Archive
Debatable: Battle of the $4 lunch sides: Onion Bhaji vs Samosa
Posted 2:52pm Saturday 7th September 2024 by Connor Moffat
Onion Bhaji: Connor Moffat Though Nina claims to have to bite her lip from moaning over the samosa, when it comes to choosing a hot side piece for your $4 lunch munch, the onion bhaji stands out as the superior choice. If sexual relationships with a samosa are your thing then go for it (take what Read more...
Critic Bachelor: XYZ Karaoke & Bull-riding
Posted 7:47pm Sunday 25th August 2024 by Hanna Varrs
Finally, Joel and the singles are out of the cold and into the warm embrace of XYZ Bar. It’s 6:30pm on a Wednesday, and the bar feels liminal without the usual thrum of drunk students on a Saturday night. Music plays at an awkward volume and the light-up dance floor flickers Read more...
Local Produce: RISK
Posted 7:32pm Sunday 25th August 2024 by Jordan Irvine
RISK (he/him) is one of the hottest techno/hardgrove DJs to pop out of Dunedin this year. Already, RISK (real name Angus) has been stacking up on an impressive resume, regularly playing at Carousel, U-Bar and snagging a Radio 1 Live to Air boiler room style set. Critic Te Ārohi caught up with Read more...
Mi Goreng Graduate: Macaroni Cheese
Posted 7:08pm Sunday 25th August 2024 by Ruby Hudson
Serves: 6 Time: 1 hr Price: $$ Difficulty: 2/5 With snow having made its first appearance this year, we’re all in need of a cosy meal! Macaroni cheese is the perfect dinner for this time of year. Carby, cheesy and saucy, it is a must make. This recipe should cook enough Read more...
Should TVNZ Have a Queer Bachelor/Bachelorette?
Posted 7:01pm Sunday 25th August 2024 by Hannah Mitchell
Debatable is a column written by the Otago University Debating Society. The Debating Society welcomes new members and meets at the Business School every Tuesday at 6pm. For: Hannah Mitchell In almost 50 seasons combined, The Bachelor/Bachelorette USA has yet to produce what Critic Te Read more...
Booze Reviews: Lemon Ice Grog!
Posted 6:57pm Sunday 25th August 2024 by Chunny Bill Swilliams
Grog! is the Australian version of Prime, and that means two things: one, like anything truly Australian, an obscene amount of alcohol is needed; and two, this drink has reached Hyoketsu levels of shameless breatha-targeted marketing. The pretty colours are perfect for an audience who hasn’t Read more...
Horoscopes: Week 20
Posted 6:37pm Sunday 25th August 2024 by Critic
Aquarius Taking a break from reality can sometimes do more good than harm, so absolutely check out this week. Be the personification of lights on, no one home. You may regret it next month, but you can claw yourself out of that pit when you come to it. Late-night side quest: Eat gummy vitamins and Read more...
Editorial: The Queer Issue Goes Hard
Posted 6:23pm Sunday 25th August 2024 by Nina Brown
Dunedin isn’t exactly known for its queer scene. A close friend of mine once told me that they felt unsafe walking the streets here wearing the clothes they felt most themselves in. They’ve since moved to Wellington to find a more inclusive community. At the writer’s meeting where Read more...
OUSA Exec: Presidential Address
Posted 6:11pm Sunday 25th August 2024 by Keegan Wells
I hear comments consistently about how “disengaged” students are. But I disagree. I think students have been made cripplingly poor, but not just in terms of wealth – also in terms of time. It’s led to student culture being drained without people even Read more...
Local Produce: The Daze
Posted 5:38pm Saturday 17th August 2024 by Jordan Irvine
The Daze have been making music for over two years and are continuing to make noise in Dunedin’s music scene. Formed in their hall in first-year, the band’s made up of Sam (he/him) on guitar and vocals, Ollie (he/him) on drums, Vere (he/him) on bass and vocals, and Alex (he/him) on Read more...
