Archive

Uni SCRAMBLES to Find POPH192 Tutors

Posted 5:43pm Saturday 26th July 2025 by Molly Smith-Soppet

Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) students are panicking – and it's not about if they will get into Med for a change. This time, it’s because there are no tutors to help them get the grades. St Marg’s, Arana, Hayward and 192 Castle College were all without POPH192 tutors at the Read more...

Minion Rave Reviewed: Where were all the babois?

Posted 5:39pm Saturday 26th July 2025 by Hanna Varrs, Gryffin Blockley and Maddy Barnes

OUSA was reaching for the moon for the Friday of Re-O, hosting a Minion-themed boiler room at U-Bar. Critic Te Ārohi was more than happy to go bananas and review the event – only to be greeted by a desolate dance floor. There were like 20 people there.  Of the OUSA-run Re-Ori Read more...

Carrington Flood Refugees Flee to Toroa

Posted 5:36pm Saturday 26th July 2025 by Hugh Askerud

Carrington residents of Dawson House spent last week in Toroa College after a flooding incident which saw two floors of the building seeped in sewage. The University confirmed to Critic that the culprit flushed paper towels down a toilet, soiling fourteen freshers’ rooms. In other news, Toroa Read more...

Freshers Unhappy with Halls’ New Allergen Management

Posted 5:34pm Saturday 26th July 2025 by Ali G.

Following an allergen mishap at Te Rangihīroa, the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) has launched an investigation into halls’ food allergen management procedures. All colleges have now rejigged their allergen management systems, which some say are for the better, and others say for Read more...

Campus Endures 269 Days of Cheesing

Posted 5:13pm Saturday 19th July 2025 by Harry Almey

It was the 11th of October 2024. The Uni’s Te Korokoro O Te Tūī performing arts studio sat basking in the spring sunshine. But on this mundane Friday at 4:52pm, a slice of cheese was photographed on a window, just above the entrance. Almost a year later, the cheese slice that had Read more...

OUSA Exec Gives Birth to Student Charter

Posted 4:53pm Saturday 19th July 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

OUSA’s proposed Student Charter was finally approved at last week’s Exec meeting, birthing it into the wonderful world of policy and bureaucracy. The charter outlines key issues and priorities that students are facing in Dunedin – unfortunately lowering the price of butter did not Read more...

The Rise and Fall of the Green Solo

Posted 4:48pm Saturday 19th July 2025 by Zoe Eckhoff

Ah the kakariki takitahi, a force that once breathed minty nicotine into the lungs of breathas and sheathas alike. But no more, for its reign hath come to a halt. Before the eve of June 17th there was a time when you couldn’t walk down George Street on a Saturday night without seeing the Read more...

Breaking News: You Might Be on Meth and Not Even Know It

Posted 4:47pm Saturday 19th July 2025 by Molly Smith-Soppet

If you felt like O-Week hit harder this year, it wasn't just the hangxiety talking. We felt the same, so we’ve done it again; we hit up the Police to analyse everyone’s piss, and fuck you had a good O-Week! There was a dramatic surge in MDMA consumption across Dunedin during February Read more...

Critical Tribune: University of Otago Reveals Rainbet Sponsorship

Posted 4:18pm Saturday 19th July 2025 by Anderson Coomer

A University of Otago spokesperson, operating under the Instagram handle UoOslaps, has revealed a controversial new partnership with offshore gambling platform Rainbet.  In an Instagram Reel featuring a desk littered with paperwork, a leaked law exam, and printouts of boomer complaints from Read more...

Critic Census Reveals Students’ Opinion on Uni’s Institutionally Neutral Stance

Posted 2:44pm Monday 14th July 2025 by Nina Brown

The University issued a statement on institutional neutrality on May 8th in response to mounting pressure to have a political stance on the genocide in Palestine. Shortly afterward, Critic Te Ārohi ran its fifth annual census, published on May 13th, including the question: “Do you think Read more...

