Archive

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...

Politweets | Issue 15

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

Rude. You go, fake Hekia. Poor Brazil. Truth. Fake Russell gets on Labour’s Kiwi-everything bandwagon. Read more...

Critic tackles election year | Issue 15

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

The world of political discourse has always, and will always be, full of people who speak really loudly. Sometimes, these people are members of parliament or those who are otherwise politically involved. Sometimes, they’re politics students who happen to write for a student magazine and enjoy trying Read more...

The good, the bad and the ugly of Unipol

Posted 6:52pm Sunday 13th July 2014 by Daniel Lormans

This week we are checking in with the sweaty, grunting and largely ignored student fitness desk, where we know that being a University of Otago student comes with more perks than just a six-figure student debt and a decent chance to score a drunken pash at Boogie Nites. We also know that you can do Read more...

Record number of degrees in 2013

Posted 6:52pm Sunday 13th July 2014 by Anna Whyte

The Government released figures showing a 20 per cent increase in undergraduate degree qualifications in 2013, compared to those in 2008. According to the results, 25,800 New Zealand students graduated from their bachelor degrees in 2013. In 2008, 20,800 were completed. Tertiary Education Minister Read more...

High performing polytech wins popularity contest

Posted 6:52pm Sunday 13th July 2014 by Nina Harrap

Otago Polytechnic is showing an outstanding level of performance. As discussed at an Otago Polytechnic Council meeting on 4 July, the Polytechnic recently received three national teaching awards and the student roll has been rising rapidly, with a predicted increase of 10 per cent this year. Read more...

University to fork out $650m for upgrades

Posted 6:52pm Sunday 13th July 2014 by Nina Harrap

The University of Otago is set to spend $650 million on campus upgrades over the next 15 years. The new Priority Development Plan (PDP), recently approved by the University Council, includes over 20 upgrades. These include major changes to seven faculties, a number of health and safety Read more...

The great OUSA by-election of 2014

Posted 6:52pm Sunday 13th July 2014 by Critic

Following the departure of four executive members last semester, nominations have been received for the positions of Finance Officer, Welfare Officer, and Colleges and Communications Officer. The positions of Finance Officer and Welfare Officer each have two candidates running for the roles, whilst Read more...

Open textbooks launch at Otago

Posted 6:52pm Sunday 13th July 2014 by Laura Munro

University of Otago lecturers have recently led an Open Educational Resource (OER) project in conjunction with academics and librarians from New Zealand and Australia. The open textbook Media Studies 101 was created on 16 and 17 November 2013 and is partially funded by Creative Commons New Read more...

OUSA Recreation Centre officially opened

Posted 6:52pm Sunday 13th July 2014 by Laura Munro

After a year-long construction process, the new OUSA Recreation Centre has officially been opened. Staff, students and members of the public attended the opening, which was held at the facility last Tuesday 8 July. Attendees gathered in the foyer as guest speakers shared their views on how Read more...

Execrable | Issue 15

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

Last week’s meeting opened with discussion of the health and safety issue that is the upgrade of the barriers at OUSA’s Aquatic Centre. Originally budgeted for $18,000, OUSA now has to spend up to $42,000 on the upgrade, which they hope will last at least another 18 years. It was moved that the Read more...

No more liquor in the North D

Posted 6:52pm Sunday 13th July 2014 by Laura Munro

A liquor store located at 21 North Road has been granted a temporary off-licence for the next three months, following objections by the University of Otago to renew the licence. Store owner Preet Minhas originally applied for licence renewal on 5 June this year. The University immediately opposed Read more...

Politweets | Issue 14

Posted 1:08pm Sunday 6th July 2014 by Carys Goodwin

Well, that’s nice, Paula. #DJSuMo You’re not wrong, Tau. Read more...

Greatest Hits / Greatest Shits | Issue 14

Posted 1:08pm Sunday 6th July 2014 by Carys Goodwin

Greatest HitOur dearly beloved long-lived politician John “Banksie” Banks has resigned after a bit of a hiccup with the law. The Auckland readers of Critic will know him best, as he ruled the city with an iron fist for two separate terms (2001-2004; 2007-2010); Epsom residents will know him even Read more...

