Archive
Electoral Report Shows Voter Turnout Low
Posted 11:32am Sunday 19th April 2015 by Henry Napier
The Electoral Commission has released its 2014 election report. While the report highlights that the election was successful, it maintains that “much needs to be done”. The report outlines two major priorities to improve the electoral system. The first priority is an increase in voter Read more...
Druglawed Premiere Must Not Promote
Posted 11:21am Sunday 19th April 2015 by Joe Higham
A film titled Druglawed had its world premiere at the University of Otago College Auditorium on Wednesday 14 April. The film, organised by Otago NORML, focuses on New Zealand’s involvement in the US-led War on Drugs. The film was directed and produced by South African filmmaker, Arik Read more...
Uni Launches Peaceful Cartoon Contest
Posted 11:16am Sunday 19th April 2015 by Bridie Boyd
The University of Otago National Centre for Peace & Conflict Studies is hosting a peaceful cartoon competition in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo tragedy. The aim of the competition is to help encourage the international community to react in peaceful ways to controversial cartoons, as well as to Read more...
We Aren’t “a Bunch of Loose-unit Crazies”
Posted 11:07am Sunday 19th April 2015 by Damian George
Feejoa Co-Director Phil O’Reilly has hit back at criticism of his company, saying people have got the wrong impression of the concept. The scheme, introduced in November last year, sees participating businesses pay up to five percent of purchases made by a customer toward their student Read more...
Execrable | Issue 8
Posted 10:58am Sunday 19th April 2015 by Laura Munro
It was announced that Campaign Officer Alice Sowry’s resignation will be effective this Friday. The executive will hold a by-election for this position, as well for education officer after the resignation of Greer Mahoney. The executive discussed the idea of a longer voting period due to the Read more...
Legal Action Threatens Streaming from Overseas
Posted 10:49am Sunday 19th April 2015 by Laura Munro
Four New Zealand television outlets, which together own 85 percent of New Zealand’s television viewing market, have joined together to take action on what they are calling a breach of copyright. Lawyers representing SkyTV, TVNZ, Lightbox New Zealand (run by Spark) and MediaWorks sent a Read more...
News in Briefs | Issue 7
Posted 2:51pm Sunday 12th April 2015 by Magnus Whyte
World Watch Moscow, Russia A Russian toy shop has launched an advertising campaign based on a KGB interrogation. The advert shows a brother and sister interrogating their parents in a darkened room. The boy paces the room with a wooden hammer before telling his parents: “You have left us Read more...
NBA Playoffs just around the Corner
Posted 2:51pm Sunday 12th April 2015 by Daniel Lormans
While the NZ Breakers recently won their fourth ANBL championship in five years, the NBA post-season is just about to kick off next weekend after the monotony of the regular season concluded this week. For the casual viewer, the NBA can appear rather confusing so I will do my best to explain it Read more...
In My Opinion: Henry’s word | Issue 7
Posted 2:51pm Sunday 12th April 2015 by Henry Napier
It’s not often such a strong mandate gets turned on its head so quickly. Only five months ago National won Northland with an overwhelming 9000-vote majority. Then two weeks ago, it managed to lose the seat to Winston Peters. The outcome was the result of two mistakes. The first was the Read more...
The Port of Auckland Fiasco
Posted 2:51pm Sunday 12th April 2015 by Henry Napier
The expansions to the Port of Auckland have ushered in a new tide of political controversy for Auckland City Mayor, Len Brown. The council owned company, Ports of Auckland, plan to extend the Bledisloe Wharf further into the Waitamata Harbour, effectively allowing for easier access and docking for Read more...
New Zealand Crime Declining
Posted 2:51pm Sunday 12th April 2015 by Laura Munro
The New Zealand Police have released their annual crime statistics for 2014. The report documents the number of crimes recorded in that year; crimes are counted as resolved when police apprehend the offender and decide how to take action. The Police National Intelligence Application (NIA) gathers Read more...
Southern DHB Performs Their First EVAR
Posted 2:51pm Sunday 12th April 2015 by Joe Higham
A Balclutha man, Harold Masters, has become the first person to receive an Emergency Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) by surgeons from the Southern District Health Board. The procedure involves surgery into the aorta — the largest artery in the human body, which runs from Read more...
First-Year Enrolments Down 2.9 Per Cent
Posted 2:51pm Sunday 12th April 2015 by Joe Higham
Enrolments for full-time students to the University of Otago have dropped for 2015. Figures show that total enrolments for this year are 469 fewer students, or 2.9 per cent lower, than the 2014 figure of 18,570. Domestic first-year enrolments are down 9.2 per cent from the same period in Read more...
