Archive
Critic tackles election year | Issue 23
Posted 4:38pm Sunday 14th September 2014 by Carys Goodwin
On Monday 8 September, Critic hosted its own version of Back Benches with Wallace Chapman. Last week’s politics section was dedicated to introducing the participants, who were young politicians from across the spectrum; this week looks at the most hilarious quips and quotes offered by Wallace, John Read more...
OUSA 2015 Executive Elections
Posted 4:38pm Sunday 14th September 2014 by Critic
The nominations for the 2014 OUSA Executive have closed, and an array of good-looking candidates have put their names forward to represent you next year. Voting will take place on the OUSA website from 22 to 25 September, with the winners announced that evening. There are 11 voting positions Read more...
Execrable | Issue 23
Posted 4:38pm Sunday 14th September 2014 by Josie Cochrane
This Executive meeting was brief, but revealed a busier week for the team - enough to actually convince Critic that they may have met their hourly requirements! The Executive passed a motion to renovate the Aquatic Centre. They aim to spend $25,200 (excluding GST) on the vinyl flooring and Read more...
Dirty Student Politics
Posted 10:28pm Tuesday 9th September 2014 by Carys Goodwin
*content warning* Kiwiblog's David Farrar stands by the blog post in which he argues OUSA President Ruby Sycamore-Smith is implicitly condoning rape in her support of Tom Scott’s @Peace song “Kill the PM.” On 1 September, Sycamore-Smith published a column in Critic in which she praised Read more...
Politweets | Issue 22
Posted 11:52pm Sunday 7th September 2014 by Carys Goodwin
Um, lol. Tau has been sassy this week. I don’t know, John in Clarendon Hills, Illinois. Read more...
Greatest hits/ Greatest shits | Issue 22
Posted 11:52pm Sunday 7th September 2014 by Carys Goodwin
Greatest hitsStuff gets Shit, but they also get Hit for releasing a segment featuring up-close-and-personal portraits of what they call “political bloodstock.” Dark, gritty, and sly, these photographs come far closer to visually depicting the intensity of the election campaign than the majority of Read more...
Critic's guide to Young Back Benches
Posted 11:52pm Sunday 7th September 2014 by Carys Goodwin
John Brinsley-Pirie | Young Nat / Dunedin South Campaign TeamFavourite policy in a sentence: The most valuable stance this Government has for me is their resistance to using tax increases to solve problems. Sometimes tax is an answer, but I appreciate that this government looks to others in the Read more...
Interview: David Clark
Posted 11:52pm Sunday 7th September 2014 by Carys Goodwin
David Clark is probably one of the more familiar political faces around campus. He has an office right nearby, he’s our elected representative, and he’s vying to continue in his position. With experience in a number of student-related areas, including being Warden of Selwyn and taking a turn at Read more...
Premier League silly season breaks spending records
Posted 11:52pm Sunday 7th September 2014 by Daniel Lormans
To the ridiculously expensive football desk where the transfer window has just closed and the best part of £1 billion has been spent. This obscene amount of money spent in this transfer window highlights just some of the absurdity in English football, with many fans and managers wishing that the Read more...
Who let the dogs out
Posted 11:52pm Sunday 7th September 2014 by Steph Taylor
Recent figures released by the Dunedin City Council show that 244 dog attacks have been reported to the Council during the last year. Council figures report that the various dog attacks were on people, pets, livestock and wild animals. From July 2013 to July 2014, 69 dog attacks in the Read more...
Alumni events for students to meet Otago celebrity graduates
Posted 11:52pm Sunday 7th September 2014 by Anna Whyte
The Otago Alumni are holding events at the University, with opportunities for past and current students to experience, interact and network for life beyond university. The Allan Hall Theatre is hosting a reunion party this weekend from 12 to 14 September to commemorate its 100th birthday. For Read more...
“Study Dunedin” enforces image that no one does anything but study here
Posted 11:52pm Sunday 7th September 2014 by Emily Draper
The Dunedin City Council is launching a new brand in the hopes of combating decreasing international enrolment numbers. Study Dunedin, or Project Export Education Uplift, is one of six projects launched within Dunedin City Council’s Economic Development Strategy, designed to re-brand the region in Read more...
Medical student life appears less and less appealing
Posted 11:52pm Sunday 7th September 2014 by Nina Harrap
Studylink’s current student loan policy finds many medical students having to find the final $20,000 to fund their last year of school. As the policy currently stands, students can borrow money for the equivalent of seven years of full-time study (7EFTS). This means that students doing long-course Read more...
