Archive

Vote Chat: The Power Hungry Mr Woodhouse

Posted 4:44am Thursday 11th August 2011 by Joe Stockman

Leading into the November election, politics lecturer Bryce Edwards is interviewing New Zealand politicians each Friday at noon. Last Friday, National backbencher and North Dunedin electorate candidate Michael Woodhouse took the stage and talked about being the fifth of nine children, his take on Read more...

Radio One Saved

Posted 4:41am Thursday 11th August 2011 by Aimee Gulliver

OUSA cast their sickle aside After a month long submission process that garnered much media attention, the OUSA Executive has decided to reject the Deloitte review recommendation to sell Radio One.   OUSA Administrative Vice President Brad Russell told Critic that the Read more...

New Divisional Postgrad Reps

Posted 4:38am Thursday 11th August 2011 by Basti Menkes

In the wake of a recent OUSA Postgraduate Committee meeting, eight new Divisional Representatives for the rest of the year have been confirmed. These are: Simon Hoermann, Sarah Forbes, Anna Lindstrom, Aniruddha Chatterjee, Maria Pozza, Margi McMurdo-Reading, Adam Beissel and Sourav Paul. The Read more...

Nineties American Airline runs Ice Hockey game

Posted 4:37am Thursday 11th August 2011 by Lozz Holding

The Douglas Webber group brought three International Ice Hockey games to New Zealand, showcasing top players from the USA and Canada in Auckland and Christchurch before finishing off at the Dunedin Ice Stadium last Wednesday night. The teams were competing for the NZ Exhibition Cup, with the Read more...

Nothing Personal

Posted 11:28pm Monday 8th August 2011 by Georgie Fenwicke

Iranian Embassy Siege, London. Northern Ireland Troubles. American bombing, Tripoli. Tiananmen Square. Gulf War, Kuwait. Genocide in Rwanda. Siege of Sarajevo. This is a woman who has witnessed and covered some of the most significant moments in recent history. She has been shot three times, for Read more...

Fact: students not all that disease ridden

Posted 5:31am Monday 8th August 2011 by Gregor Whyte with reporting by Lozz Holding

Despite being irresponsible, binge-drinking slops who rarely attend class and mostly just waste the government’s money at the rate of $170 a week, Dunedin students are apparently not riddled with venereal disease. Following the election of new OUSA President Logan Edgar, many have been Read more...

Only 12 students found frozen dead in their hovels after minor snow flurry; authorities pleased

Posted 5:29am Monday 8th August 2011 by Lozz Holding

Dunedin suffered its heaviest snowfall in fifteen years, bringing widespread chaos and disruption to the city, but also delivering a couple of days welcome entertainment to the student population that didn’t have to study for UMAT. During the early hours of Sunday July 24, snow began to fall Read more...

Students jizz themselves as rockstar student politicians hit Dunedin

Posted 5:27am Monday 8th August 2011 by Aimee Gulliver

NZUSA Co-Presidents David Do and Max Hardy visited Dunedin last week as part of a nationwide tour of member campuses in order to engage with constituent students. Throngs of female students had to be held back by security after Do and Hardy hit the Dunedin campus, such was the sexual allure of the Read more...

Because the only thing people like more than drinking is studying

Posted 5:26am Monday 8th August 2011 by Aimee Gulliver

The University of Otago has released plans to redevelop former student pub Gardies into a “study and social centre.” Last year the University paid $1.75 million to buy the Gardens Tavern and transform the former drinking den into a new facility called the Marsh Study Centre, named after Graeme Read more...

New Zealander of the Year

Posted 5:24am Monday 8th August 2011 by Staff Reporter

A New Zealand man who witnessed the horrific Oslo bombing has become an internet sensation after giving an interview that literally defies belief for its vacuous stupidity. Cameron Leslie, predictably a University of Waikato graduate, is a sales rep for Thomson Reuters in Norway and was attending Read more...

No More Mass Exodus

Posted 5:23am Monday 8th August 2011 by Teuila Fuatai

Due to negative media attention, the Canterbury Engineering Students Association has cancelled its Great Quake Escape event. The event had been planned as a celebration to thank students who had helped out after the series of earthquakes that devastated Christchurch. Speaking to the Otago Read more...

Bouncing off the Halls - 18

Posted 5:19am Monday 8th August 2011 by Lozz Holding

UMAT. Four letters that strike fear deep into the bosom of the deluded freshers that still actually think they’ll be getting into Med School on the back of that B+ average from first semester. Forget the clap, the can-man or crowbar-wielding, fat South Dunedin swamp-donkeys on P. The most Read more...

