Archive

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...

Psychoactive Substances Bill Committee named

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

Associate Minister of Health Peter Dunne announced the Psychoactive Substances Bill Committee on Friday 17 May. The committee is to be chaired by Otago University Associate Professor of Medicine Richard Robson, and has been put in place to determine a safety testing regime for “legal high” Read more...

Georgie Pie

Posted 3:03pm Sunday 26th May 2013 by Claudia Herron

Dunedin may be getting its own piece of the Georgie Pie, depending on the success of the New Zealand fast food favourite’s re-release in Auckland and Hamilton early next month. Critic spoke with a North Dunedin McDonald’s manager, who said it was “uncertain” whether Dunedin would be serving Read more...

Budget provokes outrage and apathy among students

Posted 3:03pm Sunday 26th May 2013 by Jack Montgomerie

An OUSA-run forum on the Government’s budget resulted in yawns for many on Monday. Speakers from the youth wings of most parliamentary parties were generally ambivalent, although Finance Minister Bill English’s latest effort attracted criticism from even the Government’s most ardent supporters. Read more...

Fredric leaves Critic happy

Posted 3:03pm Sunday 26th May 2013 by Staff Reporter

Callum Fredric has stepped down as editor of Critic after reaching a settlement with OUSA last Friday. Fredric was suspended after a meeting with Darel Hall, the General Manager of OUSA and its subsidiary company Planet Media Dunedin Ltd (PMDL), on Friday 3 May. This suspension was confirmed in a Read more...

Excessive entitlement exacerbates exams

Posted 3:03pm Sunday 26th May 2013 by Claudia Herron

Exam failure may be attributed to a student’s exaggerated belief that they deserve to succeed, according to research conducted by the University of Otago. The study confirms, as educators often claim, that some students believe they have a right to succeed, known as “excessive entitlement,” Read more...

Referen-dumb?

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

An OUSA referendum will be held this week from Monday 27 to Friday 31 May. The referendum comprises six questions, one of which would radically alter OUSA’s governance structure. Question Six was included in the referendum after former Executive member Dan Stride started a petition and Read more...

The Cook is cooked

Posted 3:03pm Sunday 26th May 2013 by Jack Montgomerie

The Captain Cook Tavern’s long history looks set to come to a close, with the pub’s lease expiring un-renewed on 29 June. James Arnott is one of the owners of Cook Brothers Bars, which has operated the pub for nine years, along with other establishments in the Octagon, Queenstown, Christchurch and Read more...

Fredric steps down as Critic editor

Posted 2:26pm Tuesday 21st May 2013 by Staff Reporter

Callum Fredric has stepped down as editor of Critic after reaching a settlement with OUSA last Friday. Fredric was suspended after a meeting with OUSA General Manager Darel Hall on Tuesday 7 May. The terms of the settlement remain confidential. Hall refused to confirm any details to Critic, Read more...

Israelient

Posted 1:24pm Sunday 19th May 2013 by Thomas Raethel

Last Tuesday afternoon, Otago University hosted Shalom Cohen, the former Israeli Ambassador to Egypt, for a discussion with students and staff. Cohen is currently the acting Israeli Ambassador to New Zealand. Mr Cohen spent much of the heated discussion addressing the recent “Arab Spring”; or Read more...

University council holds a meeting

Posted 1:24pm Sunday 19th May 2013 by Bella Macdonald

Otago University has been deemed by the Otago Daily Times as “trumpeting” its contribution to Dunedin after the annual Economic Impact Report was presented at the University Council meeting on Tuesday 14 March. A media release by the University stated, “The overall direct economic impact of Read more...

Shitty health decisions

Posted 1:24pm Sunday 19th May 2013 by Bella Macdonald

The Ministry of Health is in the firing line of Otago professors due to its reluctance to introduce a bowel cancer-screening pilot programme nationwide, despite the programme’s proven success. University of Otago health services researcher Dr Sarah Derrett, also on the Board of the patient- Read more...

