Editorial: Once Upon A Time…

Posted 3:48pm Saturday 8th August 2026 by Hanna Varrs

Once upon a time, there was a student magazine called Critic Te Ārohi. And it was the best publication in the entire world.  I am super proud of this issue, but it feels wrong to be writing this editorial. That’s because this issue belongs to Stella Caulton, the designer for this Read more...

Editorial: What’s Up, Party People?

Posted 11:28am Sunday 2nd August 2026 by Hanna Varrs

I went to high school in rural-ish Canterbury – Lincoln, to be exact. We didn’t really have a whole lot of parties, and the ones that were thrown were either crammed into cookie-cutter suburban houses, held in someone’s shed or, if things were really fancy, hosted by a local Read more...

Editorial: Texts That I Got This Week

Posted 9:28am Sunday 26th July 2026 by Hanna Varrs

Last week, I committed to using a flip phone for 7 days. I will start with the cons. Firstly, I hadn’t realised how much I was relying on social media for a sense of connectivity, or parasocialisation. I found myself wondering when the days had gotten so long, and so lonely. Secondly, there Read more...

Editorial: I Will Go 7 Days With a Flip Phone

Posted 11:36am Sunday 19th July 2026 by Hanna Varrs

I feel weird. I think it’s probably some combination of seeing my brother for the first time in a long time and being in my last ever second semester, but I feel that every day is going too fast now. At the time of writing, I have just become eligible to graduate with my law degree. Nearly Read more...

Editorial: Everything You Missed Over The Break

Posted 3:24pm Saturday 11th July 2026 by Hanna Varrs

Welcome back. I missed you! In the spirit of our census results coming out, I asked you guys (via the @criticmag story) what you had all been missing about Ōtepoti while you were away for the break.  April misses hearing the clocktower chime. Ryan misses Leith Liquor. A couple of Read more...

Editorial: DRAMA ALERT: Tabloid is back, baby!

Posted 12:00pm Saturday 23rd May 2026 by Molly Smith-Soppet

Welcome to the Tabloid Issue! This one is always the best. Tabloid lets us be silly, dramatic, nosy, and unserious in the way that student journalism is made for. My first exposure to the wonderful world of print magazines was through my Nana’s Women’s Weekly, Women's Day, and Read more...

Editorial: Dear Otago

Posted 11:09am Sunday 17th May 2026 by Hanna Varrs

Otago, as I write this, I sit in an airport. I’m miles away from you, and I can’t help but notice that the colours seem duller and the sky less open without you near. Laughter seems less genuine, and all I can think about is coming home to you. No matter how damp the soil, or how wet the Read more...

Editorial: It’s All In Your Head

Posted 10:01am Sunday 10th May 2026 by Hanna Varrs

Hi everyone, Welcome to Issue 11. We literally have two issues left for the semester, which I think is genuinely insane. How time flies!  I’m pleased to say that this issue seems to have a bit of a theme, though it was completely unplanned. Our chunkiest piece is Jesse and Read more...

Editorial: Stop Being Mean To The BSA

Posted 2:39pm Sunday 3rd May 2026 by Hanna Varrs

If it isn’t obvious, media is something near and dear to my heart. It’s my life blood – I enjoy the chaos of it and the role it plays in keeping others accountable. That’s why I was interested to hear that the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) and its associated Read more...

Editorial: 32 Pages and Hustle Culture

Posted 1:05pm Sunday 26th April 2026 by Hanna Varrs

Christmas has come early for you lot, because I’m pleased to announce on behalf of the Critic Te Ārohi team that the mag will shift to printing 32-pages per week, effective semester 2. The decision has been made alongside OUSA. Shifting to 32 pages gives us a net gain of 12 pages per Read more...