Archive

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...

Critic’s ‘Cigarette Butt’ Cover’s LJ Hooker Feature

Posted 9:02pm Sunday 23rd March 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

A former Frederick Street flattie has let Critic Te Ārohi in on an inside secret. The scoop? LJ Hooker’s ad for their former flat is giving Critic free advertising. It began as the historic student tradition of plastering Critic covers on their flat wall. Jessie described the collaging Read more...

Daddy Grant Debuts Annual Arts Lecture

Posted 6:18pm Sunday 16th March 2025 by Gryffin Blockley

The Uni debuted its (slightly tongue-twisting) inaugural annual School of Arts lecture last week, themed around ‘What did the arts student say to the future?’ Hosted by Otago’s most well-known BA graduate, the Vice Chancellor Honorable Grant Robertson himself, the lecture included Read more...

Market Day Moolah-Making

Posted 6:16pm Sunday 16th March 2025 by Harry Almey

Radio One Market Days are soon to make a return*, the collection of random stalls you see crop up every so often by Union Lawn or the Link if it’s grotty weather. Calm yourself and slow that naughty racing heart of yours – the upcoming Market Day on Wednesday, March 26 Read more...

Fringe Festival’s 25th Opening Night: Cake, Comedy and Pass the Parcel

Posted 6:05pm Sunday 16th March 2025 by Isabella Simoni

The time has finally come for Dunedin Fringe 2025, and what an exciting time it is! Last Wednesday marked the opening night when lovers of the arts, old and new, gathered to celebrate the festival’s 25th birthday – and it came with the to-be-expected bells and whistles that would make Read more...

Otago University Introduces New Disability Action Plan

Posted 6:02pm Sunday 16th March 2025 by Stella Weston

As of 2023, 1 in 10 students at Otago University declared that they had a disability impacting their ability to study. This number has only increased over time, but Te Kokeka Whakamua – the University’s new disability action plan for 2024-2027 – aims to make things easier for these Read more...

UniPol’s New Rearrangement

Posted 5:37pm Sunday 16th March 2025 by Nina Brown

The latest era of UniPol’s constant mode of self-improvement copped the gym some flack on students’ favourite complaint hub: UoO Meaningful Confessions Facebook page. “Wtf have unipol done” read the title of a post on March 3rd. The anonymous poster reckoned UniPol has ruined Read more...

Otago Academic Experts Say ‘Gaza – Yes it is genocide’

Posted 5:32pm Sunday 16th March 2025 by Nina Brown

‘Gaza – Yes it is genocide, and yes, it really matters’. That was the title of a seminar held in Archway 1 at midday last Wednesday, hosted by Professors Robert Patman and Richard Jackson, and Dr Rula Talahma. Each spoke to their personal expertise and experiences to unpick the Read more...

Execrable: Fishy Constitutions and Fish of the Year

Posted 5:14pm Sunday 16th March 2025 by Nina Brown

The Exec meeting last week didn’t bring the same level of drama as the week prior. They managed to stay out of confidential committee for the duration of the meeting, which unfortunately meant Critic Te Ārohi had to take notes the whole time – admittedly zoning out during the 20 Read more...

Breatha Exiled from Castle St Flat After Admitting, “I don’t fuck with DnB that much bro.”

Posted 4:44pm Sunday 16th March 2025 by Anderson Coomer

Alex, a second-year student, formerly known by his peers as ‘Fridge’ has been reduced to being known as ‘Champ’ in a turn of events that resulted in his tenancy being informally terminated at his Castle St flat. This follows a shocking admission, whereby Alex firmly stood Read more...

Barnyard Boogie in the Botans

Posted 11:43pm Sunday 9th March 2025 by Stella Weston

The combination of flowing skirts and local band Frivolry made for an “afternoon of dancing, fun, and queer joy” to kick off Pride Month the first weekend of March. Organised by Dunedin Pride, the traditional Scottish and Irish folk band played a Ceilidh (a Celtic barn dance, pronounced Read more...

