Archive

An Ode to the Cocktower

Posted 6:32pm Thursday 5th March 2020 by Naomii Seah

Oh cock tower! oh cock tower! Your presence makes me horny, To see you chiming every day Makes my morning glory.   Your dinging and a donging, Fills me with such longing With every peal, you make me squeal "I'm late to my class meeting!"   But Read more...

Dating Ace

Posted 6:22pm Thursday 5th March 2020 by Oscar Francis

Asexuality is a sexuality; the A in LGBTQIA+. No, it doesn’t mean you reproduce with yourself, unlike what your year 9 biology might have you thinking. It means you don’t experience sexual attraction like most people do. It means you if you see a hot stud across the road, you might say Read more...

Dunedin News’ Coronavirus Discourse

Posted 6:22pm Thursday 5th March 2020 by Oscar Paul

Need to know more about the latest trends and pandemics? Visit Dunedin News, the single largest online forum for our fine city in the South. Dunedin News is a Facebook group founded in 2014, with the sole purpose of housing the most up-to-date collection of info from the wider Dunedin area. But Read more...

Your Asian Fetish is Gross

Posted 5:56pm Thursday 5th March 2020 by Naomii Seah

When I was younger, I was convinced that no one would ever find me attractive because I’m Asian. I don’t fit into eurocentric beauty standards, and I also don’t fit into Asian beauty standards. I’m dark skinned, little, brown-eyed and have short, wavy hair. I would’ve Read more...

The Inaugural Critic Kebab Review

Posted 1:36am Friday 28th February 2020 by Alex Leckie-Zaharic

The kebab. The holy trinity of protein, veggie and carbs. The go-to for anyone who is feening a feed that won’t damage your body and/or subtract ten minutes from your life. The team at Critic was shook to realise that no Dunedin kebab review exists, and are here to right that wrong. Each Read more...

Exclusive Interview: BuffCorrell

Posted 6:48pm Thursday 27th February 2020 by Henessey Griffiths

Why is he shirtless? Why can’t I stop watching? Why does he do this?? BuffCorrell, who had previously never given an interview, has been an online legend - and mystery - for a decade now. Critic scored an exclusive interview with him. He answered my questions over email, and didn’t know Read more...

A-to-Z of words you should know at Otago

Posted 12:17am Friday 21st February 2020 by Critic

AGNEW            A popular party street, often thought as of far superior to the likes of the ticketed Hyde Street Party   BREATHA           A person who lives, or rather breathes, for the Read more...

Gig Review: How Deep is Your Love?

Posted 12:14am Friday 21st February 2020 by Sophia Carter Peters

On Valentine’s Day, an army of Doc Martens’ shook the flimsy 19th-century floor of the Cook; by 9pm, the How Deep is Your Love gig was well underway.   The vibes were strong the whole time: each band commanded total control of the crowd. The breaks between acts left the Read more...

Students to Watch: Magdeline Huang

Posted 10:27pm Thursday 20th February 2020 by Caroline Moratti

If you’ve ever had to post on Otago Flatting Goods, you are submitting to the mortifying ordeal of being known. To watch yourself or a loved one make a post begging to buy or borrow an item is a shameful endeavour, posting to 40,000+ people is not an experience that comes lightly. Like most Read more...

Love Life in the Leaf Litter

Posted 10:37pm Thursday 13th February 2020 by Emma Burns

Ah nature! Dunedin is blessed with many romantic public parks, reserves, and gardens. Filled with the birds and the bees, the flowers and the trees – there is literally love all around us. With Valentine’s Day approaching, why not take a picnic and ponder some romantic strategies used by Read more...

Sea Mouse: The ocean is big and the mouse is small

Posted 10:00pm Wednesday 12th February 2020 by Sophia Carter Peters

If you google ‘sea mouse’ you’ll be met with a cute ocean creature, but a couple scrolls further will open the window into the blues-fueled journey that is Wellington’s Sea Mouse. Powered by Weetbix and classic blues, Sea Mouse is known for their classical take on modern rock Read more...