Execrable | Issue 7
Posted 2:51pm Sunday 12th April 2015 by Laura Munro
T he meeting began by welcoming the new Postgraduate Officer, Chris Jackson, and International Officer Toa Sailusi. It was announced that Campaigns Officer Alice Sowry and Education Officer Greer Mahoney have resigned. The second by-election for 2015 is set to be announced in the near Read more...
Staff and Students Praise Upgrade Plans
Posted 2:51pm Sunday 12th April 2015 by Damian George
University staff and students have voiced their support for large-scale developments scheduled to begin on campus early this month, saying any disruption will be worth it in the long run. Landscaping redevelopments from the northern end of the Richardson building to the intersection of Castle Read more...
In My Opinion: Henry’s word | Issue 6
Posted 1:39pm Friday 10th April 2015 by Henry Napier
T he Green Party is naming a new co-leader come July. The appointment of a new face also brings forth the possibility of a new direction. Over the past decade the Greens have made huge strides in growing their support and refining their message. Yet it’s a fair assumption that this may be the Read more...
Healthy Homes Bill Also Fails
Posted 1:39pm Friday 10th April 2015 by Henry Napier
The Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill failed to pass its first reading in parliament on Wednesday 18 March. The house was split on the issue, with the bill receiving 60 votes for and 60 votes against. In order to pass, however, a bill needs a majority vote. The aim of the bill was to impose a Read more...
The Backwards Step for Uni Councils
Posted 3:11pm Sunday 29th March 2015 by Joe Higham
T he government has passed the Education Amendment Act (No. 2) 2015, which, among other things, will reduce university and wānanga councils nationwide. A key aspect of this is that universities are no longer required to have seats on their councils for staff and students. When the Read more...
It’s the Final Countdown…
Posted 3:11pm Sunday 29th March 2015 by Daniel Lormans
No, we are not talking about the catchy Swedish pop-metal anthem that peaked at number 12 on the New Zealand Charts in 1987 (and may still get pumped into the Zoo on the odd occasion). This week we are talking about Europe’s top domestic football leagues, which are into their final countdown towards Read more...
Kids Probably Going To Stay Cold and Hungry
Posted 3:11pm Sunday 29th March 2015 by Henry Napier
“Feed the Kids” Bill Fails First Reading National Says It’s a Parent’s Job T he Feed the Kids bill, officially known as the Education (Breakfast and Lunch Programmes in Schools) Amendment Bill, was voted down by parliament in its first reading last week. The bill proposed Read more...
A Date with Nicky Hager
Posted 3:11pm Sunday 29th March 2015 by Zahra Shahtahmasebi
Last week, Zahra Shahtahmasebi caught up with investigative journalist, Nicky Hager. Hager is most known for his books Secrets and Lies, The Hollow Men, Seeds of Distrust and last year’s Dirty Politics. Recently, Hager has been working with computer professional and whistleblower, Edward Snowden, to Read more...
Stocks Erected in Memory of Former Proctor
Posted 3:11pm Sunday 29th March 2015 by Amber Allott
A set of stocks, emblazoned with the words “Proctorial Justice” in large gold letters, have been erected outside the proctor’s office. Unveiled at a ceremony on 25 March, the stocks were erected to commemorate the life and service of former Proctor Ron Chambers. Chambers, who Read more...
Proctology | Issue 6
Posted 3:11pm Sunday 29th March 2015 by Laura Munro
H yde Street 2015 has been a success, despite the media coverage in the days after the event. “It was in general a good fun event,” the proctor said. “Most people that went enjoyed it.” The proctor spoke of the media taking “excessive delight in highlighting the few problems” that Read more...
Fundraiser for Pam Victims
Posted 3:11pm Sunday 29th March 2015 by Bridie Boyd
L ast Monday the University of Otago held a concert to raise funds for Pacific Island nations. On 13 March, Cyclone Pam hit Tuvalu, the Solomon Islands, Kiribati and Vanuatu. Vanuatu was hit the hardest, with around 132,000 people affected. Pam was the worst natural disaster to ever hit the Read more...
Teaching Students Want To Go To Class Camp
Posted 3:11pm Sunday 29th March 2015 by Joe Higham
The College of Education has come under fire from students after final-year teaching students were refused official study leave to attend school camps. Sandor Toth, who has recently returned from a school camp despite not being granted leave, has criticised the school for not accepting what he says Read more...