Radio 45,000

Posted 1:24pm Sunday 19th May 2013 by Zane Pocock

OUSA announced $45,000 capital expenditure plans for Radio One’s technical equipment last Wednesday. OUSA President Francisco Hernandez told Dunedin Television, “it is a big vote of confidence in the future of Radio One as it approaches its 30th birthday. “Research shows the Read more...

Budget 2013: Nothing new for impoverished students

Posted 1:24pm Sunday 19th May 2013 by Josie Cochrane

It appears the National Party is waiting until election year 2014 to give New Zealand’s domestic tertiary students any excitement in the Government’s annual Budget. Student allowances will continue to exist only for younger students and people studying for their first degrees. Students aged Read more...

Daft punks ignore Daft Punk suggestion

Posted 1:24pm Sunday 19th May 2013 by Jack Montgomerie

OUSA has met a suggestion that it underwrite a Daft Punk gig with a mix of excitement, caution and derision. Radio One station manager Sean Norling’s spontaneous idea was emailed to Daft Punk’s agent Richard de la Font on Sunday evening. Norling, who has so far received an auto-reply from de Read more...

Debating Society refrain from debating their privilege

Posted 1:24pm Sunday 19th May 2013 by Zane Pocock

University of Otago Vice Chancellor Prof. Harlene Hayne has provided a $25,000 grant to the Otago University Debating Society (OUDS). In a letter to OUDS president Paul Hunt, Hayne recognised the society’s recent “international exposure … putting Otago on the world stage as a top ranking Read more...

Ghosts write essays for cash

Posted 1:24pm Sunday 19th May 2013 by Thomas Raethel

A nationwide made-to-order web-based essay service marketed primarily towards Chinese students has been uncovered. Assignment4U is registered with a New Zealand domain name, and markets itself as an “academic advisory” service. A 1,500-word essay ordered by Fairfax Media last week cost $270, Read more...

South Dunedin pimps pimp

Posted 1:24pm Sunday 19th May 2013 by Claudia Herron

An elderly gentleman from South Dunedin has been outed as a “pimp” by the Otago Daily Times after a popular YouTube video inspired them to publish an article about the man’s “pimped out” mobility scooter. While the aged hustler is far from making coin from the South Dunedin hunnies, the ODT Read more...

Whare Krishna

Posted 1:24pm Sunday 19th May 2013 by Claudia Herron

The Hare Krishna community in Dunedin has been gifted a house to call their spiritual home thanks to a gracious donation from one of the group’s members. At the end of this year, 133 London Street will become the new Dunedin Hare Krishna Cultural Centre. Hare Krishna member Jane Beecroft Read more...

OUSA to break world record by inventing it

Posted 1:24pm Sunday 19th May 2013 by Zane Pocock

OUSA’s events department last week announced part of the line-up for their Re-Orientation Week events. The night of Wednesday 10 July will see Forsyth Barr Stadium hosting the world’s largest ever paint fight, and Shapeshifter will perform in the Town Hall on Saturday 13 July. On track for Read more...

Recreation Centre facelift lacks actual lift

Posted 1:24pm Sunday 19th May 2013 by Jack Montgomerie

OUSA’s $1.7 million renovation of its Recreation Centre building (formerly Clubs and Socs) is set to give students a more modern, functional space for activities. However, one of its services will remain off-limits to some disabled students. After a consultation process including user surveys Read more...

Ferguson finally fucks off

Posted 2:26pm Sunday 12th May 2013 by Sam McChesney

The big news in sport over the last week has been the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, the manager of Manchester United. We’ve been here before – Ferguson announced his retirement at the start of 2002 only to perform a U-turn at the end of the season – but this time it’s for realsies. Ferguson’s Read more...

