Archive

Grinch Continues to Ruin EXMSS

Posted 1:51pm Sunday 8th September 2013 by Bella Macdonald

Following revelations about the Massey University Extramural Students’ Society (EXMSS) President’s salary, EXMSS is once again under scrutiny after one of its staff was suspended without explanation and a member of the Executive unexpectedly resigned on the eve of an Annual General Meeting. Read more...

Execrable | Issue 22

Posted 1:51pm Sunday 8th September 2013 by Sam McChesney

The agenda for last week’s Exec meeting totalled 70 pages, with 27 different items listed. The room had been booked for five hours, but thankfully the meeting “only” lasted three. So, what happened? 1. Serious financial discussions devolved into sugar-fuelled gigglings. Fran kept losing his Read more...

Bus Trial to Cost Far Less Than Actual Bus

Posted 1:51pm Sunday 8th September 2013 by Zane Pocock

The trial for tertiary student discount bus fares set up by OUSA, OPSA and the Otago Regional Council (ORC) is expected to cost the ORC up to $15,000. Ratepayers have been assured, however, that they will not be hit in the pocket. ORC Chairman Stephen Woodhead put the trial “in perspective” Read more...

Arrest And Relaxation

Posted 1:51pm Sunday 8th September 2013 by Anna Bradley-Smith

Students heading away on their OE may soon face a nasty surprise, with new legislation poised to stop the worst loan-defaulters at the border. The Student Loan Scheme Amendment Bill (No 3), which would allow for the arrest of those who have defaulted on student-loan repayments, passed its Read more...

Students Learn to Appear Good and Fuck the World Discreetly

Posted 1:51pm Sunday 8th September 2013 by Zane Pocock

Disciplinary figures released to the Otago Daily Times last week under the Official Information Act show that student behaviour for the first half of 2013 has significantly improved when compared to the same period last year. Only five students were referred to Vice-Chancellor Prof Harlene Read more...

Words Superimposed Onto Ad

Posted 1:51pm Sunday 8th September 2013 by Jamie Breen

This Saturday will host an event designed to bridge the gap between Dunedin’s “town and gown” student population and the general public. The Dunedin Craft Beer and Food Festival, to be held on 14 September, is described by the event organisers as “an evolving platform upon which craft brewers can Read more...

Interview: Steve Drain of The Westboro Baptist Church

Posted 1:51pm Sunday 8th September 2013 by Tristan Keillor

Westboro Baptist Church has become infamous over the past twenty years for its stridently anti-gay messages and picketing of soldiers’ funerals. Steve Drain is a former documentarian who joined the Church in 2001. Drain featured heavily in Louis Theroux’s documentaries The Most Hated Family in Read more...

OUSA to Pad Eleven More CVs

Posted 1:51pm Sunday 8th September 2013 by Staff Reporter

Nominations for positions on the 2014 OUSA Executive are now open until 4pm on 19 September, with voting to take place from 31 September to 4pm on 3 October. There are 11 positions on the Executive. In addition to the full-time position of President, there are four 20-hour positions Read more...

Switched On Museum to Bring Prostitution, Gambling

Posted 1:51pm Sunday 8th September 2013 by Josie Cochrane

The Marijuana Museum of Dunedin, founded by Abe Gray of Otago Norml and Julian Crawford of the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party (ALCP), opens its doors this week to educate locals and tourists on the world of cannabis. Crawford is also a candidate for the Otago District Health Board (DHB) and the Read more...

Council to Railroad Cars Into Cycle Lanes

Posted 1:51pm Sunday 8th September 2013 by Jack Montgomerie

The Dunedin City Council looks set to implement a transport strategy focusing on cycling, walking and public transport in the downtown area. However, a group representing local businesses has accused the strategy of neglecting its needs, prompting a sharp online response from the Mayor. The Read more...

Interview: Grant Robertson

Posted 3:48pm Sunday 1st September 2013 by Zane Pocock

Deputy Leader of the Opposition Grant Robertson has recently declared his candidacy for the leadership of the Labour Party. Zane Pocock spoke to the former OUSA President about the leadership contest and his plans for the Party. Why should a university student Labour member vote for you? Read more...

NZUSA in the Toilet

Posted 3:48pm Sunday 1st September 2013 by Sam McChesney

Student presidents around the country are calling for sweeping reforms to the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA), after the Waikato Students’ Union (WSU) notified its withdrawal from the organisation. In a press release circulated on 22 August, the Presidents of OUSA, VUWSA Read more...