A Conversation with Justin Pemberton

Posted 1:01pm Thursday 17th October 2019 by Oscar Francis

This new film of yours is a historical look at capitalism, and it’s an adaptation of a nearly 700 page economics text that deals with a piles of statistics, and a tonne of macroeconomic theory. Is it a film for nerds? No, not at all. There’s no way the film would be able to mirror the Read more...

Students to Watch: You

Posted 9:32pm Thursday 3rd October 2019 by Henessey Griffiths

Over the past 25 issues, we’ve been documenting people on campus who are making an impact on the community around them. From people who run community groups, fashion designers, entrepreneurs, to those dedicated to the best chicken nugget deals around town. We only had space to fit in a select Read more...

“Manic-Noisy-Fun-Pop-Punk” – Mary Berry

Posted 9:28pm Thursday 3rd October 2019 by Sophia Carter Peters

Mary Berry’s win at the recent Bring the Noise competition has brought them swiftly into the student music scene, which they have taken by storm. I met the band members in an alleyway coffee shop. After procuring the necessary caffeine for any human interaction, Julie Dunn (bass), Jade Read more...

All The Time We Scooped the ODT This Year

Posted 9:25pm Thursday 3rd October 2019 by Sinead Gill

Critic: 19 February - OUSA to Introduce Drug Testing for O-Week ODT: 19 February - OUSA introduces drug checking for O-Week   Critic: 21 February - OUSA Ran Drug Testing for O-Week ODT: 26 February - 60 O-Week drug tests carried out   Critic: 14 March - Drug Testing Finds a Read more...

Marlin’s Dreaming: Electrifying, Witty, and Actually Good

Posted 11:27pm Thursday 26th September 2019 by Caroline Moratti

The same day I interviewed Marlin’s Dreaming, Taylor Swift had just released a new album. So overall it was a big day for the Dunedin Sound. Marlin’s Dreaming is a sleepy, mesmerising band consisting of Semisi Maiai (vocals/guitar), Hamish Morgan (percussion) and Oscar Johns (bass). Read more...

WHO SHAT ON THE TABLE

Posted 11:26pm Thursday 26th September 2019 by Owen Clarke

Read the mystery here     At that moment, Kyle opens the door. He sniffs, then looks at the table, then at you. “What the fuck?” he says. “That’s exactly what I said,” you say. “But I wasn’t here. It wasn’t me. It was one of Read more...

The Shittiest Study Session

Posted 11:25pm Thursday 26th September 2019 by Owen Clarke

It’s a rainy Saturday evening in Dunedin. You took five too many nangs last night, forgot there was a hole in the butt pocket of your jeans and, as a result, lost your car keys. You’ve also been ghosted by your last five Tinder matches, three of whom have unmatched you altogether. In Read more...

Students To Watch: Anna Clark

Posted 11:16pm Thursday 26th September 2019 by Nina Minogue

There was never doubt in Anna Clark’s mind about where she was going to head in life. When she was 15, she knew she wanted to do genetics and from the age of four, knew she’d love to work with animals. Studying Genetics and Zoology in undergrad, Anna has combined two lifelong passions Read more...

Students to Watch – Nathan Hollows of Nugget Watch

Posted 9:19pm Friday 20th September 2019 by Phillip Plant

At first glance, Nathan Hollows appears to be just your average CompSci student, but underneath his mild mannered exterior lies the enterprising soul of an entrepreneur. Nathan’s main creation is a website called “Nugget Watch,” which is “dedicated to your hearts deepest Read more...

Sincere Shitposting: The Meme Pages Fundraising for Mental Health

Posted 8:56pm Friday 20th September 2019 by Caroline Moratti

Lad shitposting is a delicate art form. In the past year or so a renaissance of sorts has risen through the weeds of Facebook algorithms. They love all things beer, caps, DnB, and are typically your average breathas. I mean, shit, some pages even have more likes than Critic Booze Reviews. Lad Read more...