Police render point-proving tactics irrelephant

Posted 2:26pm Sunday 12th May 2013 by Staff Reporter

An elephant was discovered in the Critic office last Thursday. The elephant appeared in the room while the Critic staff were writing that week’s news. It is unclear what the elephant’s motives were. The elephant was eventually removed by the police, and has declined to comment on the incident. Read more...

ODT exposes exposer

Posted 2:26pm Sunday 12th May 2013 by Zane Pocock

Last Tuesday 7 May, the ODT published their best article of the year. Entitled “Dunedin teen shakes bare bottom at police,” the 64-word piece exposes a 17-year-old Dunedin man who “allegedly [shook] his bare bottom at police officers while standing in the middle of Eglinton Rd.” Here, Critic aims to Read more...

Justice Davani

Posted 2:26pm Sunday 12th May 2013 by Claudia Herron

The 17th New Zealand Law Foundation Ethel Benjamin Commemorative Address was given by Justice Catherine Davani, of the Papua New Guinea Supreme Court, on 8 May. Her thought-provoking talk in the Dunedin Public Art Gallery touched on the pressure to repeal sorcery laws in PNG. A recent, Read more...

Government throws more money at research

Posted 2:26pm Sunday 12th May 2013 by Bella Macdonald

Otago University is hoping to get their hands on a chunk of the Government’s $73.5 million budget for research purposes following the announcement of 10 National Science Challenges. The budget was announced on 1 May by John Key and will be added to last year’s $60 million budget to fund these Read more...

A degree from Otago might just get you a job

Posted 2:26pm Sunday 12th May 2013 by Josie Cochrane

The 2013 QS World University Rankings by Subject have been released, with Otago ranked among the top 100 institutions in the world in 12 subject areas. Psychology, History and Archaeology, English Language and Literature, and Law also placed in the top 50. Professor Harlene Hayne, Vice Read more...

Cardboard swords slay selwyn’s hordes

Posted 2:26pm Sunday 12th May 2013 by Jack Montgomerie

Selwyn College’s residents flogged one of their favourite dead horses last Wednesday afternoon when they took over the Clocktower lawn for the annual Lindski Battle. A dozen ex-residents were pitted against more than 100 Selwyn “knights” and “nurses” in the annual pacifist skirmish. The Read more...

Dunedin – New Zealand’s Detroit

Posted 2:26pm Sunday 12th May 2013 by Jamie Breen

Students are to Dunedin what Instagram is to a tween: #important. Or, as the ODT wittily put it, Dunedin is New Zealand’s Detroit, if postgraduate and international student numbers are compared to car manufacturers: lose them and the economy loses, too. University of Otago lecturer Paul Read more...

Lama drama harms Cull’s karma

Posted 2:26pm Sunday 12th May 2013 by Jack Montgomerie

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull has retracted what he calls a “dismissive and unnecessary slight” he made against the Dalai Lama, but still will not meet him when he visits Dunedin on 11 June. After describing the Lama as “the leader of a minority sect” last week, Cull now says that the community Read more...

World record attempts

Posted 2:26pm Sunday 12th May 2013 by Bella Macdonald

Otago University students are in the running to break 10 world records during Re-Orientation Week at an event organised by OUSA. Students who are interested in breaking records have submitted their record idea to OUSA, who have then gone on to co-ordinate with Guinness World Records. So far, Read more...

Too many cats hanging out at Murray’s

Posted 2:26pm Sunday 12th May 2013 by Josie Cochrane

At least six pet cats have been found dead, some hung from trees, at Navy Park in South Dunedin. The ongoing suspicious deaths have occurred since December 2012, with the latest cat being found on Saturday 27 April of this year. Senior Constable Ruth Parsons says, “We’ve had this sort of Read more...

The Wicked Witches of Union Street East

Posted 4:00pm Sunday 5th May 2013 by Bella Macdonald

Abby Howells (Left) and Caitlin McNaughton (Right) are directing 2013’s Wizard of Oz-themed Capping Show, which kicks off this Wednesday. Bella Macdonald interviewed them during one of their nightly rehearsals. What do you see as the purpose of the Capping Show? Caitlin: I guess it was Read more...

