second year, the Dunedin Craft Beer and Food Festival is already set to have more breweries signed up than last year. In its latest media release, the event promises to be “bigger and better than anything Dunedin has seen before.” “We’re absolutely stoked to have Read more...

Execrable | Issue 18

Posted 9:43pm Sunday 3rd August 2014 by Josie Cochrane

Former Finance Officer Nick Tenci handed over his report for the second quarter at last week’s OUSA Executive meeting. He made the report “mostly as a handover document” because, he justified, “it took a while to find my feet in the role and I’d hate Paul to go through the same thing.” The recently Read more...

Stolen design by Scarfie favourites

Posted 9:43pm Sunday 3rd August 2014 by Nina Harrap

Critic has discovered that the “original artwork” designed for the Starters Bar O-Week tee-shirts by local company Moodie Tuesday is actually the work of well-known American freelance artist Curtis Jinkins. The design, which portrays a Mexican-inspired skull motif and bears the words “Starters Bar” Read more...

World War One Centenary 2014 – 2018

Posted 10:15pm Sunday 27th July 2014 by Josie Cochrane

The 28th of July marks the beginning of the First World War Centenary, which will last until 2018. $17 million in lottery funding has been allocated by the Lottery Grants Board to commemorate next year’s centenary of ANZAC landings at Gallipoli. The University plans to mark the 100 years since WWI Read more...

Greatest hits / Greatest shits | Issue 17

Posted 10:15pm Sunday 27th July 2014 by Carys Goodwin

Greatest Hit This week’s Greatest Hit is an easy one. Just hop onto labour08.co.nz, refresh a few times, and you’ll see why. Perhaps campaign-year-specific websites aren’t the best idea if you’re not going to maintain them. Greatest Shit Normally I stick to New Zealand politics Read more...

Politweets | Issue 17

Posted 10:15pm Sunday 27th July 2014 by Carys Goodwin

We love you too? The novelty account of #TeamKey A few MPs got into this hashtag. It’s just common sense. Ba-dum-tish. Read more...

Critic tackles election year | Issue 17

Posted 10:15pm Sunday 27th July 2014 by Carys Goodwin

This week’s interview was much more successful than Te Ururoa’s. I spoke to David Seymour, the ACT candidate for Epsom, about everything from student loans to shades of yellow. The most notable discussion topic? His fascination with NZ First MP Tracey Martin, about whom he regaled me with stories Read more...

Where did all the Newcastle supporters come from?

Posted 10:15pm Sunday 27th July 2014 by Daniel Lormans

To the “it’s not soccer, it’s football” desk and there are reports of a bumper day for Dunedin black and white face paint retailers as the “Football United” tour kicked off in Dunedin last Tuesday with English Premier League side Newcastle United taking on Australian also-rans, Sydney F.C. Read more...

Otago global exchange week

Posted 10:15pm Sunday 27th July 2014 by Critic

This week, 28 August – 1 September, is the University of Otago’s Global Exchange Week. Amongst other events, the week will feature seminars on exchange destinations and information on the finer details, such as funding and accommodation, and meet-and-greets with returned exchange students. A full Read more...

$12 Shuttle beats 30km hitch-hike

Posted 10:15pm Sunday 27th July 2014 by Anna Whyte

OUSA and Airport Shuttles Dunedin’s student service has proven very successful this year. OUSA has seen over 4,500 students taking advantage of the cheaper fares between January and June 2014. OUSA President Ruby Sycamore-Smith said, “We’re astounded by the success of the shuttles and we’re rapt Read more...

Proctology | Issue 17

Posted 10:15pm Sunday 27th July 2014 by Josie Cochrane

After a long break since our last catch-up with the Proctor, he had plenty to fill Critic in on. He even forgot to mention that students should try to pull red cards without the alcohol. There have been reports of boys flashing their “gear” in the library “and waving it about.” The Proctor Read more...

Bank of England slams economics textbooks

Posted 10:15pm Sunday 27th July 2014 by Laura Munro

A recent Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin claims that the information written in widely used economics textbooks is incorrect. The false information in question teaches the Credit Creation Model, which explains how money is created. This method is taught at the University of Otago in BSNS104, The Read more...