Seven Visors Deemed Super

Posted 3:48pm Sunday 1st September 2013 by Bella Macdonald

The OUSA 2013 Supervisor of the Year Awards were held on 26 August, with awards given to seven University of Otago supervisors. The role of the supervisor is to oversee and support postgraduate students in the writing of their theses. Finalists for the awards were selected based on student Read more...

Acklin Calls It Quits After Nine Illustrious Years

Posted 3:48pm Sunday 1st September 2013 by Jack Montgomerie

Recidivist drink driver, Elvis impersonator and Dunedin City Councillor Bill Acklin has announced that he will not seek re-election when the city votes for its council in November. Cr. Acklin, whose business dealings have previously left him owing $190,000 to the Inland Revenue Department, told the Read more...

Mosgiel Chainsaw Canister

Posted 3:48pm Sunday 1st September 2013 by Thomas Raethel

A six-hour standoff took place in Mosgiel between police and a man who had locked himself in his garage with a running chainsaw. Critic is astounded at how long it took for the chainsaw to run out of fuel. After being called to a domestic incident on Murray St at 8pm on 22 August, police were Read more...

Money Thrown at Peace And Conflict Centre

Posted 3:48pm Sunday 1st September 2013 by Josie Cochrane

An anonymous $500,000 donation has been made to the University of Otago’s National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies. Centre Director Professor Kevin Clements said that the donor, an Auckland businessman, does not want personal recognition. “He believes very strongly in the importance of Read more...

Otago Sciences Less Valuable Than Waikato’s, says MBIE

Posted 3:48pm Sunday 1st September 2013 by Zane Pocock

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce last Wednesday announced the 51 research projects from around New Zealand that will be funded in this year’s $278 million Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) science investment round. The University of Otago is “disappointed” to Read more...

Rather Nice Automobile Discovered

Posted 3:48pm Sunday 1st September 2013 by Josie Cochrane

A 1922 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost has been discovered inside a container at Port Otago’s Dunedin container yard. The Rolls-Royce, found earlier this month, has never been registered in New Zealand, and it is yet to be confirmed whether the original body remains in place. Even in its current state, the Read more...

Alt Pub Just A Bit Too Breezy Ankles

Posted 3:48pm Sunday 1st September 2013 by Jamie Breen

Last week was difficult for the bar Mou Very. The local watering hole for sweaty hipsters faced a public hearing last Wednesday after failing to meet the liquor licensing requirements. Mou Very was originally granted a temporary licence in February in order to allow the bar to operate while Read more...

Forsyth Barr Stadium May Be Sinking

Posted 3:48pm Sunday 1st September 2013 by Irrelevant Irvine

Critic has been informed by “people in the know” that Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium is sinking on its foundations. Built on reclaimed land, which requires buildings to have floating foundations, it is believed that when steel was added to the monstrous construction it immediately began to Read more...

Late Crate Debate Suffocates After Eight Great Speight’s-Fuelled Dates With Mates

Posted 3:48pm Sunday 1st September 2013 by Claudia Herron

Acknowledging the “harmful drinking culture in New Zealand,” the Otago University Debating Society (OUDS) will “no longer sanction” the infamous Crate Debate. The decision, which has been kept under wraps, first came to Critic’s attention after moderators deleted a comment attacking the decision on Read more...

Shit System to Be Made Less Shit

Posted 3:48pm Sunday 1st September 2013 by Thomas Raethel

The Performance-Based Research Fund is set to undergo changes in an effort to save time and reduce compliance costs for researchers. In a 26 August press release, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment, Steven Joyce, confirmed that a review is underway. The Government plans to Read more...

DCC Shafts Students Despite Withdrawing Poll

Posted 3:48pm Sunday 1st September 2013 by Sam McChesney

The Dunedin City Council has scrapped plans to introduce a polling booth on campus during the upcoming local body elections. The returning officer, Pam Jordan, made the decision after concerns were raised that the booth could give the appearance of favouritism toward OUSA President Francisco Read more...

NZUSA to Face Do-Or-Die Reforms

Posted 7:41pm Friday 23rd August 2013 by Sam McChesney

Student presidents around the country are calling for sweeping reforms to the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA), after the Waikato Students’ Union (WSU) notified its withdrawal from the organisation. In a press release circulated on 22 August, the Presidents of OUSA, VUWSA Read more...

Christchurch Rebuild a Safety Shocker, Says Worker

Posted 4:47pm Sunday 18th August 2013 by Jack Montgomerie

A temporary worker in the Christchurch rebuild has alleged shocking health and safety lapses during his time there earlier this year. Ferdinand Schuster, a 20-year-old German student on his gap year, told Critic that he had been put at risk and injured due to unsafe practices on a number of Read more...

