Archive

“Attack Ads” Instagram Account Targets OUSA Exec Presidential Candidates

Posted 12:20pm Sunday 4th October 2026 by Hanna Varrs

Some Background Last Saturday, an Instagram account going by @bigmoneystudent took a hit at presidential candidate Troy Gibbons, labelling him a “National Party jack-up”. Shortly after, the account targeted candidate Rosie Cruickshank, labelling her “radically liberal” and Read more...

Laps for the Lads

Posted 12:16pm Sunday 4th October 2026 by Bella Bates

The country’s largest student-run university event, Run72, is making its Dunedin debut on Friday October 9th. As the name suggests, it involves running. But this time it's about more than flexing on Strava, with the event raising awareness and funds for men’s mental health. Read more...

Troy Gibbons Elected As 2027 OUSA President

Posted 12:03pm Sunday 4th October 2026 by Gryffin Blockley

Another contentious, and occasionally chaotic, OUSA Executive Election rounded off last Thursday. A crowded Main Common Room was read out to hear the results drop after two weeks of campaigning, and four days of voting. Cutting through all the gristle, Troy Gibbons won the headline battle of the Read more...

Sports, Service, and Clubs Honoured at Otago Blues and Golds Awards

Posted 12:00pm Sunday 4th October 2026 by Gryffin Blockley

The annual Blues and Golds awards were held last week, honouring some of our fellow students doing great things in the sporting and cultural spheres. A joint event held between OUSA and the University saw the Business School decked out to the nines for the awards ceremony. Here’s what some Read more...

From Pandas To Parliament

Posted 2:22pm Sunday 27th September 2026 by Bella Bates

Critic Te Ārohi recently sat down with Opportunity’s Wellington Bays candidate, Kayla Kingdon-Bebb. Alongside contesting the Wellington Bays electorate, she serves as Opportunity’s spokesperson for climate change, conservation, the environment, oceans and fisheries. This is your go Read more...

ODA opens the gates to Willy Wonka’s factory

Posted 2:21pm Sunday 27th September 2026 by Molly Smith-Soppet

For two nights only, the College Auditorium is becoming Willy Wonka’s factory – minus the workplace violations.  The Otago Dance Association (ODA) is bringing Charlie and The Chocolate Factory to life on October 2nd and 3rd, with over 100 dancers storming the stage to perform Read more...

$5 Lunch Hijacked by OUSA Executive Election Forums

Posted 2:20pm Sunday 27th September 2026 by Harry Almey, Stella Weston & Gryffin Blockley

$5 lunch was overrun last week with three days of lunchtime forums to give students a chance to dissect the policies and promises of the 25 candidates running for the ten OUSA Executive positions for 2027. To save you from over six hours of forums, here is our three-page summary of the 12,000 words Read more...

Critic’s Fat Chat With Flatchat

Posted 2:14pm Sunday 27th September 2026 by Stella Weston

Ōtepoti students have undoubtedly had their fair share of flatting horror stories. However, Otago graduate Ryan Cole is here to help lessen that with Flatchat. Boasting “honest flat reviews from real NZ tenants”, this platform is designed to increase visibility around the Aotearoa Read more...

Pharm Revue Is Back, Baby!

Posted 7:49pm Sunday 20th September 2026 by Harry Almey

Ladies and gentlemen, bogans and breathas – Pharm Revue is back! Pharmacy Revue had been dead to the world since 2018, and attempts to revive it were thrown off by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. But last year, the Pharma Mia! script was dusted off, updated, and put on for a super stoked Read more...

Paul Henry Unlocked! But Unappreciated?

Posted 7:44pm Sunday 20th September 2026 by Saraia Allais

Last Thursday, Paul Henry brought his “Paul Henry Unlocked” tour to Dunedin’s Town Hall, pitching an aspirational and equal New Zealand with a strong ACT vote. Paul, a former broadcaster turned ACT candidate, opened his speech straight to the point. “Party vote Read more...

