Archive

Critical Tribune: EMERGENCY: Snow Forecast for Union Lawn Microclimate as 36 Tonnes of Snow Scheduled to Arrive this Thursday

Posted 1:34pm Monday 15th September 2025 by Petra Barfy

Panic sweeps through the University of Otago campus this week after meteorologists issued an unprecedented forecast predicting “localized blizzard conditions” for Union Lawn, where a sudden 36-tonne snowfall is expected to bury the area on September 18. The snowstorm, strangely absent Read more...

100 Dancers Storm the TCol Stage

Posted 1:16pm Monday 15th September 2025 by Molly Smith-Soppet

Otago Dance Association (ODA) are tumbling headfirst down the rabbit hole this month with the crowning jewel of the club: their annual showcase. Mark your calendars for the 26th and 27th of September when 108(ish) students will take the stage. This year, the performance is a stage-adaptation of Read more...

Otago’s Campus Celebrates 50 Years of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori

Posted 1:09pm Monday 15th September 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori has reached its golden jubilee, celebrating 50 years of advocating for Aotearoa’s native language. This year's byline is ‘ake ake ake’ – a forever language. It’s a huge occasion for pride and community-building for many on the University Read more...

Background Checking Wanna-be Mayors

Posted 1:02pm Monday 15th September 2025 by Nina Brown

If you’ve gone on a cruise out of town lately, you’ll have clocked the shocking array of roadside billboards begging for that sweet democratic #1 ranking. Last week, OUSA hosted the candidates for the upcoming local body elections in a series of forums, held in the Main Common Room at Read more...

Student Pen Becomes Magical Sword

Posted 12:22pm Monday 15th September 2025 by Harry Almey

Ah, Otago students, we know how it is. You're forever time poor; all those books, never enough time to actually read them. So, you can imagine Critic Te Ārohi’s surprise when we heard the cry: one of Otago's own is becoming an author! Here are the trials and tribulations it takes Read more...

Amnesty Youth Debuts Night Lecture Series

Posted 12:14pm Monday 15th September 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

In only their second year of existence, Amnesty Youth Otago (AYO) have rapidly become one of OUSA’s most on-to-it clubs. Fresh off the heels of winning Team of the Year at the recent Amnesty Dove Awards, the team is channeling their efforts into a new initiative: a lecture series. And as an Read more...

Execrable: Refusals to Resign & Letters Abound

Posted 6:44pm Sunday 7th September 2025 by Hanna Varrs

Push For Jett Groshinski’s Resignation In bombshell news, Political Representative Jett Groshinski was asked to resign by two-thirds of the OUSA Executive at their most recent meeting on Thursday, August 28th. The Exec told Critic Te Ārohi that the decision was “not made Read more...

Critical Tribune: Breather attends a lecture in person and discovers he really likes it

Posted 5:20pm Sunday 7th September 2025 by Matt Hilda

“I didn’t really know what the bros were up to during the day,” Zack admitted. “They were always off to go see David, or Burns. Even when they said they were at Castle 2, I went over to the flat on Leith and the boys just told me to fuck off. I felt a bit left Read more...

Episode II: Return of the Spud

Posted 5:12pm Sunday 7th September 2025 by Harry Almey

It's been an eventful time for the Polytech’s potato-preneur Emily Gilbert. In the span of a month, she’s reached student stardom with her stupendous spud scoop – from an experimental culinary assignment to Patti’s and Cream sales and a national TV stint. Forget Leo and Read more...

Regional Council Candidates Tempt Students with ‘A Better Deal’

Posted 5:00pm Sunday 7th September 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

The Otago Regional Council (ORC) looks after things like buses and Otago’s natural environment – and a group of candidates are announcing a ‘Better Deal for Students’. They reckon some of these ideas may be lucrative for student voters in the upcoming Local Government Read more...

Law Revue Reviewed: It Didn’t Suck

Posted 4:55pm Sunday 7th September 2025 by Harry Almey, Zoe Eckhoff & Ella Grayson

From skits to show, Law Revue 2025 did not overstay its welcome (take hints, Med Revue) in showcasing some of the boldest, talented people from the law community – wrapped in a sexy one-and-a-half-hour-long session so we could all get back to our teddy bears on time. The love child of students Read more...

OUSA President Nearly Lived in a Cage for a Week

Posted 4:49pm Sunday 7th September 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

If you ever wanted to watch the OUSA President live in a literal cage for a week, unfortunately your dreams have been locked away. From the 25th to the 29th of August, OUSA President Liam White had planned to live in a cage to raise awareness of poor student housing. Critic Te Ārohi has a scoop Read more...

Political Rep Jett Groshinski Formally Asked To Resign By Executive

Posted 4:58pm Friday 29th August 2025 by Hanna Varrs

The Otago University Students’ Association (OUSA) Executive has requested the resignation of Political Representative, Jett Groshinski, following an internal review of conduct and responsibilities at this week’s Executive meeting on the 28th of August. The OUSA Executive told Critic in a Read more...