Vote Chat: Politicians talk Politics

Posted 5:17am Monday 8th August 2011 by Joe Stockman

Each Friday at noon, politics lecturer Bryce Edwards is interviewing politicians in an ongoing series called “Political Chat”. Last week, Labour's North Dunedin candidate and electoral shoe in David Clark stepped up to the plate and talked about existential philosophy, social justice, and running in Read more...

Students unite for non-shitty future

Posted 5:15am Monday 8th August 2011 by Julia Hollingsworth

New nationwide youth-led lobby group Generation Zero held a public lecture last Wednesday to encourage students to do something about climate change. Held at the St David’s lecture theatre, the venue was almost packed to its 550-person capacity. The lecture was entitled “Cheer up Read more...

Execrable - 18

Posted 5:12am Monday 8th August 2011 by Daniel Benson- Guiu

Upon entry, Critic received weird stares from the exec, perhaps in part because we arrived a whopping five minutes early. Not wanting the exec to think we were too keen, Critic stared at an empty chair for a while. Unfortunately, this didn’t put the exec off: they were all happy to see someone new Read more...

Cadbury

Posted 4:15am Thursday 28th July 2011 by Georgie Fenwicke

Guess what? It's chocolate time! That's right, the Cadbury Chocolate Carnival started on Saturday complete with chocolate house, sculptress extraordinaire Prudence Staite and cooking lessons with Judith Cullen. The event, which began in 2000, has grown from a three-day affair to seven days of fun Read more...

This Paper Possibly Propels Politico to Parliament

Posted 4:09am Thursday 28th July 2011 by Gregor Whyte

Former Critic Editor Holly Walker may earn a list seat in Parliament this year after the Green Party’s strong showing in a recent Colmar Brunton poll. Walker is twelfth on the party list, meaning she would squeak into Parliament if the Greens can replicate their poll showing of 10% at the Read more...

ACT Party a Little Cagey

Posted 4:07am Thursday 28th July 2011 by Aimee Gulliver

OUSA President Logan Edgar was assaulted by a member of ACT on Campus shortly before entering his prison cell, where he spent two days protesting against VSM. The altercation began when Edgar screwed up a protest sign that a female member of the ACT group was holding, tossing it in the Read more...

The VC is Dead, Long Live the VC

Posted 4:02am Thursday 28th July 2011 by Gregor Whyte

The University of Otago will see a changing of the guard this week, as departing Vice Chancellor Sir Professor David Skegg steps down from the role on the 31st July after almost eight years heading the University. Skegg has overseen an era of significant change in the culture and practices of the Read more...

Logan Locked up for VSM's Bad Behaviour

Posted 3:56am Thursday 28th July 2011 by Lozz Holding

Last week OUSA President Logan Edgar locked himself inside a cage for 42 hours between 7pm Monday and 1pm on Wednesday. The stunt was designed to protest the Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill. The bill was introduced to Parliament by the ACT party and, if passed, could leave Read more...

OUSA not the only scandalous student organisation

Posted 3:51am Thursday 28th July 2011 by Staff Reporter (with reporting from Nexus Magazine).

Proving that exec members behaving scandalously isn’t a phenomenon exclusive to OUSA, the Waikato Students’ Union (WSU) has removed Vice President Maori Toko Baker with immediate effect after he seriously breached the values of the organization. Baker’s behaviour included alleged minor Read more...

Students not too concerned about SJS Office closure

Posted 3:49am Thursday 28th July 2011 by Teuila Fuatai

The possible closure of local SJS branches and their replacement with a centralised call centre in Wellington has been met with general unconcern among students spoken to by Critic. Whilst many students acknowledged using SJS to look for employment, both during the university year and over the Read more...

Crowd Divided on VSM, United Against Hilary

Posted 3:44am Thursday 28th July 2011 by Staff Reporter

Gareth Hughes (Green Party), David Clark (Labour), Michael Woodhouse (National) and Hilary Calvert (ACT Party) took part in a debate on VSM - among other issues - on Friday July 15 at the Gazebo Lounge. The politicians were given five minutes to introduce themselves at the beginning of the Read more...

Chronicles of Castle - 17

Posted 3:42am Thursday 28th July 2011 by Sam Reynolds

After a prolonged absence, Chronicles of Castle is back like the bowl cut. I do apologise for the delay but the author has been busy gathering stories during the chaos of Re-O Week. The chaos of last week has left most residents in a zombie like state, with malnutrition striking down flats and Read more...