New School to Research How to Research

Posted 4:47pm Sunday 18th August 2013 by Josie Cochrane

The University of Otago now has a Graduate Research School, which aims to provide more academic support, more services to graduate research candidates and a focus on leading research on how to research. The School replaces the research services department and now welcomes a Dean, Professor Rachel Read more...

University Council Meeting

Posted 4:47pm Sunday 18th August 2013 by Jack Montgomerie

The University Council unanimously endorsed a strategic document as well as a flatting standards bill, and engaged in light-hearted banter at its meeting last Tuesday. Council Member Michael Sidey clapped when Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne told the meeting that her two-year Read more...

SOGOS Go Sci-Fi

Posted 4:47pm Sunday 18th August 2013 by Lindsey Horne

It turns out SoGoS fund more than just keg parties. The International Centre for Society, Governance & Science (SoGoS) funded a roundtable discussion on Genomics in Queenstown earlier this month. The Director of SoGoS (and no doubt the mastermind behind the title) is none other than University of Read more...

Fran Keeping Bus-y

Posted 4:47pm Sunday 18th August 2013 by Zane Pocock

OUSA, in partnership with the Dunedin City Council (DCC) and Otago Regional Council (ORC), has announced they are working towards an improved Dunedin bus service for students. This will involve simplifying routes and timetables, and addressing student pricing. The ORC has committed to a Read more...

Shearribly Dull

Posted 4:47pm Sunday 18th August 2013 by Claudia Herron

A contingent of Labour MPs consigned to forever working as the Opposition – including party leader David Shearer – held a public lecture on Monday 12 August at Knox Church Hall to tell us that “we are being ripped off.” Apparently, this problem can be solved by their NZ Power policy, which claims to Read more...

No Confidence Distraught as Tenci Wins By-Election

Posted 4:47pm Sunday 18th August 2013 by Jack Montgomerie

OUSA has a new Finance Officer after Nick Tenci trounced loveable sock puppet No Confidence at the close of voting in last Thursday’s by-election. In the final count, the third-year Finance and Biochemistry student received 470 votes (81.31 per cent). “No confidence in these candidates” received 108 Read more...

“Sit Back Down,” Says Joyce

Posted 4:47pm Sunday 18th August 2013 by Thomas Raethel

In response to the Otago Daily Times’ call to “Stand Up Otago,” Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce provided a rebuttal that was published by the newspaper on 10 August. In the rebuttal, entitled “Government Assisting Otago in Multiple Ways,” Joyce cited a $15 million contribution to Read more...

Xmas Present for EXMSS Pres

Posted 4:47pm Sunday 18th August 2013 by Bella Macdonald

Massey University’s Extramural Student Society’s (EXMSS) President is firing off scandalous allegations after MASSIVE magazine revealed how much she receives for her part-time position. In a MASSIVE article published online on Friday 9 August, it was revealed that EXMSS President Jeanette Read more...

The GCSB Bill

Posted 2:29pm Sunday 11th August 2013 by Bella Macdonald

What is the GCSB?The Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) is, amongst other things, New Zealand’s external spy service. The intelligence agency was set up by then-Prime Minister Robert Muldoon in 1977. It was tasked with keeping government communications and computers secure, and spying Read more...

Internet Totally Shithouse

Posted 2:29pm Sunday 11th August 2013 by Zane Pocock

Students and staff alike have been frustrated at the University of Otago’s slow Internet service over the past few weeks, coming at a crucial time for most students who are facing mid-semester assignment deadlines. The University’s Information Technology Services (ITS) never responded to Read more...

“Lack of Jobs Gives Students Chance to Study More, Eat Less.” – OUSA

Posted 2:29pm Sunday 11th August 2013 by Zane Pocock

Total Student Job Search (SJS) earnings in Otago have dropped by 12 per cent, equating to a loss of income of more than $450,000 over the course of the past year. Total weeks worked was also down 12 per cent, from 8,094 in the corresponding period last year to 7,145 this year. The Read more...

OUSA Tries to Keep Q-Jitsu Secret

Posted 2:29pm Sunday 11th August 2013 by Jamie Breen

Last week was OUSA Diversity Week, devoted to celebrating the diversity of Otago students and raising awareness and understanding of those who are queer or questioning. Different events, each focusing on queer support, were held every day of the week. The OUSA Queer Support group ran the Read more...

Sammy's to Be Someone Else's

Posted 2:29pm Sunday 11th August 2013 by Josie Cochrane

After 35 years of owning Crawford Street venue Sammy’s, the Chin family wants “younger people with new, fresh ideas” to step in. Sam Chin, the owner of Sammy’s, says he wants “new energy” and is “open to any new ideas” in terms of the venue’s Read more...