Physio pool patrons probably pissed

Posted 10:15pm Sunday 27th July 2014 by Nina Harrap

Dunedin’s only physiotherapy pool is facing closure and dismayed pool users are vowing to fight the decision. The Southern District Health Board currently maintains the Otago Therapeutic Pool, which was built in 1946 and listed as a category-two heritage building. However, the board have recently Read more...

OUSA Art Week to happen

Posted 10:15pm Sunday 27th July 2014 by Laura Munro

OUSA’s annual Art Week is set to commence on 28 July, running through until 1 August. Rachel Enright, OUSA’s Senior Events Coordinator, told Critic, “All events are open to the public, [and] we especially encourage the public to come along to the Exhibition and Sale as well as getting involved with Read more...

Apathetic student voters just don't give a fuck

Posted 10:15pm Sunday 27th July 2014 by Carys Goodwin

Voter enrolment statistics as at 20 July 2014 reveal that Dunedin North is one of the worst electorates in terms of 18-24-year-old voter enrolments. With just 51.35 per cent of the young population enrolled, Dunedin North is only better than the 35.47 per cent of Auckland Central. National enrolment Read more...

Government chomps dentistry school funding

Posted 10:15pm Sunday 27th July 2014 by Emily Draper

The Government has refused to assist the University of Otago with its $650 million building programme. The University will now have to fund the entirety of the proposed renovations itself, including an extension of the dental school programme. Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce told the Read more...

“Official Spokesbird for Conservation” will be famous

Posted 10:15pm Sunday 27th July 2014 by Nina Harrap

A documentary about New Zealand’s “Official Spokesbird for Conservation” has been selected as one of three finalists in the Newcomer section of WildScreen, one of the world’s most prestigious wildlife and environmental film festivals. The film, From Dud to Stud, was directed by Otago film graduate Read more...

Applied Sciences locks out students

Posted 10:15pm Sunday 27th July 2014 by Laura Munro

The University of Otago’s Department of Applied Sciences has received backlash from undergraduate design students because of a new rule denying student access to facilities after 5pm. The rule applies to use of the Applied Sciences stone building, which is currently shared with the Department of Read more...

Contraception: The Intra Uterine Device

Posted 5:12pm Sunday 20th July 2014 by Laura Munro

Women have a lot of options when it comes to contraception. Although condoms should be used for STI prevention, women have several other options in terms of extra contraception to avoid pregnancies. The options include the pill, the injection, the implant and the Intra Uterine Device. Critic Read more...

Greatest Hits / Greatest Shits | Issue 16

Posted 5:12pm Sunday 20th July 2014 by Carys Goodwin

Greatest HitsRecently Back Benches featured a number of youths. Hailing from Labour, National, Greens, NZ First, and ACT, these youths had a go at hashing out a few pressing issues. They also had a go at each other. This week’s Greatest Hit goes to an amazing call from ACT’s Louis Houlbrooke, who, Read more...

Politweets | Issue 16

Posted 5:12pm Sunday 20th July 2014 by Carys Goodwin

Fake Russel explains the new Green policy. There’s a parody account for everything these days, including POLS102. Read more...

Critic tackles election year | Issue 16

Posted 5:12pm Sunday 20th July 2014 by Carys Goodwin

Since taking on the job of Critic’s Official Politics Nerd, I’ve been able to chat to a number of politicians. Normally, this results in a combination of great discussion and inappropriate questions (and answers). The opportunity to interview MPs and the like is not often awarded to students, and I Read more...

Critic 2014 Football World Cup awards

Posted 5:12pm Sunday 20th July 2014 by Daniel Lormans

To the black, red and yellow World Cup desk where, like a good holiday in Brazil, it is fun at the time but you’re always happy to get home and back to normal once it’s all over. The 2014 edition of the World Cup was very exciting with a record amount of goals scored and enough controversy and funny Read more...

Medical library to make way for animal testing lab

Posted 5:12pm Sunday 20th July 2014 by Nina Harrap

The University of Otago is planning to turn the Medical Library into an animal-testing laboratory. The decision follows after an outbreak of parasitic worms that occurred at the current animal-testing lab. The parasitic outbreak posed no health risk to researchers or other staff. A statement Read more...