Execrable - 17

Posted 11:53pm Monday 25th July 2011 by Aimee Gulliver

Critic’s first experience of an outdoor Exec meeting wasn’t quite the delightful nature encounter that we were hoping for. Instead, it was cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey. Luckily, caged President Logan Edgar was on hand to provide the lols, not to mention the hot chocolate bribe Read more...

Jeffrey Harris

Posted 5:14am Monday 25th July 2011 by Georgie Fenwicke

Two doors down from a car mechanic and across the road from a photography studio, Jeffrey Harris works and paints. It is his compulsion. Not to paint in his words renders him ‘frustrated and angry and depressed and very twitchy. I have got to work.” In his industrial space, he welcomes me with a Read more...

Next stop the White House

Posted 5:11am Monday 25th July 2011 by Gregor Whyte

New OUSA President Logan Edgar has had a meteoric rise in politics. Only weeks ago Edgar was just another bum on a seat in BSNS104: Principles of Economics One. Now he finds himself in charge of a multi-million dollar organisation, and many are tipping him to go on to even greater things. Read more...

There goes the neighbourhood

Posted 5:09am Monday 25th July 2011 by Aimee Gulliver

A proposal has been issued to Student Job Search offices nationwide indicating that regional offices will be shut down in September, with a centralised call centre to be established in Wellington. As a result Otago would be left without any representation on campus, with the one staff Read more...

Re-O no Rio

Posted 5:05am Monday 25th July 2011 by Lozz Holding

Last week was Re-O Week, and although a number of events were cancelled due to both the weather and lack of attendance, the week was generally considered a success. OUSA organised a raft of events to keep the punters amused. Wednesday saw the President dressed up as the Mad Butcher giving away Read more...

Deloitte have more money than Latvia.

Posted 5:01am Monday 25th July 2011 by Aimee Gulliver

Radio One is still too expensive though. The Deloitte review’s recommendation to sell Radio One has sparked a “Save Radio One” campaign, which has gained a significant following throughout the proposal’s consultation period.   The review was undertaken to Read more...

Student politicians have conference.

Posted 4:59am Monday 25th July 2011 by Gregor Whyte

Nobody cares. Business as usual then. The New Zealand Union of Student’s Associations (NZUSA) recently held its July conference at Victoria University of Wellington, with the presidents of student’s associations from around the country meeting to attend talks and workshops, and Read more...

Execrable - 16

Posted 4:58am Monday 25th July 2011 by Aimee Gulliver

First meeting back and Critic dashed into the boardroom slightly late to discover the whole Exec had been instructed to “dress like gangstas,” while wearing “I Read more...

Sigh…

Posted 4:56am Monday 25th July 2011 by Gregor Whyte

A radical element within Critic Te Arohi, the feted University of Otago student magazine, has established a new company with the intention of buying out the popular student watering hole The Captain Cook Tavern. The new Critic subsidiary, Critical Capital Holdings, is the brainchild of Read more...

On the roof

Posted 4:54am Monday 25th July 2011 by Teuila Fuatai

A drunken student had to be removed from the roof of the Cadbury’s factory in Dunedin by the fire service, as students marked the traditional Re-O Week with festivities and a lot of drinking. During the incident last Tuesday, a University of Otago student was arrested for climbing onto the top Read more...

Bouncing off the Halls - 16

Posted 4:53am Monday 25th July 2011 by Lozz Holding

Older students often tend to blame many of the problems in life on freshers, and for good reason. Freshers are frequently guilty of ruining bars, pushing rent prices up by signing flat leases in April, and of giving you that insatiable itch around your pubic region after a SoGo fuelled dalliance Read more...

Hon Steven Joyce

Posted 12:06am Tuesday 12th July 2011 by Georgie Fenwicke

Steven Joyce likes a good cappuccino, but insists on nothing sprinkled on the top. Surely, that's more of a latte then? But no, apparently with a layer of espresso, milk and froth it distinguishes itself easily from the infamous beverage. Joyce, a name more synonymous with Guiness and Leprechauns, Read more...

Remember that token Scarfie candidate?

Posted 12:01am Tuesday 12th July 2011 by Lozz Holding

He won. By a lot. ‘Scarfie’ candidate Logan Edgar won a landslide victory in the OUSA Presidential by-election held just before exams last semester. The now President Edgar is 20-year old second year BCom student majoring in Marketing. He was born and raised in Te Anau, Read more...