Provincials Reach For Their Pitchforks

Posted 2:29pm Sunday 11th August 2013 by Thomas Raethel

A former presenter of New Zealand’s Funniest Home Videos has called for the formation of a political party devoted to the South of New Zealand. Dunedin businessman Ian Taylor formulated the idea in conjunction with the Otago Daily Times’ “Stand Up, Otago” front-page editorial of 3 August. The Read more...

Audit Ordered by Orders

Posted 2:29pm Sunday 11th August 2013 by Jack Montgomerie

A pre-election report from the Dunedin City Council (DCC) has confirmed that council workers have been tasked with calculating a new, higher figure for the construction of the Forsyth Barr stadium, believed to be at least $260 million. The DCC’s CEO Paul Orders included the announcement in his Read more...

Councillor Fran to Pay the Iron Price

Posted 2:21pm Saturday 10th August 2013 by Sam McChesney

After weeks of speculation, OUSA President Francisco Hernandez has declared his candidacy for the upcoming Dunedin City Council elections. Hernandez made the decision to run after deciding the Council needed more student voices. So far, Hernandez and Co-President of Students for Read more...

The Fun Party

Posted 3:50pm Sunday 4th August 2013 by Sam McChesney

Last Monday, Critic was witness to a slightly bizarre spectacle, as the OUSA Governance and Representation Review Working Party held its second meeting. Although several members of the working party were absent, this was of little consequence; most of those present took on the role of slightly Read more...

Uni Tries to Steal Fran’s Thunder

Posted 3:50pm Sunday 4th August 2013 by Zane Pocock

In an excited Facebook status posted last Wednesday evening, OUSA President Francisco Hernandez announced the early drafting of a bill that would enable the Dunedin City Council (DCC) to create and enforce a housing warrant of fitness. He aptly called it “GREAT NEWS!!!” “We’ll be engaging key Read more...

Students Are Students Again

Posted 3:50pm Sunday 4th August 2013 by Zane Pocock

After hiding for most of the year, the traditional Scarfie again raised its hideous head last Saturday 27 July with nine Castle Street arrests and a group of international students wanting to go home after an early-morning break in. The Castle Street arrests were made after occupants called Read more...

Pope Cums Out in Support of Gays

Posted 3:50pm Sunday 4th August 2013 by Zane Pocock

In case you missed it, Pope Francis came out in support of homosexuality last Monday and is fast becoming the Catholic Church’s first popular leader. “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” Francis asked reporters on the Papal Aircraft heading Read more...

Debaters Flare N'Australs

Posted 3:50pm Sunday 4th August 2013 by Zane Pocock

The Otago University Debating Society (OUDS) has put in a bid to host the so-called “Australs” tournament next year. Australs are the second-largest debating tournament in the world and bring together a minimum of 80 three-person teams from Asia-Pacific universities. The last New Zealand university Read more...

Woe Men Week

Posted 3:50pm Sunday 4th August 2013 by Bella Macdonald

OUSA Women’s Week was held from 29 July-2 August to promote gender equality and raise awareness regarding an extensive range issues, including feminism, sexism, abuse, discrimination and the inclusion of abortion in the Crimes Act. The week was organised by OUSA’s Women’s Representative Sam Read more...

Otago’s Hip Hop Diversity on Display

Posted 3:50pm Sunday 4th August 2013 by Jack Montgomerie

Monday 29 July saw the annual International Cultural Night (in aid of the Otago Community Hospice) take place at the Teachers’ College Auditorium. The night, which was organised by OUSA and the International Cultural Council, began with a kapa haka performance by Te Roopu Maori. The audience was Read more...

Waterway Revamp Minimises Leithal Floods

Posted 3:50pm Sunday 4th August 2013 by Thomas Raethel

Otago University has agreed to commit $204,000 towards the development of a beautified Water of Leith, adjacent to the Clocktower. This sum is only a fraction of the $5.4 million that the Otago Regional Council expects to spend on the project over the summer. The funds have been sourced from Read more...

Dunedin Gets Cable in Confused Quest to Catch Up With Rest of World

Posted 3:50pm Sunday 4th August 2013 by Claudia Herron

A $21 million initiative to reintroduce a Cable Car link from the Exchange to Mornington is gaining support internationally and could see it become an “icon” for Dunedin. Over the course of two information sessions held at the Otago Museum, the Dunedin Cable Car Trust revealed that the Read more...