OUSA Awards: Hypothermic students rejoice

Posted 5:12pm Sunday 20th July 2014 by Emily Draper

2014 is the second year OUSA has held the Landlord Awards, previously named the Best/Worst Flat Awards. The change in name is intended to “place pressure on landlords to provide quality rental accommodation,” whilst also “showcasing landlords who do a great job in promoting student wellbeing,” says Read more...

Te Roopu

Posted 5:12pm Sunday 20th July 2014 by Mariana Te Pou

Kia ora koutou katoa ngā tauira o Te Whare Wānanga o Otākou: Ko tēnei te wiki o te reo Māori. Kua tae ki te wā kia whai koe i tō reo Māori. Ko te kaupapa “Te Kupu O Te Wiki”. Engari, e hiahia ana ahau kia ako koutou he kupu hou i a rā mo tenei wiki. Read more...

Otago law students' life on the inside

Posted 5:12pm Sunday 20th July 2014 by Anna Whyte

Law for Change, a national group of over 350 young lawyers and law students, are donating their time to helping with rehabilitation at the Otago Correction Facility. The members are all volunteering their skills and time to work on projects that address the unmet legal needs of local communities. Read more...

Students trying to avoid a life of debt

Posted 5:12pm Sunday 20th July 2014 by Josie Cochrane

Students are continuing to pursue more than just a degree whilst they spend time at the University of Otago. With an upcoming recruitment visit by the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) this week, Critic has spoken to a number of current and former students who have completed their studies whilst on Read more...

"Discount to rule them all" now permanent

Posted 5:12pm Sunday 20th July 2014 by Nina Harrap

The Otago Regional Council has announced that the 25 per cent tertiary discount on bus fares will become permanent. The trial period for the discount ran from 17 February to 30 April 2014 and was negotiated by OUSA as part of their plan to get more students to use the bus service. OUSA President Read more...

Piece of Castle to become zone of peace

Posted 5:12pm Sunday 20th July 2014 by Josie Cochrane

A Zone of Peace is to be declared covering the region from St David’s lecture theatre to the intersection of St David’s Street/Dundas Street. “It’s a voluntary initiative,” says Sung Yong Lee, lecturer at the National Peace and Conflict Centre at the University of Otago. There will be no Read more...

University athletes take on Australia

Posted 5:12pm Sunday 20th July 2014 by Anna Whyte

The University of Otago has returned from competing in the Eastern Australian University Games in Newcastle, placing ninth out of the 26 teams. Otago teams were the only non-Australian teams to compete. They managed to finish with all three of their teams in the top ten. Their participation in the Read more...

The 1104 By-Election votes are in

Posted 5:12pm Sunday 20th July 2014 by Josie Cochrane

Paul Hunt, Payal Ramritu and Jess McLean have been elected to positions on the OUSA Executive after almost five per cent of University of Otago students voted in last week’s by-election. The results were announced last Thursday 17 July. For the role of Finance Officer, Paul Hunt won with Read more...

Mufti cops join the party, albeit sober

Posted 5:12pm Sunday 20th July 2014 by Laura Munro

New Zealand Police will now be stationing plain-clothed officers in local Dunedin bars. The new initiative came into play last month to ensure bars’ compliance with the regulations of the Sale and Supply of Liquor Act 2012, which came into effect late last year. The initiative began in Read more...

Examination recounts result in seven per cent of marks changed

Posted 6:52pm Sunday 13th July 2014 by Josie Cochrane

Following investigations by Critic, it has been found that in 2013, there were 315 applications for a recount of examination results at the University of Otago. Of these, 21 people had their marks changed (6.7 per cent of applications), with 10 of these resulting in a whole letter grade change. In Read more...

Greatest hits / Greatest shits | Issue 15

Posted 6:52pm Sunday 13th July 2014 by Carys Goodwin

Greatest hitAs a “young person,” there’s nothing more cringe-worthy than watching non-youths attempt to become well versed in the wonderful world of the Internet if they don’t really understand how the Internet works. That makes social media campaigns hit-or-miss, and means they can either be really Read more...