Te Rōpū Māori SGM: $100k from VC, Āpiha Hauora and Ahurea roles filled

Posted 11:32pm Sunday 9th March 2025 by Hanna Varrs

Te Rōpū Maori (TRM) have successfully filled their Āpiha Hauora (Wellbeing and Recreation Officer) and Āpiha Ahurea (Cultural Officer) at their most recent special general meeting (SGM). The VC has also committed to a $100k grant, allowing the Te Rito exec to be Read more...

Exec Submit Against Treaty Principles Bill

Posted 11:30pm Sunday 9th March 2025 by Hanna Varrs

The OUSA Exec has submitted in opposition to the controversial Treaty Principles Bill. On Thursday, February 27th, President Liam and Politics Rep Jett presented an oral submission to the Justice Committee based on the written submission Liam hastily penned in January on behalf of the wider Read more...

Student Job Search: “Students in Otago Are More Likely To Secure Work”

Posted 11:27pm Sunday 9th March 2025 by Zoe Eckhoff

There’s a small part in all of us that wishes we could afford a Netflix and a Disney+ subscription. But, as university students, managing a job and our studies (especially full-time) can be a difficult feat. With the total applications through Student Job Search (SJS) increasing by 23% over Read more...

Mr Prez ‘Bribes the Media’ with $1k Centenary Book Pledge

Posted 11:23pm Sunday 9th March 2025 by Nina Brown

Disclaimer: This article was written by said media. In a generous publicity stunt, OUSA President Liam White matched donations towards Critic Te Ārohi’s Centenary book up to $1k last Tuesday, March 4th (payday). The 100-year-old magazine has until March 16th to raise $70k to fund a Read more...

Pint-flation at U-Bar: An Economic Analysis

Posted 11:19pm Sunday 9th March 2025 by peter barclay

Students could once walk into U-Bar’s Wednesday Pint Night with a crisp $20 note, leaving four pints happier and with a shirt as soaked as your poor liver during Flo and O-Week. News of ‘pint-flation’ has spread across campus following the discovery that students’ most Read more...

Wanted: Serial Central Lib Red Wine Slugger

Posted 11:16pm Sunday 9th March 2025 by Cailin Williams

Planning on a bender but don’t know where? Consider the Central Library. A mysterious male individual has been caught not once, not twice, but allegedly on weekly occasions of drinking six to seven bottles of wine in the Central Library over the summer break. However, the University is Read more...

Execrable: The First OUSA Exec Meeting (that Critic attended)

Posted 11:06pm Sunday 9th March 2025 by Nina Brown

The OUSA Exec had their meatiest meeting yet last Wednesday, March 5th – coincidentally the first Critic Te Ārohi was in attendance for. Critic parked up in the corner couches and locked into an hour and a half of aggressive note-taking (first-year-lecture style) and aggressive listening Read more...

BDS Complaint Prompts 30-Minute “Robust” Exec Discussion

Posted 10:52pm Sunday 9th March 2025 by Nina Brown

The OUSA Exec are in the hot seat over OUSA’s Boycott, Divestments and Sanctions (BDS) “posture” against businesses associated with the state of Israel – including Domino’s, who was excluded from Tent City. Two formal student complaints (and one informal complaint from Read more...

Toroa Has Outgrown Its Fresher Pants

Posted 8:08pm Sunday 2nd March 2025 by Jonathan McCabe

Toroa College is putting on its Big Boy Pants this year, transitioning from your typical first-year hall to a self-catered accommodation option for international and domestic postgrads and mature students. There’s only so long a hall can cope with watching 17-year-olds slam two for $40 Read more...

Campus’ Summer Glow-Up

Posted 8:05pm Sunday 2nd March 2025 by Jonathan McCabe

The University campus is like your one friend who actually hit the gym this summer and achieved their long-promised summer glow-up. Auahi Ora, Burns lecture theatres, Arana College, and OUSA’s Clubs and Socs are some of the spaces to receive a much-needed cash injection and a fresh lick of Read more...

The Ghosts of Cumby Past

Posted 8:01pm Sunday 2nd March 2025 by Harry Almey

It all started one fateful O-Week day. At 4:08 am, Cumberland resident Alex sent a message to the college-wide Snapchat which shook the college to its core: “There was a fucking ghost in my room.” Cue Critic. Alex lives on the Classical floor of Cumby. According to him, he woke up Read more...