Advanced voting available in the link
Posted 11:52pm Sunday 7th September 2014 by Laura Munro
Voting in the 2014 General Election kicked off last Wednesday with advanced voting now available to all New Zealanders. This year, all voters have the opportunity to cast their votes earlier than the official Election Day, 20 September. Previously, a valid reason to vote early was required. Read more...
OUSA drops Volunteer Services Abroad membership
Posted 11:52pm Sunday 7th September 2014 by Laura Munro
In an Executive meeting on 29 July, a decision was made that OUSA would end their membership to the organisation Volunteer Services Abroad. The decision was put forward by OUSA Admin Vice President Ryan Edgar and unanimously agreed upon by all executive members. Edgar said he was “certainly not” in Read more...
Execrable | Issue 22
Posted 11:52pm Sunday 7th September 2014 by Josie Cochrane
A new, much needed assistant to the Executive, Projects Officer Annabelle Boelema, kicked off the meeting with general reminders for the Executive members. Annabelle presented the plans for the Election; with just over two weeks to go, OUSA have the RockEnrol with Generation Zero, Back Benches by Read more...
DCC proposes draconian alcohol policies
Posted 11:52pm Sunday 7th September 2014 by Nina Harrap
The Dunedin bar scene could be experiencing further changes in the near future as the Dunedin City Council considers tightening the restrictions on the sale of alcohol. The draft of a new Local Alcohol Policy (LAP) was recently released and includes a ban on drinking outside bars after 11pm, Read more...
Interview: Kevin Hague - Green MP
Posted 5:55pm Sunday 31st August 2014 by Carys Goodwin
Kevin Hague is a current Green MP, and looks after their health and sport policy. In the interest of providing something of note to the P.E. students that isn’t on the sport pages, I asked him about what policies he advocates for in the complex network of elite sport and school activities. I also Read more...
Consumer Magazine - is New Zealand’s icon of consumer protection hopelessly compromised?
Posted 5:55pm Sunday 31st August 2014 by Laura Munro
Consumer New Zealand has long had a reputation as the guardian of the New Zealand consumer. Active since 1959, they claim they are “dedicated to getting New Zealanders a better deal.” And their biggest pitch has always been their independence. When Critic spoke to David Naulls, Deputy CEO and Read more...
Greatest hits / Greatest shits | Issue 21
Posted 5:55pm Sunday 31st August 2014 by Carys Goodwin
Greatest HitThere are a few contenders this week, what with the UBS apparently giving out airline sick bags to anyone who bought a copy of Dirty Politics and the hilarious election broadcasts screening, but Greatest Hit has to go to one of the underdogs of the election: the Civilian Party. They Read more...
Politweets | Issue 21
Posted 5:55pm Sunday 31st August 2014 by Carys Goodwin
Winston are you okay, are you okay, are you okay, Winston? Poetic. Tragic. Ouch. That’s the real Asenati, too. Read more...
Critic tackles election year | Issue 21
Posted 5:55pm Sunday 31st August 2014 by Carys Goodwin
DISCLOSURE: Carys is a Green Party hack who is hardcore hacking it up for the election. But don’t worry – she has a few National Party friends who don’t hesitate to send in angsty letters to the editor when she strays too far into shill territory. In David Cunliffe’s ideal government there Read more...
Another year, another trophy for the All Blacks
Posted 5:55pm Sunday 31st August 2014 by Daniel Lormans
To the predictably triumphant rugby desk where the World Champion All Blacks have locked away the Bledisloe Cup for the 12th year in a row with Richie and the boys setting some new records along the way. Their haul of 51 points at Eden Park was a record against the Wallabies, our man Aaron Smith Read more...
Watching for madness at the movies
Posted 5:55pm Sunday 31st August 2014 by Josie Cochrane
A new study carried out at the University of Otago‘s Wellington campus has named ten of the best movies that they recommend medical students view in order to facilitate self-directed learning in psychiatry. Lead author Nick Wilson says that there is significant international literature on Read more...
Government still wants you to stop smoking
Posted 5:55pm Sunday 31st August 2014 by Nina Harrap
October has been christened “Stoptober,” as the government pushes to implement a new anti-smoking campaign. According to a recent press statement, “the campaign, funded by the Ministry of Health’s Pathway to Smokefree New Zealand 2025 Innovation Fund, aims to generate 43,000 quit attempts, with 10 Read more...