Students Swarm the Beehive: Youth Parliament Debriefed

Posted 1:01pm Monday 14th July 2025 by Jonathan McCabe

Youth Parliament provides a socially acceptable setting for rangatahi to yell at a room full of important people. The biggest news story to come from Youth Parliament were the accusations of censoring the youth voice, levied against the Ministry of Youth Development (MYD). Critic Te Ārohi had a Read more...

(OUSA) Greening Out: Second Quarter Reports Summarised

Posted 12:59pm Monday 14th July 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

Two quarters (for non math majors: half) of a year in, it’s been hectic for the OUSA Executive. They’ve been no strangers to Critic Te Ārohi’s headlines, with a referendum, BDS postures and questions of Political Rep Jett’s conflict of interest making appearances – Read more...

Law Exam Leak Labelled “Crippling”

Posted 12:51pm Monday 14th July 2025 by Sam Smith-Soppet

On the morning of Friday June 6, Law students had been gearing up for one of their biggest exams of Semester One, LAWS407 Company Law. A couple of hours before the exam, however, they received an email from the University advising that following a breach of academic conduct, they’d been forced Read more...

Campus Banksy Calls Out ‘Old Boys' Club’ Exec

Posted 12:46pm Tuesday 17th June 2025 by Nina Brown

In the wake of news that Political Rep Jett Groshinski will be running for council and continuing in his role despite a conflict of interest, anti-OUSA Exec propaganda posters have popped up on notice boards around campus calling for Jett to resign. As of writing, Jett tells Critic he has no plans Read more...

Council-Gunning Political Rep’s Conflict of Interest

Posted 3:50pm Tuesday 3rd June 2025 by Nina Brown

With a cheesy ODT photoshoot and a big wide grin, on Wednesday, May 21st OUSA’s Political Representative Jett Groshinski announced his Labour-endorsed bid to stand for Local Body Elections (LBE). Over the course of two (rather tense) Exec meetings, they have collectively decided on a conflict Read more...

Online Gambling Platform Illegally Promotes Through Students

Posted 5:54pm Sunday 25th May 2025 by Sam Smith-Soppet

Online gambling monolith, Rainbet, has come into the spotlight for their advertising strategy in New Zealand, dishing out the cash for Gen Z influencers to promote gambling to their peers – some right here in Dunedin. The catch: it’s not exactly legal. Rainbet has been using student Read more...

Campus Creeps (and what to do about them)

Posted 5:52pm Sunday 25th May 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

A student has approached Critic Te Ārohi with an uncomfortable situation that took place in the Staff Club café, involving a “creepy” encounter with an older man who could not take a hint.  Anita* originally reached out to Critic with a letter to the Editor after an Read more...

Rachel Brooking’s Stance for Students

Posted 5:29pm Sunday 25th May 2025 by Hanna Varrs

Politics are at the forefront of people’s minds in a local body election year – most of all your local politicians, such as Dunedin MP Rachel Brooking. For many students, Dunedin living is a temporary situation, nestled in North D for three years before jetting back to Te Read more...

The Great Cup Snatch: Takeaway Cups Gone from Campus Cafés

Posted 5:23pm Sunday 25th May 2025 by Jonathan McCabe

Uni-owned cafés were rocked by a surprise email on the 7th of May, being served with the ice-cold news that iced drinks could no longer be served in biodegradable plastic takeaway cups. In a huge loss for people who actually go to class, students will no longer be able to carry around their Read more...

Breaking In, Throwing Up

Posted 5:21pm Sunday 25th May 2025 by Molly Smith-Soppet

A Roslyn flat got more than they bargained for on a quiet Friday night when a drunk student broke into their home, took off his shoes, and vomited into a flatmate's hamper – all while apologising profusely. Daniel, a recent PhD grad (yes, Doctor Daniel) had been asleep in bed when he Read more...