Critical Tribune: The Most Insufferable Person You Know Becomes LinkedIn Influencer

Posted 10:29pm Sunday 24th August 2025 by Anderson Coomer

The sound of students audibly sighing across Dunedin last week was recorded as a magnitude of 1.9. This disturbance comes after the most insufferable person you know is now a LinkedIn influencer. Sora Noying, a fifth-year law and politics student, who is more commonly known amongst acquaintances as Read more...

Student Health Continues to Offer Same-Day Appointments Despite Wait-Time Pressures

Posted 10:21pm Sunday 24th August 2025 by Tilly Rumball-Smith

Student Health has the massive job of providing healthcare to eighteen thousand students at Otago University. If you don’t have a GP down in Dunedin (practically all of us) you’re going to Student Health for every cough, UTI, Covid test, and sick note. For mental health matters, however, Read more...

BDS is Back: Students Overwhelmingly Endorse Posture at SGM

Posted 10:18pm Sunday 24th August 2025 by Nina Brown

It was standing room only in the Main Common Room (MCR) last Thursday as a large group of students met to vote on a motion on whether OUSA should re-adopt their Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) posture. The student general meeting (SGM) was called by Political Representative Jett Groshinski and Read more...

Ending Bad Care for Endometriosis

Posted 10:12pm Sunday 24th August 2025 by Stella Weston

A petition has been launched to review and re-write the Government’s national endometriosis guidelines. The brains behind the petition, Endo Warriors Aotearoa, are a grassroots charity working to support those affected by endometriosis. Second-year Law and Politics student Jomana Moharram, who Read more...

First Came the Floods, Then Came the Asbestos

Posted 10:08pm Sunday 24th August 2025 by Zoe Eckhoff

Things have gone from bad to worse for residents of Carrington College’s Dawson House. In July, flooding forced them to relocate to Toroa. Asbestos discovered under soggy tiles made them stay there. Adorning a metaphoric hazmat suit, Critic stepped in to assess the situation.  A few Read more...

BDS is Back: Students Overwhelmingly Endorse Posture at SGM

Posted 7:03pm Thursday 21st August 2025 by Nina Brown

It was standing room only in the Main Common Room (MCR) last Thursday as a large group of students met to vote on a motion on whether OUSA should re-adopt their Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) posture. The student general meeting (SGM) was called by Political Representative Jett Groshinski and Read more...

Sustainability Students’ Stellar Semester

Posted 11:33pm Sunday 17th August 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

Bikes, bagels, and bargains. The team behind Toitū te Taiao Sustainability Office is continuing a stellar line up of events this year. Toitū te Taiao are the team that runs sustainability initiatives around campus such as Te Oraka, the sustainability neighborhood, and diversion days. Read more...

Execrable: Betrayal from the Inside?

Posted 11:30pm Sunday 17th August 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

A special general meeting (SGM) has been called with a motion for OUSA to re-adopt BDS. The culprit? One of OUSA’s own: Political Representative Jett Groshinski. The SGM will take place this Thursday, August 21st, at 1pm in the Main Common Room.  An SGM is an invitation for the student Read more...

Students Chalk Up Change to Lecture Recordings

Posted 11:27pm Sunday 17th August 2025 by Harry Almey

To fight for their proposed lecture recording policy, the OUSA Exec team, chalk in hand, marched outside to do a deadly battle. Despite the bitter cold and rainclouds forming, concrete outside the OUSA offices was transformed into a sea of chalked messages – before immediately getting washed Read more...

A Tale of Twin, Mouldy Cities

Posted 11:25pm Sunday 17th August 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

Dunedin may be the undisputed student city of Aotearoa, but Wellington is not far behind. Both cities are also known for being cold and miserable at times, and especially known for their shit flats. Critic Te Ārohi took a look at what your local council will do for you when shit hits the fan in Read more...

Freshers Plagued by Even More Diseases than Usual

Posted 11:20pm Sunday 17th August 2025 by Imogen Perry

With Semester 2 well underway, the residential colleges have allegedly been transformed into a cesspit of unknown bacteria, threatening the social lives of freshers left, right, and centre. Yet the unspoken question lies unanswered – are you gonna get Covid, strep or the flu by accidentally Read more...

Student Activists Help Shutter ANZ

Posted 11:18pm Sunday 17th August 2025 by Tilly Rumball-Smith

Heads up, there’s plans to demolish Nelson! Ridiculous, right? Well, it’s not far from the truth – and 31 protestors blockaded ANZ across the motu on the 8th of August to demonstrate their disapproval. Bathurst Resources Ltd, Aotearoa’s biggest mining company, has a Fast Read more...

Execrable: Betrayal from the Inside?

