Response to JK Rowling Concerns
Thank you for raising your concerns about our choice of theme for this year’s Law Revue, Harry Potter. We completely agree with your criticism of JK Rowling, she's a dick!
The content of the show is critical of her views, and she is appropriately called out for them. Law Revue remains a safe, welcoming and enjoyable evening for everyone, so come along and see the show this week.
- Law Revue Directors
Kia ora Critic,
I have left the OUSA Leaders Debate feeling completely hopeless at the state of NZ politics. Not only did the politicians behave like literal children, yelling and talking over each other, but it was so poorly mediated. The questions put to the politicians were solely concerned with issues like student loans, student debt, and winter energy payments, as if students are not capable of forming an opinion about any wider political issue that doesn't directly impact them. This is patronizing and encourages the kind of selfish "what's in it for me" voting that plagues our democracy.
The way the debate was run was unfair and completely impartial, the soundboard use was funny for 2 seconds but after that it was disrespectful. The air time given to each panellist was not at all fair - Chloe was given a free reign to speak for however long she wanted while others were cut off. Shanan Halbert constantly spoke over the top of others and called NZF a "bunch of cookers" repeatedly. Additionally, for some of the quick fire questions, when panellists asked for clarification about what a question meant, the moderators were unable to explain. For question time, it seemed those running the debate merely gave their friends an opportunity to speak.
Calling it a debate is simply false advertising, it was the OUSA exec airing their grievances about student specific policies and putting government parties on trial. To be clear, I have no problem with asking tough and targeted questions, but they need to be directed to all parties. It has truly left with a deep feeling of hopelessness about our democracy - of course this primarily falls on the politicians but the way the debate was run cannot be allowed to happen again. I really hope the Critic will write an article critiquing the event.
Editor’s Response: I hear you. You have some great points. In terms of questions, I think there was good diversity – I heard about move on orders, climate change, AI regulation. The soundboard to me was like a bell curve – funny at first, then not funny, then funny again. Once politicians started yelling at each other the soundboard was the least of my worries. In terms of impartiality, I kinda agree – as much as I love Chlöe, she wasn’t cut off nearly as much as others. I’m on the fence about the “cooker” thing – NZF say cooked shit. I also think that tough questions were asked of most parties: I would’ve liked to have had the Greens and Te Pāti Māori grilled a little more. I think overall though, this was a debate hosted by a student executive and pushed over the line by a bunch of young and fierce advocates that I truly believe we are lucky to have. The OUSA Exec fought tooth and nail to get leaders to show up for students. If anything, the fact that it was such a circus inspired me to think even more carefully about who I vote for.
dear critic,
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! i am loving the feature of this week's mag. really takes me back to my ao3 days, but with both a more polished and new zealandy feel. also loving the unique magic system and character designs.
except i feel as though ive been chucked off the proverbial cliff at the ending of the story. it didnt even leave me hanging... now im just left hoping ill be caught and saved... by a part two...? next week?? blink blink
yours,
a faithful critic reader
Editor’s Response: No part two, sorry! At least for this issue. Trion and Raen may make an appearance sometime next year… Potentially for the next Fairytale issue.
A hex on the ODT!
Nothing suspicious reported here so far, although I did discover the washing machine at my house didn't work this morning due to being full of lint.
So, you never can be too careful...
Keep up the good work
Matthew
Editor’s Response: I don’t think Matthew (reporter at the ODT who does a lot of campus reporting) intended this to be a letter that I put in the mag, but I am going to do it anyway because it's so funny. I will take this as proof that last week’s curse worked.
* Clears throat and prepares to narrate as David Attenborough *
Once upon a time, a very long, long time ago (4 mins ago) I walked into Central and picked up a copy of this week's Critic each for the wife and I (we're unmarried but very lesbian). I just wanted to say that the illustrations on the cover by Eleanor Walker, the centrefold by Stella Caulton, and pages 18-25 by Gemma Mckinney are beautiful. Every time I see Gemma's work in the Critic, it gives me a kind of fairytale vibe- I love her colour scheme. Her style is so well suited to this week's issue. Thank you for your services to my eyes, Gemma, they welcome the break from my harrowing Genetics degree [heartbreak emoji]. Critic, I hope you are paying your illustrators well.
That's all, thank you!
½ of Rawbury Erinabeth
Gemma’s Response: Aww! Thank you so much. We all put absolutely everything into this issue, it’s incredibly sweet to hear how much you loved our work. Special thanks is definitely due to Stella for making all of the design magic happen behind the scenes, especially with that feature! I couldn’t have done it without her <3
Dear Critic,
I'm new to Dunedin and have just finished reading your last two issues. I’m really impressed by how cool you’ve created it.
The „Fish and Chips Review“ in the mid-July issue was great fun and our flat has now started a weekly fish and chips dinner to test all the takeaways. I also love the magazine's design (the illustrated double-page in the middle of the magazine is really cool). And I think many student magazines could learn from what you're doing.
I also enjoyed the U-Bar cleaner story, so please feel free to share more bts-stories from university. I'm looking forward to reading future issues:D
Liv
Good morning esteemed editor of the critic and co.,
I would like to extend a quick thank you in regards to the party issue (Aug 3rd). As an international student, I have traded the luxury of a comfortable social life with established friends for the adventure of a lifetime - new country, new people, etc. As you can imagine, every weekend is spent trying to expand my social circle, and the standard routines of introductions and social activities have become monotonous quite quickly. When I read this issue of the Critic, I felt like you were speaking right to me. The party game rulebook was most helpful, although I do think it would be cool to mix it up and get some more unique games in there next edition (I'm thinking along the lines of cheers to the governor). I played the For the Girls game at a pre this weekend, and the reviews were solid. I really appreciate the info on prices in the bars with activities section - going out is all fun and games till you break the bank. I haven't used a line from 40 ways to start a conversation yet, but I did have a good laugh reading through the list and will be trying out a few at the next bar function.
Anyway, all this to say thanks for another great issue, and keep up the good work!
Nora from the US
Editor’s Response: That’s what I love to hear. Thanks heaps Nora :)
Kia ora,
I'm a student with MFCO220. We have been tasked with asking a question of the critic. I recently read Critic’s article suggesting games for students to play at pubs and bars, and it made me curious about whether pub culture is becoming more popular among Otago students again.
Among my peers, I’ve noticed that more students seem willing to spend a little extra to socialise at a pub rather than buy a box of drinks and stay at the flat. Has Critic noticed this becoming a broader trend among students? I’d be interested to know whether you have covered—or would consider covering—the apparent return of pubs as student social spaces.
Ngā mihi
Editor’s Response: Lovely to hear from MFCO – shoutout to Olivier. I am not the spokeswoman for student culture, but our census results would tell you that around 54% of students said that flat parties were the best night out, with around 30% of students saying either bars or clubs were their choice collectively. I also think you could be noticing that as you’re getting further into your degree, people are keen to get out of the flat instead of stay home – I think ditching binge drinking in the living room comes with age.