Rock The Vote Reviewed

Posted 1:18pm Saturday 10th October 2026

DISCLAIMER* Critic Te Ārohi sent their hungover designer with no writing experience to document the day. All the writers were more hungover.  On October 3rd, a random street in the industrial area of Ōtepoti was taken over by young musos, politicians, a voting booth, food trucks, a Read more...

Editorial: The Twenty-Sixth Time

Posted 12:34pm Saturday 10th October 2026

Where to begin.  Writing this feels surreal. This year, I’ve dreaded Thursdays (the day we print) twenty-five times. I’ve wondered if I could do it twenty-five times. I haven’t felt like I’ve done a good enough job twenty-five times. I have built and let go of Read more...

“Attack Ads” Instagram Account Targets OUSA Exec Presidential Candidates

Posted 12:20pm Sunday 4th October 2026

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...

Editorial: What’s Up, Love?

Posted 11:58am Sunday 4th October 2026

Welcome to the Love Issue! In this edition, you’ll find a double love feature, double love in culture, and a double Moaningful Confessions. Don’t say we don’t love you.  This issue was pretty spontaneous, but I think it’s well-timed. It’s the second to last Read more...

Cheating or Chatting? Exploring AI Chatbot Infidelity In Relationships

Posted 11:53am Sunday 4th October 2026

I love the Internet. I was practically born and raised on it, and as someone who moved around a fair amount as a kid, I often relied on it to maintain my relationships with friends who lived in different cities. My social life was Instagram group chats with people that I would never meet in person, Read more...

Editorial: The Crawl To The Finish Line

Posted 3:39pm Saturday 26th September 2026

Last Wednesday, I was on the phone with my best friend, Grace.  For avid Critic nerds, Grace was the main creator of the For The Girls game included in the centrefold of the Party Issue. Nowadays, I’m sad to say that we don’t find nearly enough time to talk with busy schedules Read more...

Explainer: DCC Proposes Changes To Local Alcohol Policy

Posted 12:05pm Sunday 20th September 2026

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...

Editorial: Enrol To Vote By The 25th of October

Posted 11:50am Sunday 20th September 2026

This issue has turned out to be pretty politics heavy, and I’m pleased about it. Politics should be at the forefront of everyone’s minds right now, and I wouldn’t be doing my due diligence if I didn’t scream at everyone to enrol to vote. As you’ll see on the cover, Read more...

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

Posted 10:36am Monday 14th September 2026

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...

Benedict Ong To Be Trespassed From All OUSA Premises

Posted 11:59am Sunday 6th September 2026

According to a statement provided to Critic Te Ārohi from President Daniel Leamy, the Otago University Students’ Association (OUSA) plans to trespass Dunedin Councillor Benedict Ong from “all OUSA premises” following reports from students alleging “inappropriate and Read more...