Mould-Mapping North D

Posted 4:52pm Sunday 25th May 2025 by Hunter Jolly

Last week, the Tenancy Compliance and Investigation Team (TCIT) did the rounds of North-D flats. The government-run team sieged (door-knocked) flats to check that they are complying with the Residential Tenancies Act 1986. In other words, to check whether students have been slumming it in Read more...

Political (In)Action Committee?

Posted 10:52pm Sunday 18th May 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

Amnesty Youth Otago (AYO) and the Politics Students Association (POLSA) have expressed concern to Critic Te Ārohi over OUSA’s new Political Action Committee (PAC), citing worries about inclusion and representation. PAC is supposedly a committee formed to assist Political Rep Jett Read more...

Marine Science Students Refunded After Unfair Paper Charges Revealed

Posted 10:49pm Sunday 18th May 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

In great news for Mako Mermaid fans-turned-students, MARI403 students have been refunded the $267.89 more they were paying for the exact same paper as ECOL411 students. This comes after Critic reported on the disparity last week, thanks to a tip-off from ECOL411 student and OUSA Academic Rep Stella Read more...

Exec SLASHES 82% of Referendum Questions

Posted 10:43pm Sunday 18th May 2025 by Nina Brown

After begging students to submit questions for the biannual OUSA referendum, the Exec has slashed the final list of 103 questions to just 19. Students will soon be invited to flex their democratic muscles and vote a hearty “yes”, disapproving “no” or an apathetic “I Read more...

The Heavy Breathers Are Back, Baby

Posted 10:40pm Sunday 18th May 2025 by Matilda Rumball-Smith

In 2023, a group of 33 third-year boys, calling themselves the ‘Heavy Breathers’, raised 100k to support men’s mental health. The Breathers ran the Emerson’s Dunedin Marathon, donating their proceeds to mental health charity Spark That Chat. And for 2025, they’re back. Read more...

Capping Show Review: The Good, The Bad, and The Nazi Jokes

Posted 10:38pm Sunday 18th May 2025 by Hanna Varrs, Molly Smith Soppet, Iris Hehir & Ellie Bennett

Warning: Semi-spoilers for Capping Show included.  Critic Te Ārohi braved the rain and headed along to the opening of this year’s Capping Show, dressed to the nines (in our old hall merch – opening night was fresher-themed) and ready for a hilarious night.  The Read more...

The Saltiest Pretzel Stick CONSPIRACY

Posted 10:33pm Sunday 18th May 2025 by Zoe Eckhoff

Ahh the pretzel stick. A delicacy for 5-year-olds with the finest taste. A lunchbox snack that your friends would always ask for a share of. A crispy, salted delight in stick form; it’s genius. Well, if you were looking for another reason to hate capitalism, this is it. The beloved pretzel Read more...

Op-Ed: Otago Community holding Congress to adopt the Otago Declaration on Palestine

Posted 3:38pm Sunday 11th May 2025 by Staff for Palestine

On Thursday 15th May at 12pm staff, students and alumni from the University of Otago community are coming together to adopt a Declaration that supports Palestinian rights and adopts BDS (Boycott, Divest, Sanction). All staff, students and alumni are invited to join us as we come together to stand Read more...

Radio One’s Racket for NZ Music Month

Posted 3:28pm Sunday 11th May 2025 by Hanna Varrs

The month of May is upon us, and as is Music Month across the motu – a time of year that has its roots firmly intertwined with student media. That’s a lot of M’s.  The pioneers of Music Month are our radio stations, which consistently lift the bar in promoting Aotearoa Read more...

A Tale of Twin, Differently Priced Papers

Posted 3:26pm Sunday 11th May 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

It’s a tale of two papers: ECOL411 (Reading Ecology) and MARI403 (Critical Thinking for Environmental Scientists). Both papers are more similar than they may seem at first: same course coordinator, assessments and taught together at the same time, in the same room. So what’s the Read more...