Otago Students win National Brand Challenge
Posted 5:55pm Sunday 31st August 2014 by Laura Munro
Four students from the University of Otago have successfully taken away first prize in the New Zealand Brand Challenge. Run by the New Zealand Marketing Association, the competition involved six universities from across New Zealand. Taylor Wheeler, Josie Cochrane, Ryan Edgar and Logan Edgar were all Read more...
Endangered Dunedin fish eaten by hungry trout
Posted 5:55pm Sunday 31st August 2014 by Anna Whyte
Native Dunedin freshwater fish are enduring delays in their protection programme by the Department of Conservation, even though they are acutely and chronically threatened. The non-migratory Eldon’s Galaxias, a subspecies of the Galaxiid family that is native to New Zealand, has been declining due Read more...
Otago University I.T.S. members no longer have hair
Posted 5:55pm Sunday 31st August 2014 by Josie Cochrane
Two members of the University of Otago’s ITS Service Desk team have had their faces shaved by a blind man to support the Cancer Society’s annual Daffodil Day fundraiser. Customer Service Representatives David Steer and James Inger had their faces shaved by their blind colleague Simon Fogarty last Read more...
Proctology | Issue 21
Posted 5:55pm Sunday 31st August 2014 by Josie Cochrane
Once again, the Proctor has had reports of misbehaviour at the Botanic Gardens in recent weeks; there have been two particularly large groups who have been caught drinking in the gardens. The Proctor said that one group swiftly left the gardens once Campus Watch arrived, but the other group was Read more...
Execrable | Issue 21
Posted 5:55pm Sunday 31st August 2014 by Laura Munro
To kick off the meeting, apologies were made on behalf of Hamish Barker, who had to leave the meeting early due to other commitments. Welfare Officer Payal Ramritu was also unable to attend due to car troubles. OUSA’s affiliation with the Justice in Palestine group was first discussed. The Read more...
Dunedin City Council at centre of $1.5 million fraud investigation
Posted 5:55pm Sunday 31st August 2014 by Emily Draper
The Dunedin City Council has been left reeling after a $1.5 million fraud scheme was uncovered within the council’s Citifleet department earlier this month. The alleged fraud involved $1.5 million of missing proceeds from the sale of 152 council cars. According to Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull, the Read more...
Dunedin students snow how to party
Posted 1:47pm Thursday 28th August 2014 by Steph Taylor
Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium was the venue for the first Indoor Winch Jam held on Saturday 23 August. The event, which showcased snowboarding and skiing talent, involved snowboarders and skiers being towed by a winch on to a snow jump. The alcohol-free event had no charge for entry. Two Read more...
Home away from home or really expensive prison?
Posted 12:53am Monday 18th August 2014 by Josie Cochrane
Following reports from past and present students from the University of Otago Halls of Residence, Critic has spoken to numerous parties to address complaints regarding hall life. A number of students have reported to Critic that their time at their hall is “cliquey,” “lonely” and “not safe Read more...
Greatest hits / Greatest shits | Issue 20
Posted 12:53am Monday 18th August 2014 by Carys Goodwin
Greatest HitWithout a doubt, Greatest Hit this week goes to Nicky Hager, who has created what can only be described as a “shitstorm” in response to the publication of his new book. Prior to its release, the hilarious Twitter speculation alone was enough to warrant it this prized award; but Dirty Read more...
Politweets | Issue 20
Posted 12:53am Monday 18th August 2014 by Carys Goodwin
Nice. Probably. I don't know but we definitely should. Poor Col. Read more...
Critic Tackles Election Year | Issue 20
Posted 12:53am Monday 18th August 2014 by Carys Goodwin
Since I’ve already featured an article in which I followed Clare Curran around for an afternoon, I figured it was only fair to take a look at two of the other people vying for the spot: Hamish Walker of the National Party and Shane Gallagher of the Greens. Initially, I was hoping to host a debate Read more...
A Season of Fire and Ice: The Game of Premier League Thrones
Posted 12:53am Monday 18th August 2014 by Daniel Lormans
This week we go to the Weirwood and Valyrian steel football desk where over the past few years our two favourite things to illegally stream online have been HBO’s violent, softcore-pornography drama, Game of Thrones, and the less violent but equally awesome male soap-opera that is the English Read more...