I tried to rip bongs through household ingedients: A heartwarming tale of overcoming oppression

Posted 1:02am Friday 13th September 2019 by Anonymous Bird

Why are we still exclusively ripping bongs through water when there’s a whole world of exotic bong rips out there. Here’re some of the hottest new bong trends for when you feel like spicing your life up:   Day 1: Mandarin Slices in syrup, $1.30 from Countdown. Difficulty: Read more...

A Line About Lines

Posted 12:38am Friday 13th September 2019 by Critic

We asked students to share their best or worst experiences on drugs in ten words or less.   “So drunk, I cummed while completely soft” “Inhaled Diethyl Ether, convinced I was a garage door opener” “Made grilled cheese but with butter instead of Read more...

Students to Watch: Ben Paanakker and Flynn Robson, aka Breatha Science

Posted 12:22am Friday 13th September 2019 by Henessey Griffiths

“Vaccinate your kids, be aware of hidden water, global warming is not a myth, and fuck Donald Trump.” These are the mottos of local students Ben Paanakker and Flynn Robson. Ben and Flynn seem like the average breatha. Living on Queen, loving a cheeky Wednesday night appearance at Pint Read more...

Get Your Own: An ADHD Opinion on Study Drugs

Posted 11:52pm Thursday 12th September 2019 by Sophia Carter Peters

I was 15 when I got my first Ritalin prescription and it changed my life. My grades improved, my relationships improved and I didn’t get comments on my report saying “needs to talk less in class”. ADHD is a chronic disorder that generally involves hyperactivity, inattentiveness, Read more...

Students to Watch | Te Hau Ariki Gardiner-Toi and Karamea Pewhairangi

Posted 1:03am Friday 6th September 2019 by Sinead Gill

For Te Hau and Karamea, every week is Te Wiki o te Reo Māori. As far as any officially themed week goes, though, Māori language week is this week, and you’ll see a bunch of institutions making an effort to include te reo in their social media posts and the likes.  But on top Read more...

In order to heal

Posted 11:59pm Thursday 5th September 2019 by Māori Mermaid

In order to heal We do it together.   I let you thread the stitches into my skin A perfect weave of earth and wind, We bathe each other several times a week, Then plant our antibiotics deep And gently bandage our backs with dirt, We wash our wounds, expel some Read more...

Te Huinga Tauira

Posted 11:55pm Thursday 5th September 2019 by Taylor Terekia

Whakatau mai rā e te huinga tauira, e te huinga tāngata ki tōku whare wānanga e! Nau mai rā e ngā mana, e ngā waka ki te tumu herenga waka, ki Te Tumu ki Ōtākou. Nō mātou o Te Roopū Māori te maringanui ki te whakahaere i Te Huinga Read more...

An Interview with Ant Timpson, Director of Come to Daddy

Posted 11:11pm Thursday 29th August 2019 by Wyatt Ryder

At 57, veteran New Zealand film maker Ant Timpson has made his directorial debut with his film Come To Daddy - a hybrid of a thriller and dark comedy. Timpson started in the film industry writing and sending letters to various film production companies, trying to help any way he could. “We Read more...

Students to Watch | James Fletcher

Posted 11:07pm Thursday 29th August 2019 by Henessey Griffiths

“Even the most confident and socially accepted people have negative thoughts. It’s just part of life. I think that being aware that these things can come and go like the tide is important in maintaining a healthy mind.” James Fletcher is a 22-year-old Law and Commerce student. Read more...

Students to Watch | Eva Cambourn

Posted 9:34pm Saturday 17th August 2019 by Henessey Griffiths

“We want to encourage people to do the right thing and just do what they can. If we can keep that momentum going, keep that fire burning, we feel like we might be able to point humanity in the right direction.” At only 24, Eva Cambourn works as the director and designer of her own Read more...

I Am The Girl

Posted 9:30pm Saturday 17th August 2019 by Theodora Morris

I am the girl who never called the police Never said a word didn’t cry didn’t scream A good little girl taught to keep the peace, Told staying silent was best for me Society made sure my tongue stayed tied Just stay silent, run and hide. Who would believe what I had to Read more...