Berry Complicated, But Berry Good

Posted 6:53pm Sunday 20th September 2026 by Andrea Austin

In celebration of the club’s 20th year of association, the Indian Students Association’s (ISA) 2026 Cultural Showcase, Berry Complicated, brought together nostalgia, iconic references, and cultural performances to create a memorable celebration of community and connection.  One Read more...

Mananui Ramsden Talks Māori Issues

Posted 6:46pm Sunday 20th September 2026 by Te Awhirēinga Heperi

Come November 7th, South Island voters on the Māori roll (and Wellington) will vote for their MP to represent Te Tai Tonga, Aotearoa’s largest electorate. Critic Te Ārohi sat down with Mananui Ramsden, the labour candidate eyeing up the seat this election cycle.    In Read more...

Local Produce: the pink opaque

Posted 12:08pm Sunday 20th September 2026 by Mack Hughes

Crushingly loud and with a sparkling intensity, the pink opaque (all lowercase – it’s intentional) is one of Ōtepoti’s most sonically lush bands – their swirling guitars and blown out layers of fuzz a force to behold live. Critic Te Ārohi met with Kim (she/her), Read more...

Explainer: DCC Proposes Changes To Local Alcohol Policy

Posted 12:05pm Sunday 20th September 2026 by Flynn Nisbett

After years of research and surveys, Dunedin still has a drinking problem. Who would’ve  thought? But never fear, the DCC are here. The Dunedin City Council has just put forward its draft changes to the Local Alcohol Policy (LAP) for feedback from the public. That’s Read more...

Your 2026 OUSA Executive Candidates

Posted 12:04pm Sunday 20th September 2026 by Critic

NOTE: These are uncensored, unfiltered and unedited blurbs straight from the horses’ mouth(s). All blurbs apart from President were capped at 100 words, so some are cut off. If candidates do not have a picture alongside their blurb, that is because they missed the photo window with us from Read more...

A Chat With (And Celebration Of) Otago’s Y25 Changemakers

Posted 10:36am Monday 14th September 2026 by Hanna Varrs

Now in its seventh year, twenty-five changemakers gathered at a launch gala in Tāmaki Makaurau on the 21st of August. And, because Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka is the best of the best, five of those changemakers hailed from Otago. Critic Te Ārohi was lucky enough to reflect on the Read more...

The Green Party's Pitch to Māori Students

Posted 6:44am Monday 14th September 2026 by Te Awhirēinga Heperi

Otago students registered on the Māori roll will elect the MP for Te Tai Tonga at the November 7th election. This MP will represent the whole South Island, plus the city of Wellington, in Parliament. After a six-year hiatus, the Green Party is back in the rohe, and are running a candidate in Te Read more...

EXPLAINER: University Proposes Changes to Senior Leadership Team

Posted 12:38pm Sunday 13th September 2026 by Gryffin Blockley

An anonymous source sent Critic Te Ārohi the proposed changes to the University’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT). Sparing students through trawling through pages of bureaucracy, here’s a summary of these changes, and what it means for your University experience. These changes were Read more...

Couldn’t Get It Up: SGM For Changes to Exec Roles Fails To Meet Quorum

Posted 12:36pm Sunday 13th September 2026 by Harry Almey

Last Wednesday at 12pm, a Student General Meeting was held to consider a new roster of OUSA Executive roles. Except it technically wasn't held. To change the constitution, the meeting needed 112 (around 0.5% of the student body) to show up. A solid 80 did. Imagine having to watch your friend Read more...

TLDR: Issue 22 2026

Posted 12:35pm Sunday 13th September 2026 by Critic

We're excited to announce that the 2026 Geology Ball will be held on Friday the 18th of September in the Moa Room at the Dunedin Railway Station! Mark your calendars and get ready for a fantastic night of great food, music, and celebrating with fellow geology students and staff. Tickets are on Read more...