Review recommends less staff

Posted 11:54pm Monday 11th July 2011 by Aimee Gulliver

In May 2011 OUSA engaged the services of Deloitte to complete a review of the current organisational structure. Along with the potential sale of Radio One (covered on page 11), the review has recommended the disestablishment of various staff roles within OUSA. No final decisions have yet been Read more...

Radio None

Posted 11:40pm Monday 11th July 2011 by Gregor Whyte

OUSA is strongly considering getting rid of student radio station Radio One after an independent review by financial services giant Deloitte recommended selling the station to save money. In May the OUSA Executive commissioned Deloitte to “complete a review of the current organisational Read more...

Cook Brothers to sell Cook

Posted 11:38pm Monday 11th July 2011 by Lozz Holding

Identity crisis imminent? The Captain Cook Tavern is officially for sale, ending almost constant speculation from Critic. The Cook Brothers Bars Company has put the bar on the market and expressions of interest are open until 4pm July 22. The Captain Cook Tavern first opened in 1864 and Read more...

O-week again.

Posted 11:36pm Monday 11th July 2011 by Aimee Gulliver

OUSA is promising a “diverse range of entertainment” to “keep you warm while it’s getting a little cold out” for Re-Orientation 2011. The festivities kick off on Wednesday with OUSA Clubs Day in the Union Common Room between 10am and 4pm, giving students and the public a chance “to check Read more...

Critic’s power and influence growing.

Posted 11:35pm Monday 11th July 2011 by Gregor Whyte

Critic’s hard-hitting journalism has successfully forced the ODT to redesign the ‘On Campus’ website after Critic’s groundbreaking coverage of an alleged ‘nefarious alliance’ between the ODT and the Otago Polytechnic (see Critic Issue 14, page 13). In June the ODT redesigned their website to Read more...

Exec Member Strides Off

Posted 11:29pm Monday 11th July 2011 by Julia Hollingsworth

OUSA Finance and Services Officer Dan Stride has resigned from his position after allegations of criminal conduct by Stride were referred to the police. Stride was accused of indecent assault and was offered diversion under the police diversion scheme. The incident occurred at a flat party, Read more...

Students incapable of learning

Posted 11:28pm Monday 11th July 2011 by Aimee Gulliver

Dunedin police are formulating a plan to reduce the number of burglaries in the scarfie-populated North Dunedin, having recorded 54 burglaries between March and June this year in streets mainly lived in by students. Inspector Campbell, the police Area Commander, described the area as Read more...

Mayor Dave Cull

Posted 4:20am Monday 11th July 2011 by Georgie Fenwicke

Last year, Dunedin wanted change. It demanded change. And Dave Cull seemed to be the man to deliver it. As such, he was voted in as your Mayor. You may have even given him the tick. Or did you vote back home? Having talked to the guy, I can see why Cull attracted the voters. He writes, he reads, is Read more...

Young voters could decide the MMP referendum

Posted 4:14am Monday 11th July 2011 by Josh Hercus

The youth vote could be the decider in the upcoming referendum on MMP, with current enrolment rates in the 18-24 demographic so low that they could prove critical in MMP’s tight contest to remain as New Zealand’s election system. Only 50.17% of youth aged 18 to 24 are enrolled to vote in Read more...

ODT and Polytech combine to take a dump on head of Uni

Posted 4:11am Monday 11th July 2011 by Gregor Whyte

The alleged uncovering of a nefarious alliance between the Otago Polytechnic and the Otago Daily Times (ODT) has triggered a ridiculous article in the student magazine Critic. Whilst browsing the ODT website to find filler news for the “Briefs” section of the magazine, Critic Read more...

Everything passes in OUSA Referendum. Except that darned constitution.

Posted 4:08am Monday 11th July 2011 by Gregor Whyte

The OUSA referendum resulted in all motions passing the vote, with the exception of the crucial motion addressing the current constitutional structure of OUSA. Motions accepting the OUSA audited financial statements and annual report for 2010 both passed with only minor opposition, although in Read more...

Otago Less Good

Posted 4:06am Monday 11th July 2011 by Gregor Whyte

Unimpressed with lack of couch burnings and riots, ranking agency punishes Otago with huge drop in rankings. New Zealand universities have fallen considerably in the just released version of the QS World Universities Rankings, with Otago University suffering the most significant tumble, Read more...

Execrable - 14

Posted 4:05am Monday 11th July 2011 by Aimee Gulliver

Acting-Acting-Vice-President Katie Reid chaired last week’s Executive meeting, with the presidential by-election causing a bit of a shuffle-up in the Exec structure. Administrative Vice President/Acting President Brad Russell didn’t want to chair the meeting in case it appeared he was Read more...