Two Guys One Sock (Puppet)

Posted 3:50pm Sunday 4th August 2013 by Staff Reporter

OUSA is going to the polls yet again, this time to find a new Finance Officer following Lucy Gaudin’s departure to the greener pastures of OUSA’s Accounts department. Critic thanks Lucy sincerely, as we have always loved covering fortnightly elections. Voting will commence on 13 August at Read more...

Protestors Fight The Pows

Posted 3:50pm Sunday 4th August 2013 by Jack Montgomerie

Hundreds of protestors gathered in the Octagon on Saturday 27 July to demonstrate against proposed new legislation that would allow the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) to collect private data from New Zealanders. The demonstration was held in conjunction with other protests Read more...

Dunedin Could Be Larried at Any Moment

Posted 4:45pm Sunday 28th July 2013 by Bella Macdonald

Following the recent earthquakes that rocked Seddon and Wellington, experts have warned that Dunedin, or anywhere else in the South Island, could be next. The most recent major earthquake in Dunedin occurred when the Akatore fault moved in 1974. However, the Akatore, along with two other Read more...

Little Girl Counts Dead Sheep

Posted 4:45pm Sunday 28th July 2013 by Jamie Breen

Although police once thought burning couches was a serious crime, a new form of vandalism has caught their attention. A pet sheep was stolen, bashed, set on fire, and the dead body dumped back at its original Clermiston Ave residence in Dunedin last week. Police were called to the scene when Read more...

Otago Tops Ranking for Most Rankings Topped

Posted 4:45pm Sunday 28th July 2013 by Zane Pocock

The University of Otago has been ranked New Zealand’s top university in all four measures of the Educational Performance Indicators (EPIs) released by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) last Wednesday. It is the first time any university has been the top in all four measures, although the EPI Read more...

Exec Has Erection Over New By-Election

Posted 4:45pm Sunday 28th July 2013 by Staff Reporter

OUSA is set to have ANOTHER by-election, after Finance Officer Lucy Gaudin announced that she would step down from 1 August. Gaudin resigned in order to take up a new, full time role as OUSA Accounts Administrator. Other members of the Executive were quick to pay tribute to Gaudin. President Read more...

Patriarchal Scooter Explodes in an Effort to Keep Woman at Home

Posted 4:45pm Sunday 28th July 2013 by Claudia Herron

A late night explosion in Mosgiel has left a woman “housebound” after her mobility scooter burst into flames whilst charging at her home on Green Street. The Otago Daily Times reported that Eleanor Moore (68) awoke at 11pm on the evening of Friday 19 July to find her “only means of Read more...

Fucking Hikes for Fucking Hacks

Posted 4:45pm Sunday 28th July 2013 by Sam McChesney

OUSA President Francisco Hernandez has tabled a memorandum proposing changes to the Executive’s honoraria. The memorandum, which was tabled on 19 July, proposes slight reductions in base pay but with the addition of large performance-based bonuses. These would result in potential pay Read more...

OUSA Survey Results Released

Posted 4:45pm Sunday 28th July 2013 by Zane Pocock

OUSA’s 2013 student survey has found positive attitudes towards all services provided by OUSA. The services surveyed were the Student Support Centre, the Recreation Centre, OUSA Events, Student Job Search, Critic, Radio One, and Campaigns Representation by the Executive. 79.85 per cent of Read more...

Invisible Hand to Be Slapped on the Wrist

Posted 4:45pm Sunday 28th July 2013 by Claudia Herron

The need to raise the standard of student housing in Dunedin has seen OUSA, Generation Zero and the DCC team up to get a local bill before Parliament. The deteriorating state of housing in the student precinct has seen many students put up with sub-par rental properties for too long, but the Read more...

Interview: Hilary Calvert

Posted 4:45pm Sunday 28th July 2013 by Jack Montgomerie

Local businesswoman, landlord and former ACT MP Hilary Calvert recently confirmed her candidacy for the Dunedin mayoralty and City Council. She spoke to Critic’s Jack Montgomerie about student flats, obelisks, and her plans to rein in council spending. Critic: You are running for mayor. Read more...

Foreign Workers Flock to Christchurch Rebuild

Posted 4:45pm Sunday 28th July 2013 by Jack Montgomerie

As the Christchurch rebuild draws workers from around the world, the city’s demographics as well as its buildings look set to change. Since the February 2011 earthquake brought destruction to Christchurch and subsequent demolitions further denuded the city of buildings, construction companies Read more...

“Action” Fran Acquires 200 Legless Chairs to Sell for Charity

Posted 4:45pm Sunday 28th July 2013 by Zane Pocock

OUSA were donated 200 seats from the deceased Carisbrook stadium last Wednesday, none of which have legs. They are to be sold to students for a gold coin donation, with all proceeds going to Rotary to help organisations such as the Neonatal Trust of Otago and the Yellow Eyed Penguin Trust. Read more...

