Students on the Streets in Turkish Turmoil

Posted 6:05pm Sunday 7th July 2013

What began as a protest against the construction of a shopping centre has turned into the largest public demonstration seen in Turkey in recent years. Students have been at the forefront of the protests, which erupted in Istanbul, Ankara and many smaller cities and towns. “Innocents have been Read more...

Protests break out across Turkey

Posted 2:05pm Sunday 2nd June 2013

What began as a protest against a shopping mall has turned into massive demonstrations against police violence in Turkey. Protestors had initially staged a sit-in objecting to the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) plans to build a shopping mall on Gezi park, which sits in the middle of Read more...

Budget provokes outrage and apathy among students

Posted 3:03pm Sunday 26th May 2013

An OUSA-run forum on the Government’s budget resulted in yawns for many on Monday. Speakers from the youth wings of most parliamentary parties were generally ambivalent, although Finance Minister Bill English’s latest effort attracted criticism from even the Government’s most ardent supporters. Read more...

The Cook is cooked

Posted 3:03pm Sunday 26th May 2013

The Captain Cook Tavern’s long history looks set to come to a close, with the pub’s lease expiring un-renewed on 29 June. James Arnott is one of the owners of Cook Brothers Bars, which has operated the pub for nine years, along with other establishments in the Octagon, Queenstown, Christchurch and Read more...

Daft punks ignore Daft Punk suggestion

Posted 1:24pm Sunday 19th May 2013

OUSA has met a suggestion that it underwrite a Daft Punk gig with a mix of excitement, caution and derision. Radio One station manager Sean Norling’s spontaneous idea was emailed to Daft Punk’s agent Richard de la Font on Sunday evening. Norling, who has so far received an auto-reply from de Read more...

Recreation Centre facelift lacks actual lift

Posted 1:24pm Sunday 19th May 2013

OUSA’s $1.7 million renovation of its Recreation Centre building (formerly Clubs and Socs) is set to give students a more modern, functional space for activities. However, one of its services will remain off-limits to some disabled students. After a consultation process including user surveys Read more...

Cardboard swords slay selwyn’s hordes

Posted 2:26pm Sunday 12th May 2013

Selwyn College’s residents flogged one of their favourite dead horses last Wednesday afternoon when they took over the Clocktower lawn for the annual Lindski Battle. A dozen ex-residents were pitted against more than 100 Selwyn “knights” and “nurses” in the annual pacifist skirmish. The Read more...

Lama drama harms Cull’s karma

Posted 2:26pm Sunday 12th May 2013

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull has retracted what he calls a “dismissive and unnecessary slight” he made against the Dalai Lama, but still will not meet him when he visits Dunedin on 11 June. After describing the Lama as “the leader of a minority sect” last week, Cull now says that the community Read more...

Ex-Critic editor puts up pointless, doomed bill

Posted 4:00pm Sunday 5th May 2013

Green Party list MP Holly Walker has introduced a Private Member’s Bill for the next ballot at Parliament, which aims to reinstate student allowances for postgraduate students. However, with little hope of majority support, the bill appears to be purely symbolic. In 2012, the government Read more...

Apps to make sad kids ‘appy

Posted 4:00pm Sunday 5th May 2013

A texting blob, a digital bin in which to put feelings, and a site full of videos to cheer kids up won the Dunedin round of the Lifehack competition last Sunday evening. Lifehack (not to be confused with the website explaining how to “Make Your Own Fresh Home Fragrances”) is an organisation that the Read more...