Posted 10:20pm Thursday 14th August 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

A special general meeting (SGM) has been called with a motion for OUSA to re-adopt BDS. The culprit? One of OUSA’s own: Political Representative Jett Groshinski. The SGM will take place on Thursday, August 21st, at 1pm in the Main Common Room.    An SGM is an invitation for the Read more...

The Diagnosis of Med Revue

Posted 10:19pm Sunday 10th August 2025 by Harry Almey

Despite being cancelled for a certain student-theatre review earlier in the year, Critic Te Ārohi is back on its feet for Med Revue. Ever gluttons for punishment, here’s what three hours of enduring med-student humour is like (in the name of charity, of course).  Med Revue’s Read more...

Potato Milk Review: Sold Nowhere Else in NZ

Posted 9:41pm Sunday 10th August 2025 by Harry Almey

Society loves potatoes for their versatility: Deep-fried, mashed or made into vodka. But one brave Polytechnic tauira, Emily Gilbert, has invented ‘Spud Milk’ – a NZ first.  "Another icky health food!" you blurt out loud while reading this review. "Quality Read more...

Law Students Swap Firms for Fundraisers

Posted 9:38pm Sunday 10th August 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

A group of Law tauira have put together a roster of fundraising events for Ōtepoti Whānau Refuge. The first of a stacked five-piece line up is a designer clothes sale on the 16th of August, featuring brand new clothes from many iconic labels at up to half price.  Critic Te Read more...

BDS Binned: OUSA Executive Fronts Up to Widespread Criticism

Posted 9:29pm Sunday 10th August 2025 by Gryffin Blockley, Hanna Varrs & Nina Brown

News of the OUSA Exec abandoning their Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) posture has triggered an outpouring of criticism from the student community and beyond. The decision went against the 53% of 1,766 students (8.83% of 20,000 students) who voted “yes” to maintaining the policy Read more...

The Goon Show has Landed in Dunedin

Posted 9:24pm Sunday 10th August 2025 by Molly Smith-Soppet

A cult-classic British radio comedy from the 1950s is getting a revival at the most unlikely of places, Allen Hall Lunchtime Theatre. If you're feeling emotionally burnt out by unfair grades or the political drama flooding your TikTok feed, then this might just be your reprieve. The Goon Show is Read more...

BDS Binned: OUSA Executive Fronts Up to Widespread Criticism

Posted 12:35pm Friday 8th August 2025 by Nina Brown, Hanna Varrs & Gryffin Blockley

News of the OUSA Exec abandoning their Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) posture has triggered an outpouring of criticism from the student community and beyond. The decision went against the 53% of 1,766 students (8.83% of 20,000 students) who voted “yes” to maintaining the policy Read more...

Are Vapes Exploding In Our Mouths? Coalition Says “Nuh Uh”

Posted 8:29pm Sunday 3rd August 2025 by Zoe Eckhoff

In a massive win for the nicotine-addicted, vaping restrictions introduced by the previous Labour government have been rolled back by the current coalition government, just over a month since they kicked in. Mason Corporation, who own the vape shop Shosha, challenged the court to lift the ban on Read more...

Nurses Strike Against “Detrimental To Patient” Working Conditions

Posted 8:27pm Sunday 3rd August 2025 by Via Hooks

Last Wednesday, Dunedin nurses joined a national 24-hour strike to protest dangerously low staffing in hospitals across the motu. Marching from the Octagon, a large crowd had gathered on the Museum Reserve by noon, expressing their dissatisfaction with the current Government and Te Whatu Ora’s Read more...

Chaos on the Commute

Posted 8:25pm Sunday 3rd August 2025 by Liberty Murray

In case actually showing up to your morning lectures was bad enough, a recent streak of icy mornings have left Otago tauira shaken and embarrassed. Students were falling like dominoes and cars were slipping and sliding around the roads, much to the enjoyment of wise students who didn’t leave Read more...

Execrable: BDS Abandoned, NZUSA Withdrawal & Protests Planned

Posted 8:23pm Sunday 3rd August 2025 by Nina Brown, Hanna Varrs & Gryffin Blockley

The OUSA Exec held Critic hostage for two hours at their meeting last Thursday (we outlasted Liam, even). In what could only be described as a “robust” meeting (I can’t stop) the agenda had three big ticket items: finally talking about the referendum results, NZUSA withdrawal, and Read more...

Shit Times in Studentville with Chlöe Swarbrick

Posted 8:20pm Sunday 3rd August 2025 by Nina Brown

Behind the mirage of constant socialisation and great discounts, the reality of student life is that it’s a bit shit sometimes. When Green Party Co-Leader Chlöe Swarbrick was in town for the launch of the Green’s Ōtepoti campaign in the upcoming local body elections, she found Read more...