A Sneak Peek at OUSA’s 2014 Budget

Posted 3:59pm Sunday 21st July 2013 by Sam McChesney

The details of OUSA’s Service Level Agreement (SLA) negotiations with the University have been leaked to Critic. The following is a breakdown of how OUSA intends to spend your money in 2014. $13,760 on a corrugated iron shed for the NORML protestors. This will protect regular (i.e. non-NORML) Read more...

The 2012 Audit: How OUSA Spent Your Money

Posted 3:59pm Sunday 21st July 2013 by Zane Pocock

An audit of OUSA’s Service Level Agreement (SLA) budgeted spending in 2012 was tabled at last Tuesday’s Executive meeting. The SLA is the mechanism by which the University of Otago funds OUSA. The audit, carried out by nominated accountants PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), shows that OUSA had a Read more...

Wakachangi Beer Launch

Posted 3:59pm Sunday 21st July 2013 by Thomas Raethel

Comedian Leigh Hart visited Leith Street Liquorland on 13 July to promote his new beer’s launch in Dunedin. Wakachangi Lager is to be primarily marketed toward New Zealand students. Hart told Critic that he considers the lager to be an alternative to brands like Speight’s. He admitted that the Read more...

Dunedin Becoming Auckland

Posted 3:59pm Sunday 21st July 2013 by Claudia Herron

Students’ standard of living appears to be on the rise with students now looking for better rental properties. The New Zealand Residential Rental Review (NZRRR) 2013 shows that in the 12 months leading up to May this year rent prices have decreased in several Dunedin areas, depending on the Read more...

Political Cocks in Democratic Balls-Up

Posted 3:59pm Sunday 21st July 2013 by Michaela Corlet

The government is currently trying to pass the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) and Related Legislation Amendment Bill under urgency. The Bill will allow the GCSB to spy on New Zealanders for other governments or private groups. In 2011-12 the GCSB carried out surveillance on Read more...

Illuminate Pain Party

Posted 3:59pm Sunday 21st July 2013 by Jamie Breen

5,000 people attended the Illuminate Paint Party at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Wednesday night of Re O-Week. A combination of alcohol, drugs and large numbers of excited partygoers caused several injuries. Nobody was arrested at the party, but the injuries that occurred required medical Read more...

University Panders to Dumb US Rating System

Posted 3:59pm Sunday 21st July 2013 by Josie Cochrane

The University of Otago will soon be including a Grade Point Average (GPA) on all students’ academic transcripts. Professor Vernon Squire, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, said “presenting the GPA increases the portability of the academic transcript.” This will make it easier for Otago students to show off Read more...

Ong Nearly Wronged in Long Con

Posted 3:59pm Sunday 21st July 2013 by Claudia Herron

Dunedin tenants and landlords are being warned about scams targeting the rental market after a University of Otago student almost fell victim to scammers while looking to let her room for the remainder of the year. Having finished her studies, University of Otago student Jasmine Ong Read more...

Return of the MOTHRA - Run For Your Lives

Posted 3:59pm Sunday 21st July 2013 by Bella Macdonald

OUSA Education Officer Jordan Taylor is making a bid for the return of the MOTHRA Student Film Making Awards run by OUSA. The event, which was named after C-grade Japanese film MOTHRA, was last held in 2011. Taylor claimed that the event, which had been running for over 20 years, was Read more...

Otago Teaching Is Shit, Says Otago Teacher

Posted 3:59pm Sunday 21st July 2013 by Jack Montgomerie

Associate Professor Gordon Sanderson, recent recipient of the Prime Minister’s $30,000 Supreme Tertiary Teaching Excellence Award, has slammed the University of Otago’s approach to teaching. After accepting the award, the Dunedin School of Medicine Ophthalmology professor told lecturers who want to Read more...

Hernandez Considering Council Bid

Posted 3:59pm Sunday 21st July 2013 by Sam McChesney

OUSA President Francisco Hernandez has dropped several strong hints that he is lining up a run for the Dunedin City Council (DCC) in November’s local body elections, although nothing has been confirmed. The Otago Daily Times reported last Tuesday that others had asked Hernandez to consider Read more...

Trans-Pacific Partnership

Posted 8:23pm Sunday 14th July 2013 by Jack Montgomerie

The 18th round of negotiations for a 12-country trade agreement in the Pacific Rim has just begun in Malaysia, but potential provisions relating to copyright laws have caused concern among Internet groups. In 2005, the P4 trade agreement was signed and ratified by New Zealand, Brunei, Chile Read more...