Dunedin-destined Drugs; Prison-destined student
Posted 12:53am Monday 18th August 2014 by Anna Whyte
A 21-year-old male student from Otago Polytechnic has been charged with importing class A and class B controlled drugs. The recent drug haul, which found LSD and MDMA (ecstasy) on Monday 11 August, had an estimated value of between $3,000 and $7,000 for the LSD and approximately $50,000 for the Read more...
Unaccounted leave leaves accountant unaccounted for
Posted 12:53am Monday 18th August 2014 by Bella Macdonald
A former University of Otago student has been removed as a member of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants after giving false medical certificates to his former workplace and a fake reference to a recruitment company. At his hearing on 5 August 2014, Simon Michael Collins was Read more...
Toroa College blowing the budget even more
Posted 12:53am Monday 18th August 2014 by Steph Taylor
Toroa College’s recent upgrade and expansion has gone over budget by even more than previously reported, with the total cost of the refurbishment now being over budget by almost $1 million. As previously found, the extreme difference in cost was recorded as being an error in the estimated cost. Read more...
Aoraki faces worst student numbers in the country
Posted 12:53am Monday 18th August 2014 by Emily Draper
Aoraki Polytechnic continues to record a decline in student numbers, according to figures released by the Tertiary Education Commission. The figures show that Aoraki is losing students at a faster rate than any other New Zealand university or polytechnic. In 2013, numbers dropped from 915 to Read more...
Salient Editor Fails at Playing Critic
Posted 12:53am Monday 18th August 2014 by Laura Munro
Cameron Price, Co-Editor of Victoria University’s student magazine Salient, has brutally failed at an attempt to troll the intellects at Critic. Price recently put himself forward for multiple executive positions in the VUWSA (Victoria University of Wellington Student Association) elections Read more...
Labour announces tertiary education policy
Posted 12:53am Monday 18th August 2014 by Nina Harrap
The Labour Party has announced the tertiary education policy that they plan to implement if they are elected to government. The policy was released by Labour’s Tertiary Education spokesperson Maryan Street. It promises “a Labour Government will fully review the student support system – including Read more...
$10,000 street art fund not enough
Posted 12:53am Monday 18th August 2014 by Bella Macdonald
Dunedin’s first Street Art Festival is set to take place in October. With a $10,000 Dunedin City Council grant for more artwork, organisers have raised a further $5,000 to bring international street artist Dal East to the festival. The contributions of 11 artists have been confirmed to attend Read more...
Execrable | Issue 20
Posted 12:53am Monday 18th August 2014 by Josie Cochrane
We got a wee bit excited last Executive meeting after the team appeared to be having productive discussion. It didn’t last long. The meeting began with some good old-fashioned OUSA scandal. OUSA President Ruby Sycamore-Smith announced that she had entered into a relationship with Critic Read more...
Disabled student mistaken as drunk
Posted 12:53am Monday 18th August 2014 by Laura Munro
During Dunedin’s Illuminate Paint Party, which took place at Forsyth Barr Stadium on 10 July 2014, a University of Otago student was denied entry due to appearing intoxicated to staff. In actual fact he suffered from a number of physical disabilities. Critic spoke with the student, Richard, who is Read more...
The latest assault on Palestine (a primer)
Posted 9:16pm Sunday 10th August 2014 by Olivier Jutel
At university we are taught to be dispassionate analysts of world events, but in the face of the massacre in Gaza, academic detachment is hard to achieve. As the host of Radio One politics show The Revolution Will Not be Televised, I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Peace and Conflict Read more...
Greatest Hits / Greatest Shits | Issue 19
Posted 9:16pm Sunday 10th August 2014 by Carys Goodwin
Greatest Hit On Wednesday last week, Clare Curran participated in an AMA on Reddit, an activity that involves answering anything that the New Zealand Internet deems worthy enough to ask her. While it wasn’t full of cheese rolls banter, Clare gets points for responding to “can you please tell Read more...
Politweets | Issue 19
Posted 9:16pm Sunday 10th August 2014 by Carys Goodwin
Ok. Things are looking up. Henare's Helpers Cleaning Service? Dairy me. Classic election move. Oh well. Read more...
Critic tackles election year | Issue 19
Posted 9:16pm Sunday 10th August 2014 by Carys Goodwin
Laila is, without a doubt, a politician. She has deftly navigated herself across the political scene for years now, and her latest adventure as leader of the Internet Party is no exception. Even with a head cold, she was able to redefine and tear apart every question I asked her. It’s intensely Read more...
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