Critic tackles election year | Issue 14

Posted 1:08pm Sunday 6th July 2014 by Carys Goodwin

If you regularly read this page, you’ll know I have a bit of a fascination with Clare Curran. The Dunedin South MP/Twitter Warrior provides me with great Politweets fodder, and has tried a few times to make #cheeserolls trend. In fact, my encounter with her came down to a Twitter conversation. Read more...

Suarez

Posted 1:08pm Sunday 6th July 2014 by Daniel Lormans

Welcome back to the second semester, sports fans! Plenty to catch up on so, first, let’s go to the teeth-marked World Cup desk where, without a doubt, the biggest controversy so far has been Vampire Diaries and True Blood fanboy Luis Suarez’s attempt to sneak in a mid-game snack. Now, we all like Read more...

Sharks, sex and banana stunts

Posted 1:08pm Sunday 6th July 2014 by Anna Whyte

The International Science Festival is set to offer students a chance to prematurely boot their brains back into action for semester two. Taking place over Re-O Week from 5 July to 13 July, the festival will offer students a sober break from the traditional Re-O Week activities. Leading Read more...

Crimes on Cargill by violent school girls

Posted 1:08pm Sunday 6th July 2014 by Josie Cochrane

Three young women were assaulted in Dunedin on the night of Saturday 28 June on Cargill Street. Footage of the attack has been widely shared across social media sites, showing the women being punched and kicked by seven other teenagers. One girl was kicked in the forehead so hard that it left an Read more...

Pinging for better grades

Posted 1:08pm Sunday 6th July 2014 by Laura Munro

Recent research conducted at the University of Auckland has shown that six per cent of the 400 students surveyed had used drugs as a study aid. The most common drug used by students was Ritalin, a B class drug often referred to on the streets as “Ritz.” Ritalin is a medication prescribed to Read more...

Gigatown bribes students and gets #insensitive

Posted 1:08pm Sunday 6th July 2014 by Laura Munro

Chorus’ Gigatown competition has come under fire after a post on their Facebook page was seen as insensitive by members of the public. On 8 June, a head-on collision involving four teenagers occurred on Dunedin’s Southern Motorway. Gigatown Dunedin’s Facebook page posted a status on the day of the Read more...

The DCC's $4,000 mistake

Posted 1:08pm Sunday 6th July 2014 by Laura Munro

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull has mistakenly spent $3,900 of rate payer’s money on purchasing what he believed to be leg irons used to hold Maori prisoners in the Victorian Era. Cull told Critic the DCC discovered the auction when it was published in the Otago Daily Times, along with an image of Read more...

The Bye-Bi-By-Election

Posted 1:08pm Sunday 6th July 2014 by Josie Cochrane

The start of the second semester will bring in a few fresh faces to the OUSA Executive, following the resignation of four Executive members at the end of the first semester. Two of the resignations were expected as Brydie Ockwell, Colleges and Communications Officer, and Nick Tenci, Finance Read more...

Execrable | Issue 14

Posted 1:08pm Sunday 6th July 2014 by Josie Cochrane

The second round of quarterly reports were presented at last week’s OUSA Executive meeting. It was to be the final meeting for four Executive members, who recently resigned, but with the exception of outgoing International Students’ Officer Kamil Saifuddin they failed to show, believing that their Read more...

Textbooks: Funding lecturers to wine and dine

Posted 2:07pm Sunday 25th May 2014 by Josie Cochrane

Purchasing textbooks is yet another cost universities expect students to meet every semester. The cost and quality of textbooks ranges enormously between papers and, too often, the matter is aggravated when lecturers only use a few chapters of the textbook, or require a new edition of the text Read more...

Politweets | Issue 13

Posted 2:07pm Sunday 25th May 2014 by Carys Goodwin

Snap. Clever. That is an incredible mental image. It’s ok to be bald, Tau. We all have our guilty pleasures. Read more...