OUSA Exec: What Do You Care About?
Posted 5:35pm Saturday 17th August 2024 by Liam White
There’s honestly not enough space in this column to talk about this Government’s war on the environment. Conservation jobs cuts, Fast Track powers to build American superhighways, and the removal of half-price bus fares just scrape the surface. Also, surprise! Your fees are probably Read more...
Do It Your Fucking Self: Electricity 101
Posted 5:31pm Saturday 17th August 2024 by Sam Smith-Soppet
Electricity is cool as fuck. But alongside all the awesome shit it does, it can also act as a source of a whole lotta hurt – be it your hairdryer shocking you in the bathroom, your whole flat going up in flames (there’s a reason they check that shit is up to par in first-year halls), or Read more...
Debatable: Should Small Businesses Use AI Art in Advertising?
Posted 5:17pm Saturday 17th August 2024 by Hannah Twigg
Debatable is a column written by the Otago University Debating Society. The Debating Society welcomes new members and meets at the Business School every Tuesday at 6pm. For: Liam Gould AI art can be tacky and cheap but it can also be effective if used correctly. There's a reason why Read more...
Mi Goreng Graduate: Chicken Katsu
Posted 4:55pm Saturday 17th August 2024 by Ruby Hudson
Serves: 5 Time: 40 mins (max!) Price: $$ Difficulty: 1/5 (so easy yet so delicious!) Chicken katsu is such a simple and delicious meal that I guarantee will become a fan favourite. In my house we love any excuse to slather dinner in kewpie mayo, so this really is a winner all round. Read more...
Booze Review: Kingfisher Strong
Posted 4:46pm Saturday 17th August 2024 by Chunny Bill Swilliams
Kingfisher Strong, unlike the kōtare, is an allegedly exotic and foreign beer. Yes, it may be foreign, but this beverage tends to be about as exciting as that one wounder at a party showing you his Year 12 1st XV highlights on Hudl whilst unironically calling them his ‘glory Read more...
Horoscopes: Week 19
Posted 4:25pm Saturday 17th August 2024 by Critic
Aquarius The moon is screaming at you to avoid toxic friends. Now is the perfect time of the year to cut your circle down to those you actually want to be around. No point in feeding a plant you think is ugly and smells funny. Art to make: A new collaged laptop screensaver Pisces Summer Read more...
Editorial: Neoliberalism Hates Art, and I Hate Neoliberalism
Posted 4:24pm Saturday 17th August 2024 by Nina Brown
Neoliberalism is the root of all evil, and the arts have borne the brunt of it. You take any issue in the world and neoliberalism will always be sitting at the end. It’s like following a trail of wrappers to find a smug, chubby lil kid with chocolate smeared on its face. It’s why we Read more...
Critic Bachelor: Ice Skating Group Date
Posted 4:22pm Saturday 17th August 2024 by Hanna Varrs
This week on the Critic Bachelor, the next batch of singles in the second round have been sentenced to another freezing group date. But will romance warm their cold little hearts? Read on to find out! It’s 12pm on a Wednesday when Micah, Charlotte, Brad, and latecomer Amelia shuffle into Read more...
Local Produce: DJ Bax
Posted 11:38pm Saturday 10th August 2024 by Jordan Irvine
DJ Bax is one of the most exciting and revolutionary DJs in Dunedin’s electronic scene. Known for the signature DONK sound and having a great ear for remixes (as well as being the guitarist for Leo Lilley), over the past year his influence has been unprecedented. He’s been involved with Read more...
Critic Bachelor: Group Date - Peace Garden
Posted 11:35pm Saturday 10th August 2024 by Hanna Varrs
It’s 9am on a Friday when four of the remaining eight singles – Gabi, Lily, Olivia, and Jessica – are cruelly dragged out into the cold, ready to get their hands dirty in the Kia Ora/Peace Garden with some gardening and rock-painting. It’s a more casual affair this Read more...