The Second Quarterly Executive Reports

Posted 8:23pm Sunday 14th July 2013 by Staff Reporter

Every quarter, each member of the Executive presents a report on what he or she has been up to, and in some of these quarters, Critic wades through the mutual back-slapping and puffery long enough to bring you detailed coverage of the wankfest that ensues. We gave it a miss last quarter, so decided Read more...

Hayne Suspicious of the Internets

Posted 8:23pm Sunday 14th July 2013 by Josie Cochrane

University of Otago Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne has spent all of January studying “everything that I could lay my hands on” about Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), she says in the most recent University of Otago Magazine. The article ponders whether “these MOOCs herald the demise of Read more...

Pakehahaha Are They Serious?

Posted 8:23pm Sunday 14th July 2013 by Claudia Herron

What started out as a “tongue-in-cheek” response to the Mana Party’s Maori-only housing proposal now has tens of thousands of “likes” on Facebook and has surpassed every mainstream political party – including the Maori Party, National and Labour – in the social media popularity stakes. The Read more...

Re-Orientation Week Happened | Opinion

Posted 8:23pm Sunday 14th July 2013 by Thomas Raethel

As quite possibly Dunedin’s nonevent of 2013, Re-O-Week has been a constant disappointment for anyone with a brain stem. Only through a haze of excess alcohol consumption and synthetic cannabinoid smoke will people be led to believe they had a mean time. Too bad most of North Dunedin’s dairies Read more...

Weeding Out the Poor Performers

Posted 8:23pm Sunday 14th July 2013 by Jamie Breen

In a sign of growing intolerance against drugs and alcohol in the workplace, wider testing mechanisms are being introduced for workers and beneficiaries. The New Zealand Government is set to introduce new requirements on 15 July whereby a beneficiary will need to test for various forms of drugs and Read more...

Critic Keen on Puns

Posted 8:23pm Sunday 14th July 2013 by Staff Reporter

A new student-made app, brazenly billed as “Twitter meets Facebook meets Snapchat,” has been launched in Dunedin by start-up Keen. Co-founder Emily Sutton describes Keen as “an app that enables people to spend less time with technology.” The app allows its users to post about Read more...

Dunedin Craft Beer Festival

Posted 8:23pm Sunday 14th July 2013 by Zane Pocock

Due to a partnership between Forsyth Barr Stadium and Lion Nathan, the name “Dunedin Craft Beer Festival” is set to be somewhat ironic. The stadium has a contract with the beer mass-producers/ monopoly-holders that requires any event involving alcohol to include the company’s brands. Read more...

Campus Produces Two Council Hopefuls

Posted 8:23pm Sunday 14th July 2013 by Jack Montgomerie

Students looking for representation on the Dunedin City Council in October’s general election are spoiled for choice this year, with two candidates already courting the student vote. Aaron Hawkins, who came fourth in the 2010 mayoral election with three per cent of the first preference votes, Read more...

Otago Considers Recreating Christchurch

Posted 8:23pm Sunday 14th July 2013 by Claudia Herron

The University is considering demolishing both the Arts building (Burns) and the Property Services building on Albany Street after the two buildings were deemed earthquake-prone under the University’s Seismic Programme. The University’s Seismic Strengthening Policy states that all buildings Read more...

Dalai Lama Visits New Zealand’s First University

Posted 6:05pm Sunday 7th July 2013 by Phoebe Harrop

The Dalai Lama’s recent visit to Dunedin was, in local terms at least, quite the scandal. Before the visit, Mayor Dave Cull had joined the ranks of other esteemed political figures (Barack Obama, Julia Gillard, John Key) who, wanting to be BFFs with China, have refused to officially welcome his Read more...

Students on the Streets in Turkish Turmoil

Posted 6:05pm Sunday 7th July 2013 by Jack Montgomerie

What began as a protest against the construction of a shopping centre has turned into the largest public demonstration seen in Turkey in recent years. Students have been at the forefront of the protests, which erupted in Istanbul, Ankara and many smaller cities and towns. “Innocents have been Read more...

What’s Up, Doc? Not Much

Posted 6:05pm Sunday 7th July 2013 by Claudia Herron

Doc’s Coffee House has sadly closed up shop in George Street and filed for bankruptcy after a series of relocations saw it go from a profitable business to “essentially drowning.” Critic spoke with Doc’s owner/ operator Phil McDonald about the future of the café, which is looking to return in mobile Read more...

Dunedin: New Zealand’s Second-Best Wellington

Posted 6:05pm Sunday 7th July 2013 by Zane Pocock

On 14 September, OUSA will be bringing the inaugural Dunedin Craft Beer Festival to Forsyth Barr Stadium. The beer brands involved are still being finalised; however, they are likely to include such South Island companies as Emerson’s, Mac’s and Moa. Many different food vendors will Read more...