“Everyone a winner at Uni Games”

Posted 4:00pm Sunday 5th May 2013 by Gus Gawn

Team Otago reclaimed the University Shield at the Uni Games held in Dunedin two weeks ago. Otago boasted the largest team at the 2013 event with 142 competitors, and made their numerical advantage count by collecting the most points and taking out the shield. Prior to the games it had been Read more...

Ex-Critic editor puts up pointless, doomed bill

Posted 4:00pm Sunday 5th May 2013 by Jack Montgomerie

Green Party list MP Holly Walker has introduced a Private Member’s Bill for the next ballot at Parliament, which aims to reinstate student allowances for postgraduate students. However, with little hope of majority support, the bill appears to be purely symbolic. In 2012, the government Read more...

Shit students help students in the shit

Posted 4:00pm Sunday 5th May 2013 by Josie Cochrane

Figures recently released by the University of Otago show that misconduct cost students $14,860 in 2012. This is up 40% from 2011, when total fines issued by the Proctor were $10,670 for the year. The increase has occurred despite a decrease in the number of misbehaving students from 136 in 2011 to Read more...

He’s Dunne it again

Posted 4:00pm Sunday 5th May 2013 by Claudia Herron

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne has come out of leftfield and banned a further two substances, both found in the popular synthetic cannabis brand K2. The totally unprecedented move by Dunne will see a Temporary Class Drug Notice issued on BB-22 and 5F-AKB48, bringing the total number of Read more...

Colmar Brunton says 80% of students keen to work for free

Posted 4:00pm Sunday 5th May 2013 by Thomas Raethel

Student Job Search is set to introduce a trial “unpaid” section from June this year, after widespread enthusiasm for volunteer work was expressed by students around the country. A Colmar Brunton poll commissioned by Studylink last year revealed that 80% of students interviewed expressed interest in Read more...

Apps to make sad kids ‘appy

Posted 4:00pm Sunday 5th May 2013 by Jack Montgomerie

A texting blob, a digital bin in which to put feelings, and a site full of videos to cheer kids up won the Dunedin round of the Lifehack competition last Sunday evening. Lifehack (not to be confused with the website explaining how to “Make Your Own Fresh Home Fragrances”) is an organisation that the Read more...

Critic culls Cull

Posted 4:00pm Sunday 5th May 2013 by Zane Pocock

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull has refused to partake in a debate with legal high lobbyist Grant Hall after calling for consumers to boycott businesses that sell synthetic cannabis products. While defending his position, Cull alluded to a fear that his opponent-to-be had been “imbibing a bit much,” in a Read more...

Selwyn Ballet to thrill audiences for 86th year running

Posted 4:00pm Sunday 5th May 2013 by Callum Fredric

Capping Show audiences are once again set for five minutes of top-quality entertainment at the end of the first half of the show, as the Selwyn Ballet makes its 86th appearance. The ballet’s distinctive humour comes from the visual juxtaposition between short-haired, rugby-loving young men Read more...

We’re off to see the wizard

Posted 4:00pm Sunday 5th May 2013 by Jamie Breen

The legendary University of Otago Capping Show will kick off on Wednesday. This year sees the 119th iteration of the world’s second-longest-running (and longest continually running) Capping Revue. For all you freshers out there, allow Critic to educate you. The Capping Show, a yearly event, Read more...

A Lord-to-Lord chat with Christopher Monckton

Posted 3:14pm Sunday 28th April 2013 by Callum Fredric

Lord Christopher Monckton is arguably the world’s most prominent climate change skeptic. He talks to Critic about NZ universities, Generation Zero, and whether he’s actually a Lord. You’re speaking in Gore tomorrow. Are small towns worth your time to attend? It’s always an enormous Read more...