Unattended Pot Teaches Lesson in Fire Safety

Posted 3:24pm Sunday 11th May 2025 by Cailin Williams

Waking up to a group of hot, sweaty men in uniform does not sound like something one might be opposed to, though the high chance of suffocation from smoke inhalation may change your mind. Second-year Dundas-dweller Zara experienced something that can only be found in a plot of a Colleen Hoover book Read more...

Ōtepoti’s Largest Trans-Rights Protest

Posted 3:07pm Sunday 11th May 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

Hundreds gathered in the Octagon on the 3rd of May in a loud, proud, and unrelenting show of solidarity against New Zealand First’s proposed gender definition bill. It was reportedly Ōtepoti’s largest ever trans-rights protest, with rainbow umbrellas against drizzly weather giving a Read more...

Uni To Maintain Institutionally Neutral, Adopt Ethical Policy

Posted 3:04pm Sunday 11th May 2025 by Nina Brown

The long-awaited results of a University working group on institutional neutrality are out. The University of Otago announced last week that they will be accepting the recommendations of the group’s 25 page report to adopt a statement on institutional neutrality (dubbed “vague and Read more...

Amnesty Forum Sparks Urgent Conversations

Posted 3:01pm Sunday 11th May 2025 by Ella Grayson

On April 14, Amnesty Youth Otago hosted a dynamic forum in the Business School – titled “People Power Movement: Youth Criminal Justice and Youth Activism”. The talk drew students, advocates, and change-makers into a discussion on the future of justice and equity. Amnesty Read more...

“Intimidating” and Possibly Haunted Portraits Removed from Med School

Posted 10:14pm Sunday 4th May 2025 by Adam Stitely

The removal of portraits depicting former Obstetrics (the medical speciality of childbirth and postpartum), Gynaecology and Women’s Health Heads of Departments from the Med School has caused rumours to circulate. A little birdy told Critic Te Ārohi that some students had found them Read more...

Ōtepoti Outrage at NZ First “Transphobic” Bill

Posted 10:03pm Sunday 4th May 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

New Zealand First has submitted a members’ bill to the Parliamentarian biscuit tin that would define the meaning of ‘man’ and ‘woman’ to mean “an adult human biological male” and a “adult human biological female” respectively within the Read more...

Rising Stars Team Up With Dunedin Youth Orchestra

Posted 10:00pm Sunday 4th May 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

Three young Dunedinites are set to grace the stage of Ōtepoti’s Town Hall on May 16th, alongside the local legends that are the Dunedin Youth Orchestra. Aptly taking place during New Zealand’s music month, the night will feature two parts – a programme from the Youth Read more...

Spilling The (Bubble) Tea: Why Was Chatime Closed?

Posted 9:58pm Sunday 4th May 2025 by Hanna Varrs

The campus branch of iconic bubble tea vendor ‘Chatime’ is rumoured to have been closed due to the Uni’s disposable cup policy, sparked by a UoO ‘Meaningful Confessions’ Facebook post that alleges the “stupid university sustainability people” won’t Read more...

Student Climate Activist Summoned to Court

Posted 9:37pm Sunday 4th May 2025 by Nina Brown

Many students take advantage of the Easter Break for a Central Otago roadie, an extortionately priced flight home to the Easter bunny (Mum and Dad), or to hole up in the library and catch up on assignments – all noble causes. In a more bespoke use of their break, a handful of Otago students Read more...

Poppa’s Pizza Turns 50

Posted 9:35pm Sunday 4th May 2025 by Stella Weston

Established in 1975 and born to an ex-Scarfie duo originally from Italy, Poppa’s Pizza is New Zealand’s oldest pizzeria at 50 years old – and for good reason. Critic Te Ārohi sat at the feet of the grandaddy pizzeria for a history lesson. It was two students who originally Read more...