Debatable: Should You Date Your Flatmate?
Posted 11:29pm Saturday 10th August 2024 by Abby Bowmar
Debatable is a column written by the Otago University Debating Society. The Debating Society welcomes new members and meets at the Business School every Tuesday at 6pm. For: Abby Bowmar You enjoyed being single in first-year, when you were freshly eighteen and heating was free. But now Read more...
Mi Goreng Graduate: Banana Loaf
Posted 11:18pm Saturday 10th August 2024 by Ruby Hudson
Time: 1 hr Price: $ Difficulty: 1/5 Banana loaf is an absolute classic! This recipe serves you with the perfect way to use up those neglected bananas you never got round to eating, and only takes a few minutes to whip up a tasty treat. Best served warm with a slice of butter, share with Read more...
OUSA Exec: Dunedin Needs Its Students
Posted 11:11pm Saturday 10th August 2024 by Daniel Leamy
The thought of Dunedin without its students is like imagining Wednesday nights without Pint Night or Southern Sounds without finger dips in the mosh – of fairy dust, of course. It’s just wrong on so many levels. While Dunedin may have started as a bustling, gold-rich city, what Read more...
Surveyors on the Recruitment Rark
Posted 11:08pm Saturday 10th August 2024 by Hugh Askerud
Surveying students have had one hell of a fortnight, managing to get on the piss with surveying companies’ dime. Over twenty companies (from both NZ and Aus) were in town on a recruitment spree, offering both summer internships for third-years, and graduate positions for fourth-years Read more...
Horoscopes: Week 18
Posted 10:45pm Saturday 10th August 2024 by Nina Brown
Aquarius Mending your turbulent friendships will bring you a lot of peace this week. You may have just stocked up on your anti-anxiety meds but your dependency will go down. Market your SSRIs to your friends as Percocets. Lucky (Lotto) Numbers: 3, 11, 12, 17, 19, 20 Pisces Before going grocery Read more...
Editorial: Your Initiation “Tradition” Is Barely Consenting Age, Actually
Posted 10:42pm Saturday 10th August 2024 by Nina Brown
As students are beginning to turn their attention to where they’ll live next year and listings for Castle Street flats are cropping up, the subject of flat initiations is once again on people’s minds. Personally, it’s been in the back of my mind since last year, when I witnessed a Read more...
Booze Review: Cleanskin Sauvignon Blanc
Posted 10:36pm Saturday 10th August 2024 by Chunny Bill Swilliams
To the best of our knowledge, good wine does exist out there. Maybe you can find it at the Central Otago, Martinborough, or Canterbury wineries where middle-aged mums flock in the summer months. But Cleanskin Sauvignon Blanc makes this hard to believe. With each reluctant sip it extinguishes all Read more...
Debatable: Castle Street Hosts: Live Bands vs DJs?
Posted 3:20pm Sunday 4th August 2024 by Otago University Debating Society
Debatable is a column written by the Otago University Debating Society. The Debating Society welcomes new members and meets at the Business School every Tuesday at 6pm. DJs Live bands are great, but let's be honest here: for flat hosts on Castle they're just too much effort for too Read more...
Local Produce: DeadBeat Blondes
Posted 3:16pm Sunday 4th August 2024 by Jordan Irvine
DeadBeat Blondes are a brand new rock band often seen down in U-Bar. The band is made up of members AJ Keable (she/her), who is the lead singer and guitarist, Salani Shaw (she/her) on bass, Sam Flanagan (he/him) on guitar and Alfie Buxton (he/him) on drums. They brought Sam’s dog (also called Read more...
Mi Goreng Graduate: Burrito Bowls
Posted 3:12pm Sunday 4th August 2024 by Ruby Hudson
Serves: 6 Time: 45 mins Price: $ Difficulty: 1/5 This burrito bowl recipe is inspired by Connors “banging” Nachos from the other week! As students, we all love a good Mexican meal. I recommend you branch out this week and get creative with a burrito bowl! The toppings on a Read more...