A Baptism by Spaghetti

Posted 7:52pm Sunday 2nd March 2025 by Stella Weston

Selwyn College’s latest event does nothing to ease their culty reputation, and they wouldn’t have it any other way. One of their most cherished traditions – the Leith Run – took place on the Saturday morning of O-week, bringing together nervous freshers and hungover exies in Read more...

OUSA Exec: Academic Accessibility

Posted 7:27pm Sunday 2nd March 2025 by Stella Lynch

Listen up, academic weapons. Whether you’re part of the furniture here at Otago or brand-spanking new to our beautiful university, you should care about the accessibility of your education. That’s right, we’re talking lecture recordings and paid placements. Let’s start Read more...

Knox Panda-Dove Wins ‘Inflatey 180: The Sequel’

Posted 7:24pm Sunday 2nd March 2025 by Nina Brown

The Zoo was heaving on Saturday, February 22nd, for the famous Inflatey180. The Inflatey180, which is to the Highlanders game what Kendrick Lamar was to the Superbowl, is the half-time entertainment that everyone really went to see. Each hall (except 192 Castle and Carrington) put forward a tribute Read more...

Bouncer by Night, Fake ID Dealer by Day

Posted 7:19pm Sunday 2nd March 2025 by Molly Smith-Soppet

With the new batch of underage freshers, comes a new batch of fake IDs… supplied by a Dunedin security guard who we’ll call McLovin. Multiple sources have told Critic Te Ārohi that McLovin has been charging first-years fiending for a night out upwards of $150 for IDs that had been Read more...

Amnesty Youth Otago Verbally Attacked for Pro-Palestinian Stance at Otago Clubs Day

Posted 6:59pm Sunday 2nd March 2025 by Ella Grayson

Content warning: Mentions of sexual and verbal assault  Members of Amnesty Youth Otago (AYO) were verbally attacked at OUSA’s Clubs Day on Thursday, February 20th. The group’s ‘Stop Israel’s Genocide’ banner attracted hateful and threatening comments by members Read more...

Vaping Students Used in Lieu of Smoke Machine for Ori’

Posted 4:24pm Sunday 2nd March 2025 by Tina Frowns

In lieu of an available smoke machine for Ori’ 2025, OUSA roped in a group of 100 or so students to continually blow vape clouds from either side of the Union Lawn stage. Volunteers (who the Critical Tribune has been assured were fully consenting) were recruited at OUSA’s annual Tent Read more...

Con-Tree-Versy on Union Lawn

Posted 6:38pm Sunday 23rd February 2025 by Jordan Irvine

The con-tree-versial decision to cut down a Japanese cherry blossom tree on Union Lawn to clear the way for Ori’ 2025 was made in December by OUSA management. But it wasn’t without a fight.  OUSA Secretary Donna Jones ran a tree-saving quest in the lead up to its ultimate demise Read more...

Freshers Say Sport was the Real Winner On the Day

Posted 6:20pm Sunday 23rd February 2025 by Adam Stitely

The Inter-College Sports Competition kicked off last Tuesday, February 18th, with  thousands of freshers flocking to Logan Park in what might be the University’s only wholesome O-Week event.  With word that Vice Chancellor Grant Robertson (more affectionately known as Daddy Grant) Read more...

Cozzie Livs on the Brain, Says Exec Poll

Posted 6:17pm Sunday 23rd February 2025 by Nina Brown

The cost of living crisis is at the forefront of the student brain if the OUSA Exec’s Tent City poll is anything to go by. The informal poll asked students what issues were highest on their priority list, with options including housing, a student bar, fresher life, drinking culture, lecture Read more...

Ōtepoti Band ‘IVY’ and Dunedin Youth Orchestra Collab for Epic Gig

Posted 6:15pm Sunday 23rd February 2025 by Hanna Varrs

Pint Night regulars IVY and the Dunedin Youth Orchestra (DYO) are set to hit the stage at Errick’s venue on Friday, March 28 in a first-of-its-kind collab for the groups. Ticket prices are specifically catered to the student budget – a crisp $10 bucks to peep the classically boosted IVY Read more...