Execrable: Another “Robust” Meeting

Posted 9:33pm Sunday 4th May 2025 by Nina Brown

It seems the Easter Break was well-needed for the OUSA Exec, who showed up to their first meeting back looking a bit sleepy – except for the golden labrador, Bailey, who enthusiastically chewed his squeaky toy the whole time. President Liam had worked throughout the break, something he Read more...

Opinion: The OUSA Referendum Has Been Very Poorly Advertised

Posted 10:32pm Sunday 27th April 2025 by Hanna Varrs

Hear ye, hear ye! OUSA referendum question submissions are open and will close on the 2nd of May. That’s really fucking soon – so whip out your thinking caps and email Vice-Pres Amy Martin (adminvp@ousa.org.nz) with all the questions you can think of!  Want a student bar? Shall Read more...

OSJP Rally For Palestine (Again)

Posted 10:30pm Sunday 27th April 2025 by Hanna Varrs

Otago Students for Justice in Palestine (OSJP) held another rally for Palestine on Otago University campus on April 16th*. Speeches were given by Neave, an organiser for OSJP, and Brandon Johnstone, a member of Staff for Palestine. The group proceeded to march around the Uni, chanting for their Read more...

Return Of The Weka

Posted 9:54pm Sunday 27th April 2025 by Zoe Eckhoff

Flightless, small, curious, and feisty. You may think we’re describing your most recent Tinder date, but Critic is actually describing an endemic bird: the weka. While weka are likely not fond of a candlelit steak dinner (they prefer the most critical piece of metal you bring along camping, Read more...

Opinion: The Mid-semester Conspiracy That The Clocktower Doesn’t Want You To Know About

Posted 9:50pm Sunday 27th April 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

It’s a tale as old as time (or 1869 at least): slumped in a chair in your first lecture post mid-semester break, you see your UC mate’s story. There he is, week two into his three-week break, cracking a beer or doing whatever tragic standard ‘fun’ is for an engineer. Our Read more...

A Marathon Effort for Mental Health

Posted 9:47pm Sunday 27th April 2025 by Stella Weston

Content warning: Mention of suicide Scott Casey-Woolridge (“Scoot” as he’s known by friends) is a fifth-year Otago student who’s planning an utterly insane physical feat for Matariki weekend to raise money for the I Am Hope Foundation. I Am Hope focuses on mental health, Read more...

Voyagers Roll Red Carpet for Critic Alumni

Posted 9:43pm Sunday 27th April 2025 by Nina Brown

Two former Critic Te Ārohi editors have been named as finalists for the 2025 Voyager Media Awards: Joel MacManus (2018) and Fox Meyer (2022-2023). Both now based in the Beehive’s Press Gallery and working for The Spinoff and Newsroom respectively, the pair credit Critic Te Ārohi for Read more...

Yep, Someone Actually Read Them: OUSA Exec’s First Quarterly Reports

Posted 12:15am Monday 14th April 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

It’s that time of year when Critic gets its hands on the coveted quarterly reports of our OUSA overlords. Rumour has it these are just as sought-after as a copy of Sunrise on the Reaping. Our Exec members get paid by honorarium, meaning they have to provide proof they’ve done stuff to Read more...

Sustainability Office: Tetra Pak Recycling and Prizes for Sticking Around for the Mid-Sem

Posted 11:56pm Sunday 13th April 2025 by Hanna Varrs

The nature-loving students at the helm of the University of Otago’s Sustainability Office have announced a range of projects to keep campus clean and green. Critic Te Ārohi sat down with tētēkura (student leads) for a fantastic yap about waste management (subverting the rubbish Read more...

Stopping Starters

Posted 11:52pm Sunday 13th April 2025 by Connor Moffat

‘Twas a sad day for the OGs of Dunedin on April 2nd when iconic student watering hole Starters Bar was demolished. An excavator took to the walls of the pre-loved pub, tearing it limb from limb. Many past Starters enthusiasts looked on, commiserating over shared memories from the former, and Read more...