Execrable | Issue 6
Posted 3:11pm Sunday 29th March 2015 by Laura Munro
This week’s executive meeting was delayed for a few days due to “weekend activities causing fatigue.” Judging by the images on our Facebook page, Critic assumes the fatigue was alcohol-related. The meeting began with the executives, the whole five who attended, breaking down the hours of work Read more...
Government Offers 90c to Solve Rent Crisis
Posted 3:11pm Sunday 29th March 2015 by Laura Munro
StudyLink’s Annual General Adjustment is set to come into effect from 1 April 2015, meaning that student allowances and student loan living costs will rise just 0.51 per cent. Social Development Minister Anne Tolley announced this year’s increase, stating: “Rates and thresholds for Read more...
Bouncing off the Halls
Posted 6:33pm Sunday 22nd March 2015 by Staff Reporter
Toroa College gets us off to a terrific start, with rampant stories of debauchery echoing from every dingy corner. One night in the “party unit” and things quickly got out of hand, with a few frothing freshers punching holes in the roof and just generally tearing up the place. With what Read more...
By-Election Nominations
Posted 6:33pm Sunday 22nd March 2015 by Staff Reporter
Following the departure of the OUSA Postgraduate Office Claire Mitchell last month, and OUSA’s International Officer vacancy for over a year, a by-election is being held for the two positions. Nominations closed last Thursday and the competition is fierce. We wish all candidates the best of luck Read more...
No Shortage of Sports
Posted 5:43pm Sunday 22nd March 2015 by Daniel Lormans
Highlanders Continue to Impress … After a good night out last week, I was woken up outrageously early the next morning thinking there was an albatross or one of Daenerys’ dragons attempting to nest on our roof. Upon investigation I found that it was just the Sky TV man installing a new satellite Read more...
Green Co-Leadership Contest
Posted 5:43pm Sunday 22nd March 2015 by Henry Napier
In January of this year, the Green Party co-leader Russel Norman announced his resignation. Although he will remain as a list MP for the party, his decade-long run as co-leader will come to an end in May. Norman highlighted it was time to “find a new challenge for [himself].” He also stated Read more...
The CCTV Debate
Posted 5:43pm Sunday 22nd March 2015 by Joe Higham
Closed-circuit television, or CCTV, is a method of recording the events that occur in a specific area. In particular, the cameras are used to monitor criminal activity. One of the largest users of CCTV in the world is the United Kingdom, which, according to Big Brother Watch, a privacy pressure Read more...
Failure to Launch
Posted 5:43pm Sunday 22nd March 2015 by Oliver Gaskell
T he National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) launch of a Super Pressure Balloon (SPB) was recently delayed due to concerns about the impact of Cyclone Pam. The launch, which was scheduled to take place on Sunday 15 March, was delayed until Friday 20 March. The balloon was Read more...
NZUSA President Makes Final Plea for Membership
Posted 5:43pm Sunday 22nd March 2015 by Laura Munro
Last week, New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA) President Rory McCourt met with OUSA regarding its withdrawal from NZUSA last year, shortly after VUWSA (Victoria University Students’ Association) also withdrew. NZUSA’s constitution states: “A constituent member may terminate its Read more...
Yelling down Microphone to Keep Rights We Have
Posted 5:43pm Sunday 22nd March 2015 by Laura Munro
O n Thursday 19 March, the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA) launched a joint campaign with the Tertiary Education Union (TEU) at Otago University. NZUSA President Rory McCourt led the launch alongside TEU National President Sandra Grey. The campaign, which was Read more...
Execrable | Issue 5
Posted 5:43pm Sunday 22nd March 2015 by Laura Munro
President Paul Hunt began the meeting by commenting on the executive’s performance so far this year. He said although they are “kicking into gear well,” the team is still only running at “six gears out of ten.” OUSA has officially put in its submission regarding the proposal to abolish the Read more...
The Real Cost of Hyde
Posted 5:43pm Sunday 22nd March 2015 by Joe Higham
T he annual Hyde Street Keg Party, which took place on Saturday 21 March, has come under scrutiny due to its apparent cost to taxpayers. Last week, The Wireless published an article quoting Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull stating, “The public resource that goes into that one day is about Read more...