Greatest Hits / Greatest Shits | Issue 13

Posted 2:07pm Sunday 25th May 2014 by Carys Goodwin

Greatest HitsThe Greatest Hit this week goes to a brand new political party attempting to grace New Zealand with its presence: the Civilian Party. Based on the satirical news site, the Civilian Party stands for a variety of ludicrous and hilarious things. Some of their policies include “defend the Read more...

Critic tackles election year | Issue 13

Posted 2:07pm Sunday 25th May 2014 by Carys Goodwin

On 15 May, the annual New Zealand Budget was released. For many people the word “budget” elicits an eye roll and a groan, bringing forth images of Excel spreadsheets and a motherly voice explaining exactly why you can’t buy that hideous sofa from the Sallies. In some respects, that’s exactly what Read more...

One of the many reasons I am not in the All Blacks

Posted 2:07pm Sunday 25th May 2014 by Daniel Lormans

To the superlatively super Super Rugby desk, which has shaken itself from its slumber and is starting to get exciting. We all know I am a sucker for a nice drop goal and Hayden Parker’s golden boot has been in good form, racking up all 18 points for the Highlanders against the Hurricanes. Read more...

Sausage gets messy at SGM

Posted 2:07pm Sunday 25th May 2014 by Josie Cochrane

The Student General Meeting (SGM) was held at 12.35pm last Thursday outside the OUSA office, in order to notify OUSA members of last year’s constitutional breach at the NZUSA election. The breach in question occurred when three representatives of OUSA attended the NZUSA election last year. Read more...

Proctology

Posted 2:07pm Sunday 25th May 2014 by Claudia Herron

This week’s visit to the Proctor saw students fronting the cost of their drunken antics by way of joy rides in the ambulance, trips to the dry cleaners and stolen lunches. While many end up at A&E on a Saturday with little recollection of how their injuries were sustained, the Proctor was Read more...

Pickering picks OUSA pockets

Posted 2:07pm Sunday 25th May 2014 by Emily Draper

Talented Ice Hockey player Luke Pickering was among the eight talented students selected in the first round of Individual OUSA Grants this year. OUSA have awarded 45 Individual and Club Grants so far this year, and have completed two out of six rounds of grants. Pickering used his $500 grant Read more...

St David’s 2 receives $9.65 million upgrade to not fall

Posted 2:07pm Sunday 25th May 2014 by Laura Munro

St David’s 2 will become the new home to the Department of Applied Science following a $9.65 million upgrade necessary to increase the building’s earthquake safety rating. Originally constructed in 1997 and formerly used for Foundation Studies, the building was measured in 2014 to be at 34 per cent Read more...

Poppa's sale complicated by lease extension refusal

Posted 2:07pm Sunday 25th May 2014 by Claudia Herron

The future of another student institution is up in the air with Poppa’s Pizza on the market and the current landlord unwilling to comment on its future after the lease’s expiry. The existing lease is set to terminate in December 2016, with the current operator, Steve Munro, saying, “I’ve done my Read more...

DCC to trial pedestrian precint

Posted 2:07pm Sunday 25th May 2014 by Nina Harrap

Two Otago post-graduate students are working to transform the lower Octagon into a pedestrian precinct with their submission to the DCC’s Annual Plan gaining momentum and support from councillors. Georgina Hampton, a PhD student in Genetics, and Alexis Belton, an honours student in Geology, Read more...

Dunedin flats to be rated, warranted and starred

Posted 4:32pm Sunday 18th May 2014 by Josie Cochrane

“Many of the landlords are nervous about it and maybe they should be,” says Rate My Flat co-founder, Lindsey Horne. Ratemyflat.org.nz is yet another scheme putting the pressure on landlords to improve rental accommodation. The new flat rating system will launch next semester with the intention of Read more...

Greatest Hits / Greatest Shits | Issue 12

Posted 4:32pm Sunday 18th May 2014 by Carys Goodwin

Greatest HitsOver the past few weeks, Campbell Live has been running an “at home with the leaders” segment, where John Campbell goes to party leaders’ houses and eats the dinner they cook. While it might be a strange twist on Come Dine With Me, it’s a good way to see what the leaders are like as Read more...