Booze Reviews: Brookvale Union Alcoholic Ginger Beer
Posted 3:08pm Sunday 4th August 2024 by Chunny Bill Swilliams
Since the dawn of time, students have been looking for the ideal alcoholic beverage that actually tastes good while also getting you ruined. Our wait is finally over, thank fuck, with the introduction of Brookvale Union to Dunedin shores. The Australians have pulled off a mighty fine beverage Read more...
OUSA Exec: Guide to Escaping Studentville
Posted 3:04pm Sunday 4th August 2024 by Telekalafi Likiliki
Mālō e lelei everyone and happy Sem Two! I don’t know about you, but Semester Two has always been my busiest semester. Sometimes it ends up feeling like I'm trapped in Studentville since the only places I end up are uni and my flat. So here’s a list of a few places (in no Read more...
Horoscopes: Week 17
Posted 2:37pm Sunday 4th August 2024 by Critic
Aquarius Stop trying to get your friends to use the shitty slang you’ve been trying to make happen. It’s your dave’s, your bosch’s and most certainly your skux’s that’ll make everyone lose respect for you. Your Bachelor Placing: You win but assert dominance by Read more...
Editorial: A Love Letter to Radio One
Posted 2:30pm Sunday 4th August 2024 by Nina Brown
This is a love letter to Radio One. I couldn’t possibly write an editorial for the music issue without mentioning our musos across the hall, who Dunedin’s music scene owes everything to. Celebrating their 40th this year, Radio One (91FM) gives a platform to the up-and-coming artists of Read more...
Critic Bachelor: First Group Date
Posted 2:17pm Sunday 4th August 2024 by Hanna Varrs
Initial Impressions It’s 6pm on the 26th of July when Joel approaches the Critic Te Ārohi office for the first group date. His eyes flick around nervously, adjusting his tie and shifting his weight from foot to foot. Navy blazer, pristine white shirt, coordinated trousers. He’s Read more...
Critic Bachelor: Meet the Singles
Posted 9:00pm Sunday 28th July 2024 by Hanna Varrs
Meet the ten sexy singles who will be vying for Joel’s affections in the upcoming series of the Critic Bachelor! We tasked the finalists with a cheeky Insta stalk for a first impression of the man of the hour (which they probably had already). Next week, tune in for details of the Read more...
Local Produce: Leo Lilley
Posted 8:38pm Sunday 28th July 2024 by Jordan Irvine
As the poncho-wearing frontman of his own band, Leo Lilley is one of the most beloved artists in the Ōtepoti music scene. Playing at parties since his first year of uni, his solo material and classic covers of The Clash and Car Seat Headrest gets the crowd jumping. Critic Te Ārohi had a Read more...
Debatable: Should you buy fast fashion?
Posted 8:21pm Sunday 28th July 2024 by Otago University Debating Society
Debatable is a column written by the Otago University Debating Society. The Debating Society welcomes new members and meets at the Business School every Tuesday at 6pm. For As someone who occasionally indulges in retail therapy, I may be a bit delusional and hypocritical in thinking my Read more...
OUSA Exec: Postgrad is Cooler Than You Think
Posted 8:17pm Sunday 28th July 2024 by Hanna Friedlander
Hope the year has been treating y’all well! Super late introduction but I’m Hanna, your Postgraduate Representative! For those who don’t know me, I’m a first year PhD neuroscience girlie looking at how the brain processes rewards and how our day-to-day social interactions Read more...
Mi Goreng Graduate: Braised Lentils
Posted 8:08pm Sunday 28th July 2024 by Ruby Hudson
This week's dish is a staple in my house! Made from pantry ingredients, this braised lentil and sausage recipe is hearty and delicious. An extra bonus is that there is wine involved in the cooking – enjoy a cheeky glass while you chef it up. The recipe below is a hefty one. It serves the Read more...