Chlöe Hosts Community-Building Panel to “Save Dunedin”

Posted 6:11pm Sunday 23rd February 2025 by Nina Brown

Kicking off the year of local body elections, on the evening of Monday 17th the Greens hit the quarter-full St Dave’s lecture theatre with a motivational community-building hammer for their hui to “Save Dunedin”. The event included a panel of four local leaders and emphatic Read more...

Breaking: Someone’s Dad Spotted at ‘Haunted’ Host

Posted 6:10pm Sunday 23rd February 2025 by Stella Weston

A dad was on Castle Street, and his name is Greg. The self-described “advocate for student life” tagged along with his son Logan to the Gothic-themed ‘Haunted’ night on the Thursday of Flo Week. Critic Te Ārohi got the scoop from the nostalgic construction supervisor in Read more...

BDS-Banned Domino’s Gate Crashes Tent City

Posted 6:06pm Sunday 23rd February 2025 by Hanna Varrs

Domino’s were relegated to the outskirts of Tent City last week as a consequence of OUSA’s internal pro-Palestine Boycott, Divest and Sanctions (BDS) commitment. Denied a tent site, the pizza joint handed out free keychains on the Cumberland Street sidewalk instead. Behind the scenes, Read more...

Uni Council To Raise Fees By 6%

Posted 3:37pm Monday 18th November 2024 by Nina Brown

In a bid to stay financially afloat and prevent further job cuts, the Otago University Council (the bigwigs) have agreed to raise tertiary fees by the maximum amount of 6% for 2025. The motion passed almost unanimously, with one abstention from Madame Prez Keegan Wells, the student rep at the Read more...

Council Proposes Stricter North D Booze Rules

Posted 9:32pm Wednesday 13th November 2024 by Nina Brown

The rules and regulations of drinking in North Dunedin could be set to change under a Local Alcohol Policy (LAP) mandatory review. Proposed changes to the policy could mean earlier closing times for liquor stores, a freeze on more off-licences in North D, and a “yeah, nah” to the iconic Read more...

Inaugural Combined Science Ball a Hit

Posted 7:24pm Sunday 13th October 2024 by Phoebe Lea

The Sciences Ball, expected to be a quiet affair, has left pundits gawking after exploding into something so wild that even Law students were taking notes (but when aren’t they?) Around 300 students rocked up to the Otago University Combined Sciences Ball, with students from OMISA, APSA, Read more...

Protestor Arrested in Campus Palestine Protest

Posted 7:16pm Sunday 13th October 2024 by Nina Brown

The University of Otago’s stance of “institutional neutrality” on Israel’s actions in Palestine has continued to be fiercely criticised by its staff and students. Last Wednesday, October 9th, the Otago Students for Justice in Palestine (OSJP) held a peaceful campus protest Read more...

Outdoor Clubs Unite Against Orgy Accusations

Posted 7:12pm Sunday 13th October 2024 by Hugh Askerud

Following allegations that they’re fronts for orgies, three outdoor Otago clubs have come together to set the record straight. Critic Te Ārohi met with the accused and their chosen champions: OUSSC Prez Peter Barclay, OUTC former treasurer Joel Tebbs, and OUCC Prez Hunter Davidson – Read more...

Dundas Fence Collapse Sparks Feud

Posted 7:09pm Sunday 13th October 2024 by Hanna Varrs

In an incident leaving four flats and their landlords at each other’s throats (or at least slightly more passive aggressive than usual), a large fence in a Dundas Street flatting complex of four has collapsed over their driveway. Or perhaps been pulled down? Given some of the flats are owned Read more...

Kayakers Soar Through Campus Amidst Red-Level Rain Warnings

Posted 7:07pm Sunday 13th October 2024 by Staff Writer

Photo Credit: Bryn Dingemans Two weekends ago, East Otago received more than double October's typical rainfall in just 40 hours, making the Water of Leith a kayaker's playground.  A state of emergency was called on Friday, October 4th. Low lying areas were flooded and all main Read more...

