How to keep talking when the world is upside down…

Posted 10:50am Sunday 5th March 2017 by Associate Professor James Maclaurin

James Maclaurin is a philosopher of science at the University of Otago. He has a particular interest in the life sciences and computing and information science (particularly artificial intelligence and it’s impact on humanity). We asked him to talk about how to argue constructively. The Read more...

Opinion: Guardiola proving that the EPL is nothing special

Posted 10:36am Saturday 24th September 2016 by Sean Nugent

All too often the media portray the English Premier League as the toughest in the world, and that a player or manager’s career is not totally fulfilled if they do not prove themselves on a cold, rainy night in Stoke. Having won all eight competitive games so far, including five in the EPL, Pep Read more...

Opinion: Blackcaps should stop persevering with Martin Guptill

Posted 11:06am Saturday 17th September 2016 by Sean Nugent

The Blackcaps start their tour of India this week, hoping to improve on their disappointing performance in South Africa last month. They will play three tests and five ODIs over the next five weeks, before coming home to prepare for another long summer of cricket. Coach Mike Hesson has said that it Read more...

Opinion: Warriors prove their consistency

Posted 10:55am Saturday 10th September 2016 by Sean Nugent

This was supposed to be the year that the Warriors finally turned it around and made a serious push at not only the playoffs, but also at the NRL title. Yet, following the conclusion of their embarrassing 40-18 loss to Parramatta last weekend, the Warriors found themselves out of the playoffs for Read more...

Opinion: Has the All Blacks dominance made international rugby less exciting?

Posted 10:50am Sunday 4th September 2016 by Sean Nugent

Former England footballer Gary Lineker once said “football is a simple game. 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win.” Applied to the All Blacks, Lineker’s quote fits like a glove. I’m sure plenty of opposition have walked off the park Read more...

Opinion: IOC just another dodgy sports organisation

Posted 11:26am Sunday 31st July 2016 by Sean Nugent

In the early hours of Monday morning, the leaders of the International Olympic Committee convened to discuss the banning of the Russian Olympic team from the upcoming games. Over the course of three hours, they had the chance to come to a conclusion that could change the future of sport forever. Read more...

Opinion Piece: ‘Secret’ animal research facility plans “appalling”

Posted 10:41am Sunday 17th July 2016 by Otago Student Animal Legal Defence Fund

Otago Student Animal Legal Defense Fund are startled by Otago University’s announcement of plans of a new animal research facility, to be included in a new $50 million, five-storey development on the Dunedin campus.  As students whose fees contribute to the funding of University Read more...

Opinion: Are the Olympics starting to lose legitimacy?

Posted 11:02am Sunday 17th July 2016 by Sean Nugent

After Rory McIlroy’s comments this week, one was reminded of the ridiculous amount of sports now included in the Olympic Games. This year’s games will have 308 events across 28 different sports, an Olympic record. To put this in context, there were only 43 events at the first modern Read more...

Opinion

Posted 12:12pm Sunday 13th March 2016 by Joel MacManus

Being a Christian can be frustrating sometimes. In the least religious generation in history, it’s tough not to feel a little weird. I don’t really like telling people about my faith, because I don’t want them to think I’m one of "those Christians". I feel the need Read more...

Opinion: The Comeback of Judith Collins

Posted 11:41am Sunday 2nd August 2015 by Henry Napier

Former minister Judith Collins’ journey back to political significance is one of the most interesting undercurrents of New Zealand politics right now. It would be surprising if there was a backbench MP in history who had as much influence as Collins does today. Last year, Collins was forced Read more...