Best Dressed Couple On Campus

Posted 9:14pm Saturday 17th August 2019 by Henessey Griffiths

The gay paradise ducks that hang out on Union Lawn (fuck the heterosexual paradise ducks that live by the Leith) are inspirational. These good boys love to waddle around the food trucks, eat grass, and serve luuks. After months trying to book an interview, Samuel L Quackson and Quackie Chan sat down Read more...

The Tree that Smells Like Cum

Posted 9:00pm Saturday 17th August 2019 by Nina Minogue

There are two things I’ve learnt in this life. One, that some things demand to be felt and two, that some things demand to be smelt. Dunedin has a tree that smells like cum. Officially called Pyrus calleryana, this Cum Tree is a species of pear tree native to China and Vietnam. There might Read more...

OPINION: Let a Man Walk Through Uni in Cowboy Boots and a Tank Top in Peace

Posted 8:59pm Saturday 17th August 2019 by Oscar German

Whether it be a pair of cowboy boots or a shirt with seven sleeves (a tad excessive possibly), since I started uni I have gradually descended further and further into the black hole of fashion. At this point, the more outlandish the better. Now some might label this as ‘a cry for Read more...

Why We Wear Black

Posted 8:54pm Saturday 17th August 2019 by Sinead Gill

Content warning: Sexual violence   Thursdays in Black is an international campaign against sexual violence and standing up for survivors of sexual violence, whose stories are often swept under the rug because of shitty social conventions against talking about awful or awkward things. The Read more...

Students to Watch – Thibaut Espirit

Posted 5:07pm Sunday 11th August 2019 by Henessey Griffiths

“Growing up in New Caledonia, I did not have any sex education, and no safe queer spaces for my young questioning self. I really wanted to be able to provide something I wish I had back in the days.” Thibaut (Tee) Espirit is originally from New Caledonia, which he describes as “a Read more...

Nightmare at the Museum: a Comprehensive Guide of Items to Heist at Otago Museum

Posted 5:04pm Sunday 11th August 2019 by Henessey Griffiths

When I was a kid, I was terrified of the Otago Museum; the giant Moa that used to light up and make noises whenever you’d walk past or donate to it, the scary rotting taxidermy animal faces in Animal Attic, the dude covered in Puffer Fish skin, and even just the general dimly lit aura used to Read more...

Bring the Noise

Posted 4:59pm Sunday 11th August 2019 by Henessey Griffiths

OUSA’s annual ‘Battle of the Bands’ competition is back and fresher than ever. Channelling their inner Public Enemy, the Bring The Noise competition is being hosted over three weeks, showcasing the best local musical talent we have to offer. Thirteen acts will compete, but only one Read more...

Students to Watch | Georgie Northcoat

Posted 8:29pm Sunday 4th August 2019 by Nina Minogue

Georgie Northcoat is a third-year Bachelor of Applied Sciences Student. Majoring in Marketing and Clothing and Textile Sciences she’s also working part-time as a media analyst at Meltwater, doing research for F&P, working on start-up initiatives in the Dunedin community to reduce waste, Read more...

Mia Jay: What It’s Like to Build Your Own EP

Posted 8:27pm Sunday 4th August 2019 by Erin Gourley

Mia Jay is a singer-songwriter and student. This year, as well as playing gigs around Dunedin and studying a full-time double degree in Music and Commerce, she independently released her first EP. No label or funding or manager; just her songs, her band, and a studio in Port Chalmers. Plus a Read more...

Bike Grylls: The Otago Student Who Biked to Auckland

Posted 8:25pm Sunday 4th August 2019 by Wyatt Ryder

In the Summer of 2017, Jules Laking left Dunedin with nothing but some basic survival gear and his bicycle. After a year of disappointing grades and dissatisfying living habits, Jules had two things he had to do: he had to disconnect from the sterile state of city living and he had to be back in Read more...