Trip Report: 98 Years of OUTC’s Bush Ball

Posted 8:16pm Sunday 3rd August 2025 by Jonathan McCabe

What happens in the bush stays in the bush. The Otago University Tramping Club (OUTC) has built up an illusive reputation over its storied history of people full-sending it in the woods. Bush Ball is arguably the most famous (and feral) of their many adventures across the motu each year. Read more...

Students Caress Mountain to Win Free Stuff

Posted 5:51pm Saturday 26th July 2025 by Stella Weston

With over $10k worth of prizes to be won, Radio One’s Re:Ori’ Marathon Mountain event was a huge success, with the winner managing to hold onto a paper mache mountain for over seven hours. The mountain was reportedly the only thing in North D that students had a tighter grip on than Read more...

Uni SCRAMBLES to Find POPH192 Tutors

Posted 5:43pm Saturday 26th July 2025 by Molly Smith-Soppet

Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) students are panicking – and it's not about if they will get into Med for a change. This time, it’s because there are no tutors to help them get the grades. St Marg’s, Arana, Hayward and 192 Castle College were all without POPH192 tutors at the Read more...

Minion Rave Reviewed: Where were all the babois?

Posted 5:39pm Saturday 26th July 2025 by Hanna Varrs, Gryffin Blockley and Maddy Barnes

OUSA was reaching for the moon for the Friday of Re-O, hosting a Minion-themed boiler room at U-Bar. Critic Te Ārohi was more than happy to go bananas and review the event – only to be greeted by a desolate dance floor. There were like 20 people there.  Of the OUSA-run Re-Ori Read more...

Carrington Flood Refugees Flee to Toroa

Posted 5:36pm Saturday 26th July 2025 by Hugh Askerud

Carrington residents of Dawson House spent last week in Toroa College after a flooding incident which saw two floors of the building seeped in sewage. The University confirmed to Critic that the culprit flushed paper towels down a toilet, soiling fourteen freshers’ rooms. In other news, Toroa Read more...

Freshers Unhappy with Halls’ New Allergen Management

Posted 5:34pm Saturday 26th July 2025 by Ali G.

Following an allergen mishap at Te Rangihīroa, the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) has launched an investigation into halls’ food allergen management procedures. All colleges have now rejigged their allergen management systems, which some say are for the better, and others say for Read more...

Campus Endures 269 Days of Cheesing

Posted 5:13pm Saturday 19th July 2025 by Harry Almey

It was the 11th of October 2024. The Uni’s Te Korokoro O Te Tūī performing arts studio sat basking in the spring sunshine. But on this mundane Friday at 4:52pm, a slice of cheese was photographed on a window, just above the entrance. Almost a year later, the cheese slice that had Read more...

OUSA Exec Gives Birth to Student Charter

Posted 4:53pm Saturday 19th July 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

OUSA’s proposed Student Charter was finally approved at last week’s Exec meeting, birthing it into the wonderful world of policy and bureaucracy. The charter outlines key issues and priorities that students are facing in Dunedin – unfortunately lowering the price of butter did not Read more...

The Rise and Fall of the Green Solo

Posted 4:48pm Saturday 19th July 2025 by Zoe Eckhoff

Ah the kakariki takitahi, a force that once breathed minty nicotine into the lungs of breathas and sheathas alike. But no more, for its reign hath come to a halt. Before the eve of June 17th there was a time when you couldn’t walk down George Street on a Saturday night without seeing the Read more...

Breaking News: You Might Be on Meth and Not Even Know It

Posted 4:47pm Saturday 19th July 2025 by Molly Smith-Soppet

If you felt like O-Week hit harder this year, it wasn't just the hangxiety talking. We felt the same, so we’ve done it again; we hit up the Police to analyse everyone’s piss, and fuck you had a good O-Week! There was a dramatic surge in MDMA consumption across Dunedin during February Read more...

Critical Tribune: University of Otago Reveals Rainbet Sponsorship

Posted 4:18pm Saturday 19th July 2025 by Anderson Coomer

A University of Otago spokesperson, operating under the Instagram handle UoOslaps, has revealed a controversial new partnership with offshore gambling platform Rainbet.  In an Instagram Reel featuring a desk littered with paperwork, a leaked law exam, and printouts of boomer complaints from Read more...

Critic Census Reveals Students’ Opinion on Uni’s Institutionally Neutral Stance

Posted 2:44pm Monday 14th July 2025 by Nina Brown

The University issued a statement on institutional neutrality on May 8th in response to mounting pressure to have a political stance on the genocide in Palestine. Shortly afterward, Critic Te Ārohi ran its fifth annual census, published on May 13th, including the question: “Do you think Read more...

Students Swarm the Beehive: Youth Parliament Debriefed

Posted 1:01pm Monday 14th July 2025 by Jonathan McCabe

Youth Parliament provides a socially acceptable setting for rangatahi to yell at a room full of important people. The biggest news story to come from Youth Parliament were the accusations of censoring the youth voice, levied against the Ministry of Youth Development (MYD). Critic Te Ārohi had a Read more...