Booze Review: Mac’s Apparition
Posted 7:58pm Sunday 28th July 2024 by Chunny Bill Swilliams
The Mac’s line of beers can aptly be described as fake craft beer. Like weed, Mac’s beers are a gateway to the expensive, harder shit. Before you know it, this drop will have any soon-to-be graduate breatha loudly expressing their political views over a pint and reflecting on their glory Read more...
Horoscopes: Week 16
Posted 7:38pm Sunday 28th July 2024 by Critic
Aquarius You can’t always be the boss of everyone. Use this week to relax and let things play out naturally. Letting go can cause even more stress but once you push through it's nice to not have to be a team carrier all the time. OOTD’s finishing touch: A tote Read more...
Editorial: Kmart Gives Me the Ick
Posted 7:36pm Sunday 28th July 2024 by Nina Brown
I hate to be a hater, but the opening of Kmart and its cult following made me a bit disappointed. This comes with the big fat disclaimer that, yes, the tracksuit on the cover of the issue was bought from Kmart, and yes, I am wearing the slippers I bought while I was there. And I’m never going Read more...
OUSA Exec: Please Give Us Lecture Recordings Policy Feedback
Posted 3:06pm Monday 22nd July 2024 by Ibuki Nishida
Hey gamers. It’s me, your International Rep, Buki. Critic’s foolishly given me this little box to write in. Like, I could say anything right now. But I’ll be nice. There are many things I wanna to tell you, but I’ll save those for another time because I am here for one reason Read more...
Local Produce: Caribou
Posted 3:43pm Saturday 20th July 2024 by Jordan Irvine
Named after a Pixies song that they jammed for the first time just over a year ago, Caribou has been making an impact on the Dunedin music scene. Made up of members Mario (he/they) on guitar and vocals, Cam (he/him) on drums, Colton (he/him) on bass, and Ben (he/him) on guitar, their indie sound can Read more...
Booze Review: Heineken 0.0%
Posted 3:41pm Saturday 20th July 2024 by Chunny Bill Swilliams
Drinking a non-alcoholic beer for the first time is a strange experience. It tastes like beer, smells like beer, makes you crave nicotine like beer, yet there’s something missing. It’s like drinking out of a week-old luke-warm keg that has long lost any sense of its carbonation. Read more...
Horoscopes: Week 15
Posted 3:22pm Saturday 20th July 2024 by Critic
Aquarius It's time to decide if you will continue to sell your soul to please others. Life can be a little bit scary at times, but so can you. Make sure to stand your ground and not let yourself wonder if you were silent or if you were silenced. If you were a TikTok trend: Who TF did I marry Read more...
Mi Goreng Graduate: Connor's Nachos
Posted 3:19pm Saturday 20th July 2024 by Connor Moffat
Ruby’s on vacay, so design intern Connor swooped in to save the day with his “banging” nacho recipe! Nachos are a classic go-to student meal, perfect for the colder weather for a quick and tasty feed. To make it vegetarian, simply swap the mince for more veggies such as carrots and Read more...
Why I’m Doing Dry July
Posted 3:04pm Saturday 20th July 2024 by Nina Brown
I’m doing Dry July. And it’s been kind of… nice. When I’d thought about doing Dry July and how it might be a nice break, it was a small shock to realise that I couldn’t remember the last time I’d gone so long without a drink. And that bothered Read more...
Debatable: Is Winter a Good Season?
Posted 3:00pm Saturday 20th July 2024 by Otago University Debating Society
Debatable is a column written by the Otago University Debating Society. The Debating Society welcomes new members and meets at the Business School every Tuesday at 6pm. For The change in season rolls by unnoticed in the depths of first-sem exam hell, but with calmer times ahead we can stop and Read more...