Feel the Spray with Dunedin’s Local Pesticide Enthusiasts: Flyspray

Posted 4:32am Friday 26th July 2019 by Henessey Griffiths

What does a vape store retail manager, bean soup merchant, and bouncy castle coordinator all have in common? They all share being local pesticide enthusiasts and members of the self-described “conspiracy punk safe kids” band Flyspray. Comprised of Jack Doublet on lead vocals and guitar, Read more...

Tally Ho! Voyaging Through the New Dunedin Sound

Posted 4:31am Friday 26th July 2019 by Henessey Griffiths

Critic interrogates drunk students in the line for Pint Night with pretentious questions about the Dunedin Sound because we’re not like other boys and Pint Night is a bit shit.   What is your favourite Dunedin Sound band? “Albion Abbey is pretty good” “Hold Read more...

Student to Watch: Katie Willis

Posted 3:50am Friday 26th July 2019 by Sinead Gill

Katie Willis’s life has been one big creative journey. She began creating and selling original prints, when she left highschool and began a degree in Communication Design at Otago Polytech with a focus on graphic design. An elective paper in her second year required her to create a product to Read more...

Harlene Hayne's Salary

Posted 12:57am Friday 26th July 2019 by Critic

1. 196,969 x 5 pack noodles 2. 2167 ounces of marijuana 3. 20,312 boxes of Billy Mavs 4. 4,333,333 minutes on a Lime scooter 5. 325,000 McDonalds cheeseburgers 6. 503,875 Bic pens 7. 34,228 boxes of Durex classic condoms 8. 520,000 boxes of Space Man Candy Sticks 9. 144,444 Read more...

Pretty Fly For A WiFi

Posted 6:05pm Thursday 25th July 2019 by Sinead Gill

It’s that time of the year where your landlord (while simultaneously ignoring your texts about the broken freezer and mould) asks you if you want to sign on for 2020. But how do you know if you should stay in your shithole flat, or risk it all for greener pastures? Surely not with this guide. Read more...

Critic Reviews More Drum and Bass

Posted 3:25am Friday 19th July 2019 by Alex MacKygee

Sachi (NZ) 10 July, Union Hall Sachi, named for that noise where you try and say ‘sup’ but end up sneezing, are an Auckland-based duo who have mastered melding groovy synth melodies with upbeat vocals. Possibly not the right concert for someone as old as me, which was a feeling Read more...

Students to Watch: Meg Goodman

Posted 1:53am Friday 19th July 2019 by Wyatt Ryder

Meg Goodman started baking around the same time she started to walk. In high school she was nicknamed ‘Cake Girl’, and she had queues of people eager for birthday cakes. Now she’s started her own business where she can put her skills towards good causes. Goodman Goodies has Read more...

A Meaningful Interview With Meaningful Confessions

Posted 11:34pm Thursday 11th July 2019 by Henessey Griffiths

“What does my super religious girlfriend and medicine have in common? I don't think I'll ever get in either of them,” is one of the latest confessions received by UoO: Meaningful Confessions. With over 17,000 likes on Facebook, the page was set up for students to anonymously Read more...

Students to Watch: Laura Anderson

Posted 11:30pm Thursday 11th July 2019 by Caroline Moratti

Laura Anderson found her passion in the most unusual of places, a university paper. While most of us slouch in the back of lectures on Facebook, or are even lucky if we attend the damn thing in the first place, Laura was busy listening and learning. Her 200-level politics paper about political Read more...

Students to Watch: Jess Thompson

Posted 11:39pm Thursday 4th July 2019 by Henessey Griffiths

“What’s in the blood? What’s in a name? A whenua split for Pākehā gain, a bone or a skull for museums to claim, continue to sing past abuse and the blame, we have to create to stay sane,” the Māori Mermaid sings. Jessica Thompson is an English and Art History Read more...

Which Dunedin Student Archetype Are You?

Posted 11:21pm Thursday 4th July 2019 by Critic

Breatha Probably called Josh, Luke or Tom A feen for the sesh Has four true loves: gear, D&B, piss, and the boys. Doesn’t fear God   ‘Alty’ Owns at least one pair of Nom*D socks Spotted at either Kiki Beware, Aika, or RdC “What gigs are on Read more...