(OUSA) Greening Out: Second Quarter Reports Summarised

Posted 12:59pm Monday 14th July 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

Two quarters (for non math majors: half) of a year in, it’s been hectic for the OUSA Executive. They’ve been no strangers to Critic Te Ārohi’s headlines, with a referendum, BDS postures and questions of Political Rep Jett’s conflict of interest making appearances – Read more...

Law Exam Leak Labelled “Crippling”

Posted 12:51pm Monday 14th July 2025 by Sam Smith-Soppet

On the morning of Friday June 6, Law students had been gearing up for one of their biggest exams of Semester One, LAWS407 Company Law. A couple of hours before the exam, however, they received an email from the University advising that following a breach of academic conduct, they’d been forced Read more...

Campus Banksy Calls Out ‘Old Boys' Club’ Exec

Posted 12:46pm Tuesday 17th June 2025 by Nina Brown

In the wake of news that Political Rep Jett Groshinski will be running for council and continuing in his role despite a conflict of interest, anti-OUSA Exec propaganda posters have popped up on notice boards around campus calling for Jett to resign. As of writing, Jett tells Critic he has no plans Read more...

Council-Gunning Political Rep’s Conflict of Interest

Posted 3:50pm Tuesday 3rd June 2025 by Nina Brown

With a cheesy ODT photoshoot and a big wide grin, on Wednesday, May 21st OUSA’s Political Representative Jett Groshinski announced his Labour-endorsed bid to stand for Local Body Elections (LBE). Over the course of two (rather tense) Exec meetings, they have collectively decided on a conflict Read more...

Online Gambling Platform Illegally Promotes Through Students

Posted 5:54pm Sunday 25th May 2025 by Sam Smith-Soppet

Online gambling monolith, Rainbet, has come into the spotlight for their advertising strategy in New Zealand, dishing out the cash for Gen Z influencers to promote gambling to their peers – some right here in Dunedin. The catch: it’s not exactly legal. Rainbet has been using student Read more...

Campus Creeps (and what to do about them)

Posted 5:52pm Sunday 25th May 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

A student has approached Critic Te Ārohi with an uncomfortable situation that took place in the Staff Club café, involving a “creepy” encounter with an older man who could not take a hint.  Anita* originally reached out to Critic with a letter to the Editor after an Read more...

Rachel Brooking’s Stance for Students

Posted 5:29pm Sunday 25th May 2025 by Hanna Varrs

Politics are at the forefront of people’s minds in a local body election year – most of all your local politicians, such as Dunedin MP Rachel Brooking. For many students, Dunedin living is a temporary situation, nestled in North D for three years before jetting back to Te Read more...

The Great Cup Snatch: Takeaway Cups Gone from Campus Cafés

Posted 5:23pm Sunday 25th May 2025 by Jonathan McCabe

Uni-owned cafés were rocked by a surprise email on the 7th of May, being served with the ice-cold news that iced drinks could no longer be served in biodegradable plastic takeaway cups. In a huge loss for people who actually go to class, students will no longer be able to carry around their Read more...

Breaking In, Throwing Up

Posted 5:21pm Sunday 25th May 2025 by Molly Smith-Soppet

A Roslyn flat got more than they bargained for on a quiet Friday night when a drunk student broke into their home, took off his shoes, and vomited into a flatmate's hamper – all while apologising profusely. Daniel, a recent PhD grad (yes, Doctor Daniel) had been asleep in bed when he Read more...

Mould-Mapping North D

Posted 4:52pm Sunday 25th May 2025 by Hunter Jolly

Last week, the Tenancy Compliance and Investigation Team (TCIT) did the rounds of North-D flats. The government-run team sieged (door-knocked) flats to check that they are complying with the Residential Tenancies Act 1986. In other words, to check whether students have been slumming it in Read more...

Political (In)Action Committee?

Posted 10:52pm Sunday 18th May 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

Amnesty Youth Otago (AYO) and the Politics Students Association (POLSA) have expressed concern to Critic Te Ārohi over OUSA’s new Political Action Committee (PAC), citing worries about inclusion and representation. PAC is supposedly a committee formed to assist Political Rep Jett Read more...

Marine Science Students Refunded After Unfair Paper Charges Revealed

Posted 10:49pm Sunday 18th May 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

In great news for Mako Mermaid fans-turned-students, MARI403 students have been refunded the $267.89 more they were paying for the exact same paper as ECOL411 students. This comes after Critic reported on the disparity last week, thanks to a tip-off from ECOL411 student and OUSA Academic Rep Stella Read more...

Exec SLASHES 82% of Referendum Questions

Posted 10:43pm Sunday 18th May 2025 by Nina Brown

After begging students to submit questions for the biannual OUSA referendum, the Exec has slashed the final list of 103 questions to just 19. Students will soon be invited to flex their democratic muscles and vote a hearty “yes”, disapproving “no” or an apathetic “I Read more...

