NZ Young Writers Fest Takes Over Dunedin

Posted 1:19pm Saturday 10th October 2026

The recent New Zealand Young Writers Festival and associated wānaka was a fabulous success, and although these Critic Te Ārohi writers were both part of this year’s cohort, we promise we aren’t biased. It’s all happening in our very own UNESCO City of Read more...

Everything I Know About Love (Island)

Posted 11:57am Sunday 4th October 2026

Last year, my lecturer referred to Love Island as a “lower pleasure”. I went home from that class and watched the latest episode with my flatmates huddled on the couch, waiting for the free hour of power to kick in. I don’t consider that a lower pleasure. However, putting that Read more...

4 Modern Dating Situations And How To Deal With Them

Posted 11:51am Sunday 4th October 2026

Dating isn’t easy, especially at university. Everything’s changed since our parents were courting each other via carrier pigeon, so we’ve put together some advice applicable to today’s dating scene. This isn’t one-size-fits-all, but it’s a starting point.  Read more...

Critic’s Fat Chat With Flatchat

Posted 2:14pm Sunday 27th September 2026

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...

AI: Amazing Innovation or Annihilation Incoming?

Posted 12:02pm Sunday 6th September 2026

I know that students have pretty strong feelings about artificial intelligence.  “FUCK AI”. “Just admit you can’t think for yourself, you smooth-brained twat”. “Never, AI should be destroyed [...] AI should be banned, all information about how it can be Read more...

Drawing Out The Inspiration

Posted 12:31pm Sunday 23rd August 2026

Art Week is back and better than ever. Walking through the Link-turned-art-gallery, Ōtepoti students’ talent was on clear display. The OUSA-run Art Week competition had five sections: photography, illustration, sculpture, painting, and other, as well as a separate photography and poetry Read more...

Red Card Inspo

Posted 9:58am Sunday 16th August 2026

This one is specifically for the 26.1% of the 2026 Critic Census respondents who, when asked if they’d participated in a red card in the last year, responded “What’s a red card?”  Disgusting.  The red card is a cornerstone of the mythical institution that is Read more...

TIB’s ‘What I Was Wearing’ Exhibit A Success

Posted 4:04pm Saturday 8th August 2026

Content Warning: Sexual violence, child sexual abuse, rape, intimate partner violence Thursdays in Black’s (TiB) ‘What I Was Wearing’ exhibit was held last week, and after an incredibly powerful and confronting walk through, Critic Te Ārohi sat down with a few members of Read more...

Potion Recipes

Posted 3:36pm Saturday 8th August 2026

Sometimes no amount of logical thinking, communication, or personal growth can save you. Sometimes you need something a bit stronger: a little divine intervention, a sprinkle of fairy dust, and true manifestation. After years of research (and several misfortunate magical accidents), Critic Te Read more...

University Review Finds “No Substantive Evidence” In Favour Of Ending Palo Alto Networks Partnership

Posted 9:58am Sunday 26th July 2026

Following controversy earlier this year around the University of Otago’s proposed partnership with Israeli-government linked Palo Alto Networks, Vice-Chancellor Grant Robertson announced a review of the partnership agreement. This has now been completed, concluding that there is “no Read more...