Bespoke Quotes from Soaked Oats

Posted 11:19pm Thursday 4th July 2019 by Fox Meyer

When Oscar was a kid, he bumped ‘90s hip-hop. He ran on the sidewalks of St. Albans in Christchurch. Now, he’s in a band with three of his mates. You might’ve heard of them - Soaked Oats. Soaked Oats are the brains behind songs like “Avocado Aficionado” and Read more...

I Fucked a Fleshlight and it Was the Most Depressing 34 Minutes of My Life

Posted 6:25pm Thursday 13th June 2019 by Critic

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not out here trying to act like I’m some stud. A cute girl looks at my dick and it’ll go off like Mentos in a Coke bottle. But damn… this Fleshlight is. Not. The. Move. I’m a tried and true five finger veteran (at least 10 years of Read more...

A conversation with Tracey Crampton Smith, Otago’s Pagan chaplain

Posted 11:34pm Thursday 23rd May 2019 by Erin Gourley

Organised religion is fine, but you have to admit it’s clingy. There’s a lot of reading, a church with real walls (as opposed to a circle of salt on the ground), and convoluted hierarchies of people who tell you what to think. In contrast, Tracey Crampton Smith is the Read more...

Students to Watch | Aidan Barbour-Ryan

Posted 8:45pm Thursday 23rd May 2019 by Nina Minogue

In June last year, Aidan Barbour-Ryan set himself a personal challenge to run every day for a year. One month in, the 21-year-old marketing student decided that his challenge could benefit more people than just himself. Aidan decided that he would raise money to increase mental health and suicide Read more...

A Satanic Solution

Posted 7:16pm Thursday 23rd May 2019 by Owen Clarke

Click here for the mystery   “Chad, you son of a bitch!” you yell. “You said your vape had melon flavor, didn’t you? You worship the Great Melon King!” “Yeah that’s right, loser,” says Chad. “Melon’s my favorite flavor Read more...

Fish and Chips and Feminism with Clementine Ford

Posted 11:41pm Thursday 16th May 2019 by Erin Gourley

Clementine Ford is cool. During our Sunday afternoon interview, the feminist writer ordered fish and chips, gave me all of the chips, and offered me wine twice.  We launch right into rape culture on university campuses. “It’s always existed and people will try as hard as they can Read more...

Students to Watch | Adam Currie

Posted 11:40pm Thursday 16th May 2019 by Henessey Griffiths

Creating change and empowering others to do the same has been a key theme in Adam Currie’s life. Growing up in Nelson passionate about environmental issues, Adam moved to Dunedin for university. While also studying a mixture of politics and art, he is busy working as the co-convenor for Read more...

Flameboi: the Legend, the Lie

Posted 11:36pm Thursday 16th May 2019 by Nina Minogue

Hailed as New Zealander of the Year by Critic Booze Reviews, Flameboi rose to fame through spending $1,000 of his course-related costs on Flame beer. I caught up with the man, the myth, the legend himself, only to discover that his story was in fact an elaborate ploy. A Flameploi by Flameboi, if you Read more...

Dusty Dunedin Delicacies: Critic’s Guide to Hangover Food

Posted 11:34pm Thursday 16th May 2019 by Henessey Griffiths

Saturday night was wild. Kick ons went hard, but your mate’s party went harder. The night was fuzzy, but judging by the amount of seedy “up2 x” messages you sent and lack of cards in your wallet – it must’ve been a good night. You wake up on Sunday with a light amount Read more...

Critic Reviews Drum and Bass Gigs That Are Yet to Happen

Posted 1:27am Friday 10th May 2019 by Alex MacKygee

Christchurch and Dunedin have two intense rivalries dominated by sweaty men: that sports one, and then the one for the title of New Zealand’s Drum and Bass Capital. While nothing will quite match the vibe from hooning down the Four Avenues at 130kph (as I pour one out for FUSION Car Audio), Read more...