The Heavy Breathers Are Back, Baby

Posted 10:40pm Sunday 18th May 2025 by Tilly Rumball-Smith

In 2023, a group of 33 third-year boys, calling themselves the ‘Heavy Breathers’, raised 100k to support men’s mental health. The Breathers ran the Emerson’s Dunedin Marathon, donating their proceeds to mental health charity Spark That Chat. And for 2025, they’re back. Read more...

Capping Show Review: The Good, The Bad, and The Nazi Jokes

Posted 10:38pm Sunday 18th May 2025 by Hanna Varrs, Molly Smith Soppet, Iris Hehir & Ellie Bennett

Warning: Semi-spoilers for Capping Show included.  Critic Te Ārohi braved the rain and headed along to the opening of this year’s Capping Show, dressed to the nines (in our old hall merch – opening night was fresher-themed) and ready for a hilarious night.  The Read more...

The Saltiest Pretzel Stick CONSPIRACY

Posted 10:33pm Sunday 18th May 2025 by Zoe Eckhoff

Ahh the pretzel stick. A delicacy for 5-year-olds with the finest taste. A lunchbox snack that your friends would always ask for a share of. A crispy, salted delight in stick form; it’s genius. Well, if you were looking for another reason to hate capitalism, this is it. The beloved pretzel Read more...

Op-Ed: Otago Community holding Congress to adopt the Otago Declaration on Palestine

Posted 3:38pm Sunday 11th May 2025 by Staff for Palestine

On Thursday 15th May at 12pm staff, students and alumni from the University of Otago community are coming together to adopt a Declaration that supports Palestinian rights and adopts BDS (Boycott, Divest, Sanction). All staff, students and alumni are invited to join us as we come together to stand Read more...

Radio One’s Racket for NZ Music Month

Posted 3:28pm Sunday 11th May 2025 by Hanna Varrs

The month of May is upon us, and as is Music Month across the motu – a time of year that has its roots firmly intertwined with student media. That’s a lot of M’s.  The pioneers of Music Month are our radio stations, which consistently lift the bar in promoting Aotearoa Read more...

A Tale of Twin, Differently Priced Papers

Posted 3:26pm Sunday 11th May 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

It’s a tale of two papers: ECOL411 (Reading Ecology) and MARI403 (Critical Thinking for Environmental Scientists). Both papers are more similar than they may seem at first: same course coordinator, assessments and taught together at the same time, in the same room. So what’s the Read more...

Unattended Pot Teaches Lesson in Fire Safety

Posted 3:24pm Sunday 11th May 2025 by Cailin Williams

Waking up to a group of hot, sweaty men in uniform does not sound like something one might be opposed to, though the high chance of suffocation from smoke inhalation may change your mind. Second-year Dundas-dweller Zara experienced something that can only be found in a plot of a Colleen Hoover book Read more...

Ōtepoti’s Largest Trans-Rights Protest

Posted 3:07pm Sunday 11th May 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

Hundreds gathered in the Octagon on the 3rd of May in a loud, proud, and unrelenting show of solidarity against New Zealand First’s proposed gender definition bill. It was reportedly Ōtepoti’s largest ever trans-rights protest, with rainbow umbrellas against drizzly weather giving a Read more...

Uni To Maintain Institutionally Neutral, Adopt Ethical Policy

Posted 3:04pm Sunday 11th May 2025 by Nina Brown

The long-awaited results of a University working group on institutional neutrality are out. The University of Otago announced last week that they will be accepting the recommendations of the group’s 25 page report to adopt a statement on institutional neutrality (dubbed “vague and Read more...

Amnesty Forum Sparks Urgent Conversations

Posted 3:01pm Sunday 11th May 2025 by Ella Grayson

On April 14, Amnesty Youth Otago hosted a dynamic forum in the Business School – titled “People Power Movement: Youth Criminal Justice and Youth Activism”. The talk drew students, advocates, and change-makers into a discussion on the future of justice and equity. Amnesty Read more...

“Intimidating” and Possibly Haunted Portraits Removed from Med School

Posted 10:14pm Sunday 4th May 2025 by Adam Stitely

The removal of portraits depicting former Obstetrics (the medical speciality of childbirth and postpartum), Gynaecology and Women’s Health Heads of Departments from the Med School has caused rumours to circulate. A little birdy told Critic Te Ārohi that some students had found them Read more...

Ōtepoti Outrage at NZ First “Transphobic” Bill

Posted 10:03pm Sunday 4th May 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

New Zealand First has submitted a members’ bill to the Parliamentarian biscuit tin that would define the meaning of ‘man’ and ‘woman’ to mean “an adult human biological male” and a “adult human biological female” respectively within the Read more...