Yet Another Fran-Said-Dan-Said

Posted 6:05pm Sunday 7th July 2013 by Sam McChesney

The OUSA Representation and Governance Review is now underway, with a Working Party appointed over the break. The Working Party will hear student submissions and make recommendations on changes to OUSA’s governance structure and constitution. The Working Party is comprised of 11 members, Read more...

Peter Dunne: An Obituary

Posted 6:05pm Sunday 7th July 2013 by Zane Pocock

It is with great sadness that Critic farewells an old friend – a rooster of epic proportions who once crowed the loudest stories of incompetence and befuddlement. Although not yet dead, the career of MP Peter Dunne has been given only a year to live. Long holding a cherished position in the Read more...

Re-O-Week to Bring Paint, Sexism

Posted 6:05pm Sunday 7th July 2013 by Brittany Mann

OUSA has been working around the clock to deliver students the biggest Reorientation Week yet, say OUSA figures. Critic staff members dispute the accuracy of this statement, however, having observed the Events team working only until 5pm. Wednesday 10 July sees the return of the Illuminate Read more...

Captain Cook Runs Aground, Is Eaten by Savages

Posted 6:05pm Sunday 7th July 2013 by Josie Cochrane

Hold back the tears everyone – the Captain Cook Tavern will have its doors shut throughout Re-O-Week and potentially for good, although the owners are still looking to have someone take over the lease. Dominion Breweries and James Arnott, one of the owners of the Cook, are no longer Read more...

UBS: Unemployed Book Sellers?

Posted 6:05pm Sunday 7th July 2013 by Claudia Herron

Staff restructuring at the University Book Shop (UBS) has seen a number of positions made redundant, with those staff members affected invited to reapply for newly-created positions. The restructuring is the culmination of six years of falling profits due to the difficult trading conditions faced by Read more...

Dalai Lama visits Dunedin

Posted 1:13pm Thursday 13th June 2013 by Phoebe Harrop

500 people packed out St. David lecture theatre on Tuesday to see the 14th Dalai Lama. Despite earlier trips to the city, this was his Holiness’ first official engagement at the University of Otago, and his first at any New Zealand university. His Holiness was welcomed in typically eclectic Read more...

Execrable | Online

Posted 4:46pm Wednesday 5th June 2013 by Sam McChesney

The last Executive meeting Critic attended was a desperately dull affair, full of hot air, procedural inanities, and general self-aggrandising pointlessness. The prospect of another snorefest loomed, before Critic noticed that nearby execcies’ regular chirpy demeanours had been replaced with grim, Read more...

Protests break out across Turkey

Posted 2:05pm Sunday 2nd June 2013 by Jack Montgomerie

What began as a protest against a shopping mall has turned into massive demonstrations against police violence in Turkey. Protestors had initially staged a sit-in objecting to the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) plans to build a shopping mall on Gezi park, which sits in the middle of Read more...

“I hate that shit. I can’t stream Pirates anymore.”

Posted 3:03pm Sunday 26th May 2013 by Josie Cochrane

Computer network traffic at the University decreased by over 30% last year, following the introduction of restrictions on illegal downloading through the University network. Usage dropped from 464,159 GB in 2011 to 315,847 GB last year, a difference equivalent to over 400,000 hours of torrented Read more...

Busin’ like a bus

Posted 3:03pm Sunday 26th May 2013 by Thomas Raethel

The Otago Regional Council (ORC) has been lobbied by several student bodies to discount Dunedin’s bus fares for both University and Polytechnic students. OUSA, OPSA and Generation Zero all submitted material supporting Dunedin bus reforms at a Council meeting held on 15 May. OPSA spokesman Read more...

Cadbury’s new product

Posted 3:03pm Sunday 26th May 2013 by Bella Macdonald

Cadbury has announced a new product to be made in Dunedin that will be tailored to “New Zealand tastes.” It is expected to arrive on the shelves later this year. The announcement of the new product comes after Cadbury’s Dairy Milk blocks underwent a packet transformation, including a Read more...

Execrable | Issue 13

Posted 3:03pm Sunday 26th May 2013 by Sam McChesney

The Exec meeting began with two requests for OUSA affiliation, from the P3 Foundation on Campus and the Dunedin Feminist Collective. Lucy and Ruby asked if they needed to abstain due to conflicts: Lucy has dealt with P3 while Ruby is a DFC member. “Don’t worry,” Fran reassured them. “It’s not real Read more...