RUGB215
Posted 2:32pm Sunday 15th March 2015 by Daniel Lormans
T he first four rounds of assignments for the semester have been completed, so Critic turns the sometimes subjective and arbitrary University of Otago grading scale to New Zealand’s Super Rugby teams. Is your team going to be accepted for Honours or have an embarrassing grade on their Read more...
Indonesian Authorities Tired of Australia
Posted 2:32pm Sunday 15th March 2015 by Henry Napier
An Indonesian Minister, Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno, has made threats of what he calls a “human tsunami” if the Australian Government doesn’t stop the pressure it is putting on Indonesian authorities. The threats come after a continuous effort from the Tony Abbott-led government to save the lives of the Read more...
US Presidential Election Updates
Posted 2:32pm Sunday 15th March 2015 by Henry Napier
L ikely candidates for the 2016 presidential election, still ten months away, seem to be kicking off their campaigns early this year. Last week, nine soon-to-be Republican Party candidates travelled around Iowa apparently preparing for the coming election. None of the candidates has officially Read more...
Little Plays Politics
Posted 2:32pm Sunday 15th March 2015 by Henry Napier
L abour leader Andrew Little has confronted the fact his party’s candidate for the Northland by-election, Willow Jean Prime, is an unlikely contender. Little has hinted that a Labour endorsement for New Zealand First leader Winston Peters may be on the cards. Prime Minister John Key has Read more...
An Interview with David Xie
Posted 2:32pm Sunday 15th March 2015 by Laura Weir
Facebook pages ‘Humans of [insert city here]” have grown tremendously in popularity during the past year. The original, Humans of New York, now has 12.4 million likes. David Xie, a University of Otago IT administrator, decided to create a page for those living right here in Dunedin, and Read more...
At Least We Believe in Ourselves
Posted 2:32pm Sunday 15th March 2015 by Laura Munro
Times Higher Education has published its World Reputation Rankings for 2015, placing Harvard University in the US at #1 for the fifth year in a row. The rankings, published annually, show a list of the world’s 100 most prestigious universities. This is based on an invitation-only survey of senior Read more...
Proctology | Issue 4
Posted 2:32pm Sunday 15th March 2015 by Laura Munro
T he proctor said February this year was “one of the busiest” he has seen in regards to students in his office: “It has been a bit frantic.” This said, it seems as though it has been multiple flats rather than individuals, “which accounts for lots more people.” Noise from flats is an Read more...
Ploughing Proves Dangerous
Posted 2:32pm Sunday 15th March 2015 by Joe Higham
U niversity of Otago research has shown that the ratio of male cancer risk is higher in populations descended from plough-using societies. The research, conducted by Professor David Fielding from the Department of Economics, looked at societies where the plough was adopted in the Neolithic Read more...
Tourism Gives $11 Million Boost for Otago
Posted 2:32pm Sunday 15th March 2015 by Oliver Gaskell
T he Otago economy experienced a boost of almost $11 million last month, a 32 per cent increase from last year. New figures from the electronic transactions processor Paymark showed the foreign credit and eftpos card transactions in the region grew from $33.7 million in February 2014 to $44.5 Read more...
Gates Are Opened for Otago Research
Posted 2:32pm Sunday 15th March 2015 by Joe Higham
A $14.6 million grant has being given to an Otago-led government initiative, Ageing Well. Directed by the dean of Otago’s School of Physiotherapy, David Baxter, the initiative is one of the eleven research areas the government has targeted in order to improve the lives of New Zealanders. The Read more...
Rattray Mural Adds to Street Art
Posted 2:32pm Sunday 15th March 2015 by Zahra Shahtahmasebi
A s part of a project by the Dunedin Street Art group, Australian artist Fintan Magee has begun a new mural on Rattray Street. The mural, which spans from three to four storeys, is one of three projects in the area and is located on the side of the Scenic Hotel building. It is set to take a Read more...
Discipline Report Shows Decline
Posted 2:32pm Sunday 15th March 2015 by Laura Munro
I n 2014, a total of 482 students were involved in disciplinary matters referred to the proctor. Of these, 23 were deemed extreme enough to be recommended to the provost. The proctor deals with students who breach the code of conduct, and then if the matter is serious, he can refer them to the Read more...
Execrable | Issue 4
Posted 2:32pm Sunday 15th March 2015 by Laura Munro
T o begin the meeting, OUSA President Paul Hunt mentioned the possibility of OUSA renewing its membership to Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA). The membership would cost $100 per year and Hunt said that they would ask for OUSA to have a seat on the VSA Board. In 2014, OUSA withdrew its Read more...
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