Rising Stars Team Up With Dunedin Youth Orchestra

Posted 10:00pm Sunday 4th May 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

Three young Dunedinites are set to grace the stage of Ōtepoti’s Town Hall on May 16th, alongside the local legends that are the Dunedin Youth Orchestra. Aptly taking place during New Zealand’s music month, the night will feature two parts – a programme from the Youth Read more...

Spilling The (Bubble) Tea: Why Was Chatime Closed?

Posted 9:58pm Sunday 4th May 2025 by Hanna Varrs

The campus branch of iconic bubble tea vendor ‘Chatime’ is rumoured to have been closed due to the Uni’s disposable cup policy, sparked by a UoO ‘Meaningful Confessions’ Facebook post that alleges the “stupid university sustainability people” won’t Read more...

Student Climate Activist Summoned to Court

Posted 9:37pm Sunday 4th May 2025 by Nina Brown

Many students take advantage of the Easter Break for a Central Otago roadie, an extortionately priced flight home to the Easter bunny (Mum and Dad), or to hole up in the library and catch up on assignments – all noble causes. In a more bespoke use of their break, a handful of Otago students Read more...

Poppa’s Pizza Turns 50

Posted 9:35pm Sunday 4th May 2025 by Stella Weston

Established in 1975 and born to an ex-Scarfie duo originally from Italy, Poppa’s Pizza is New Zealand’s oldest pizzeria at 50 years old – and for good reason. Critic Te Ārohi sat at the feet of the grandaddy pizzeria for a history lesson. It was two students who originally Read more...

Execrable: Another “Robust” Meeting

Posted 9:33pm Sunday 4th May 2025 by Nina Brown

It seems the Easter Break was well-needed for the OUSA Exec, who showed up to their first meeting back looking a bit sleepy – except for the golden labrador, Bailey, who enthusiastically chewed his squeaky toy the whole time. President Liam had worked throughout the break, something he Read more...

Opinion: The OUSA Referendum Has Been Very Poorly Advertised

Posted 10:32pm Sunday 27th April 2025 by Hanna Varrs

Hear ye, hear ye! OUSA referendum question submissions are open and will close on the 2nd of May. That’s really fucking soon – so whip out your thinking caps and email Vice-Pres Amy Martin (adminvp@ousa.org.nz) with all the questions you can think of!  Want a student bar? Shall Read more...

OSJP Rally For Palestine (Again)

Posted 10:30pm Sunday 27th April 2025 by Hanna Varrs

Otago Students for Justice in Palestine (OSJP) held another rally for Palestine on Otago University campus on April 16th*. Speeches were given by Neave, an organiser for OSJP, and Brandon Johnstone, a member of Staff for Palestine. The group proceeded to march around the Uni, chanting for their Read more...

Return Of The Weka

Posted 9:54pm Sunday 27th April 2025 by Zoe Eckhoff

Flightless, small, curious, and feisty. You may think we’re describing your most recent Tinder date, but Critic is actually describing an endemic bird: the weka. While weka are likely not fond of a candlelit steak dinner (they prefer the most critical piece of metal you bring along camping, Read more...

Opinion: The Mid-semester Conspiracy That The Clocktower Doesn’t Want You To Know About

Posted 9:50pm Sunday 27th April 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

It’s a tale as old as time (or 1869 at least): slumped in a chair in your first lecture post mid-semester break, you see your UC mate’s story. There he is, week two into his three-week break, cracking a beer or doing whatever tragic standard ‘fun’ is for an engineer. Our Read more...

A Marathon Effort for Mental Health

Posted 9:47pm Sunday 27th April 2025 by Stella Weston

Content warning: Mention of suicide Scott Casey-Woolridge (“Scoot” as he’s known by friends) is a fifth-year Otago student who’s planning an utterly insane physical feat for Matariki weekend to raise money for the I Am Hope Foundation. I Am Hope focuses on mental health, Read more...

Voyagers Roll Red Carpet for Critic Alumni

Posted 9:43pm Sunday 27th April 2025 by Nina Brown

Two former Critic Te Ārohi editors have been named as finalists for the 2025 Voyager Media Awards: Joel MacManus (2018) and Fox Meyer (2022-2023). Both now based in the Beehive’s Press Gallery and working for The Spinoff and Newsroom respectively, the pair credit Critic Te Ārohi for Read more...

Yep, Someone Actually Read Them: OUSA Exec’s First Quarterly Reports

Posted 12:15am Monday 14th April 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

It’s that time of year when Critic gets its hands on the coveted quarterly reports of our OUSA overlords. Rumour has it these are just as sought-after as a copy of Sunrise on the Reaping. Our Exec members get paid by honorarium, meaning they have to provide proof they’ve done stuff to Read more...