Hatchet-Wielding “Council Worker” Trespassed from Flat

Posted 7:01pm Sunday 13th October 2024 by Sam Smith-Soppet

A man has been trespassed by police from a student flat after masquerading as a DCC employee conducting “welfare checks” on Maitland and Stafford Street on Friday, October 4th. The hatchet (axe) he carried made tenants a bit suspect.  Adorned in his Hi-Vis and a lanyard, the man Read more...

Forth St Flat Flames

Posted 6:52pm Sunday 13th October 2024 by Hugh Askerud

A Forth Street flat complex of six went up in flames on Sunday, October 6th. The fire began in a downstairs flat before smoke made its way through the complex. A total of 18 students were affected by the blaze. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but the fire has meant six students have been relocated to Read more...

OUSA Peddles Ethel Property to Fund Clubs & Socs’ EQ Strengthening

Posted 6:49pm Sunday 13th October 2024 by Nina Brown

OUSA Clubs and Socs, home of the humble $4 lunch and sauna, is booked for earthquake strengthening this summer. Clubs and Socs will be closed during summer, with construction starting after exams finish, hoping to wrap up by O-Week next year. Currently, the building isn’t seismically up to Read more...

Student Arrested in Campus Palestine Protest

Posted 11:46am Thursday 10th October 2024 by Nina Brown

The University of Otago’s stance of “institutional neutrality” on Israel’s actions in Palestine has continued to be fiercely criticised by its staff and students. On Wednesday, October 9th, the Otago Students for Justice in Palestine (OSJP) held a peaceful campus protest that Read more...

Yes, Someone Did Take Their Cat to Central

Posted 7:09pm Sunday 6th October 2024 by Gryffin Blockley

Three million views and 700,000 likes later, Serafina the cat has achieved stardom after rocking up to Central Library (if only it were that easy). A TikTok of the cat hiding in a handbag in Central Library was posted online, and has blown up with numbers Dunedin’s microinfluencer community Read more...

‘What I Was Wearing’ Exhibit Shatters Stigma & Empowers Survivors

Posted 8:11am Sunday 6th October 2024 by Jodie Evans

Student-led sexual harm prevention society, Thursdays in Black, broke down some damaging stereotypes in their powerful ‘What I Was Wearing’ exhibit on Thursday, September 26th. From 10am to 5pm in Union Hall, visitors were invited to read the stories of survivors of sexual harm, Read more...

Selwyn Gastro “Miraculously” Cured 72 Hours Before Ball

Posted 8:07am Sunday 6th October 2024 by Hugh Askerud

Selwyn College has found itself on the other side of a gastro epidemic after approximately 10-40 students contracted the virus over a two week period.  The gastro outbreak got so bad that, according to residents, “you would hear people in the bathroom just chunnying their guts Read more...

Critic Trawls Through Exec’s Third Quarter Reports

Posted 8:05am Sunday 6th October 2024 by Hugh Askerud

Think the OUSA Exec is boring? By the time you read their quarterly reports you’ll probably be thinking, “Yep, it is.” Thankfully, you don’t have to! Instead, read these summaries for all you need to know about the great political machine that keeps the uni experience ticking Read more...

Landlords Sign Flats Under Current Tenants’ Noses

Posted 7:56am Sunday 6th October 2024 by Monica Holopainen

As flat-hunting season draws to a close, multiple reports have emerged of landlords signing their flats to new groups of students without the consent of current tenants. Continuing a sad trend of illegality, the repeated events have forced students who relied on keeping their flats for the new year Read more...

Golf Breathas Raise $5k for Men’s Mental Health

Posted 7:45am Sunday 6th October 2024 by Staff Writer

Six breathas have done some good in the world, raising $5,200 for charity by playing golf. The boys played 72 holes in one day (four full rounds of golf) for ‘Lads Without Labels’, a not-for-profit charity group aimed at improving the state of men’s mental health in New Zealand. Read more...

OUSA Exec Election Results Are In

Posted 7:43am Sunday 6th October 2024 by Hugh Askerud

Democracy has triumphed after a gruelling OUSA Exec election period which saw many candidates lose and many candidates win. Voting closed at 4pm last Thursday. To the usual crowd of current OUSA Exec, nominees, and a handful of Critic staff, returning officer Abby Bowman read out the results – Read more...