Sustainability Office: Tetra Pak Recycling and Prizes for Sticking Around for the Mid-Sem

Posted 11:56pm Sunday 13th April 2025 by Hanna Varrs

The nature-loving students at the helm of the University of Otago’s Sustainability Office have announced a range of projects to keep campus clean and green. Critic Te Ārohi sat down with tētēkura (student leads) for a fantastic yap about waste management (subverting the rubbish Read more...

Stopping Starters

Posted 11:52pm Sunday 13th April 2025 by Connor Moffat

‘Twas a sad day for the OGs of Dunedin on April 2nd when iconic student watering hole Starters Bar was demolished. An excavator took to the walls of the pre-loved pub, tearing it limb from limb. Many past Starters enthusiasts looked on, commiserating over shared memories from the former, and Read more...

Facebook Marketplace Reselling on the Rise

Posted 11:49pm Sunday 13th April 2025 by Ben Friend

Among Dunedin's students, there is a common interest: the desire to acquire stuff, or to get rid of stuff. The primary tool used in this pursuit is the Wild West of TradeMe: Facebook Marketplace. With fewer barriers in making a listing, no fees, and an overall freer second-hand market, Read more...

ACT Drafts Bill to Axe Race-Based Uni Support Services

Posted 11:04pm Sunday 13th April 2025 by Jodie Evans

An ACT Party member’s bill has been drafted to “ensure universities do not allocate resources, benefits, or opportunities based on race.” ACT claims the “race-neutral” bill advocates for “fair access to opportunities” through proposed amendments to the Read more...

Abuser’s Art Ousted from Campus

Posted 11:01pm Sunday 13th April 2025 by Adam Stitely

Content Warning: Contains details of child sexual abuse.  The artwork of historic abuser John Middleditch was removed from Otago University campus on Friday, April 4th. The decision was made by Registrar Dr David Clark, advised by a six-person panel – including University staff, Read more...

Southern Events in for a Hyding

Posted 10:58pm Sunday 13th April 2025 by Hanna Varrs

Disclaimer: Staff writer Zoe Eckhoff is a band member of Ammonita, who were interviewed for this news article. OUSA’s annual Hyde Street Party on April 5th left its typical trail of Look Sharp costumes, crumpled cans, smiley face baggies, and students happily tired from six hours of boogie Read more...

ISSUES! 100 years of Critic Opens in Central Library

Posted 10:19pm Sunday 6th April 2025 by Stella Weston

Not sure if anyone has mentioned it yet, but Critic Te Ārohi is 100 years old as of this April! To celebrate, the Otago University’s Special Collections and the Hocken Library have opened a new exhibit paying tribute to the centenary. ISSUES! 100 years of Critic is open now in the deBeer Read more...

Opinion: The Government Hates Critic

Posted 9:28pm Sunday 6th April 2025 by Nina Brown

The Crown has spat on Critic’s 100th birthday by rejecting our application for a letter from the King and refusing to wish the geriatric magazine a happy birthday. This time, crying on our birthday had a legit reason. The first blow came from the King himself. Well, by proxy through the Read more...

‘Anti-Social’ Zoo In The Spotlight

Posted 10:32pm Sunday 23rd March 2025 by Hanna Varrs

The Highlanders’ second home game of the season on March 14th against the Hurricanes was soured by reports of anti-social behaviour from the Zoo and a distastefully misogynistic ‘Zoo Uncaged’ social media post. A Highlanders’ spokesperson said it’s not on, Read more...

Chippy Talks Politics Over a Guiness

Posted 10:28pm Sunday 23rd March 2025 by Ella Grayson

Teasing the chance to have a yarn with big ticket item Chris Hipkins, the Labour Party and Young Labour Party hosted an open to all, town-hall-esque kōrero at The Bog. “Ngā Reo Rangatahi, The Voice of the Young People” was organised on Wednesday 19th of March, shortly after The Read more...

Academic Rep in Firm Opposition to 15-Point Paper Proposal

Posted 10:24pm Sunday 23rd March 2025 by Hanna Varrs

A working group is set to discuss the possibility of changing undergraduate papers from 18 to 15 points (as well as semester weeks). The group includes senior University staff, several academics from different divisions, and Academic Rep Stella Lynch. They’re set to meet on March 31st and Read more...

The Critic Centenary Book Is a Go

Posted 9:53pm Sunday 23rd March 2025 by Nina Brown

Disclaimer: Critic’s reporting on themselves again. Critic Te Ārohi’s very own Iris Hehir hung up her Features Editor and Law student boots last week, signing a contract to commit to a full-time position as the Editor-in-Chief of Critic’s centenary book. The elevator pitch: Read more...

StudyLink Lag Leaves Students In Limbo

Posted 9:11pm Sunday 23rd March 2025 by Molly Smith-Soppet

Students all around Aotearoa have been facing some extra financial hardship over the last few weeks, with many failing to receive their expected StudyLink payments or living costs payments. With day-to-day costs already a pressing concern for students, delays in financial assistance have left many Read more...