Students to Watch – Andrew Rudolph

Posted 12:29am Friday 10th May 2019 by Sinead Gill

Andrew Rudolph has done a lot in his time. After working in hospitality, banking, radio and human resources, he is now a third year Social Work student here at Otago. Alongside his studies, Andrew is also the secretary of the Dunedin Multi-Ethnic Council, the treasurer of Students Against Sexual Read more...

Can we all just admit that the Selwyn Ballet sucks?

Posted 8:51pm Thursday 9th May 2019 by Joel MacManus

At the 2019 Capping Show, the Selwyn Ballet will take to the stage for its 91st year. This year’s troupe got a warm-up on a big stage, performing for Forsyth Barr Stadium at the Highlanders game last week. The Selwyn Ballet is a large group of first year boys wearing tutus and excessive Read more...

Whatever Happened to Dane Rumble?

Posted 8:47pm Thursday 9th May 2019 by Henessey Griffiths

It’s May, which means it is officially New Zealand Music Month. New Zealand and the creative field of music go together like a bottle of Cleanskin and a BYO at India Gardens – terrifically. We have seen so many great musicians and bands come out of New Zealand who have shaped the Read more...

Students to Watch: Taylor Rose Terekia

Posted 10:09pm Thursday 2nd May 2019 by Henessey Griffiths

While Taylor-Rose Terekia is working hard to become the next Taika Waititi studying Indigenous Development, Film and Media Studies, and Marketing, she is also Tumuaki (President) of Te Roopū Maori. Her role involves providing support and community for Māori students at Otago, “in a Read more...

Michael Rose: Life in Biro

Posted 9:53pm Thursday 2nd May 2019 by Henessey Griffiths

Art has always been something Michael Rose has been drawn to, but he has recently found his niche in embroidery and pen illustration. “I enjoy the intricacies of these mediums, and the control that I am able to achieve with them. Control over my medium is particularly important to me as I have Read more...

Going Hard: The Rowing Club’s Paralympian Programme

Posted 7:09pm Thursday 2nd May 2019 by Oscar Francis

Down at the waterfront, where the University Rowing Club has monopolised the OUSA aquatic centre, every Monday evening an elite group of athletes push themselves to their limits and go beyond. “Special Olympics are more about doing it, rather than the result,” Glen, the manager of the Read more...

Superfly Superspy - The Conclusion

Posted 7:07pm Thursday 2nd May 2019 by Owen Clarke

Return to Superfly Superspy     “Lovestorm!” you yell, “this mission was top secret, but you said you knew I was ‘messing around with some Yakuza’. You betrayed me!” “Sorry, baby doll,” says Lovestorm, smirking. They slap a Read more...

Superfly Superspy

Posted 7:06pm Thursday 2nd May 2019 by Owen Clarke

Tokyo. 2019. Three men in suits sit around a wooden table in the dimly lit room. Lamplight reflects off the velvet curtains and the tattoos spidering up each man’s neck. They grin at each other, whispering evil things and just being bad guys in general. Each are clan leaders in the Yakuza, Read more...

The Best Places to Cry Around Uni: A Critic Investigation

Posted 6:50pm Thursday 2nd May 2019 by Phillip Plant

Those of you who know me, and that’s hardly anyone, will know that I am a master of rating things. As a serious investigative journalist, I have tirelessly devoted the past fortnight to unravelling the mysteries of crying places, otherwise known as “wet spots”. Also, I had a whole Read more...

Scarfie Flats of Dunedin with Sarah Gallagher

Posted 9:46pm Thursday 25th April 2019 by Henessey Griffiths

Flatting while studying is one of the most important parts of student life and flat names are a big part of Dunedin flatting culture. Near campus, there is an abundance of named flats, each with their own history. From Pink Flat The Door on Clyde Street, to Legendairy on Duke Street, each named flat Read more...

Students to Watch | James Heath

Posted 9:43pm Thursday 25th April 2019 by Henessey Griffiths

You may have seen his iconic black puffer jacket around campus, or his face on some election still in the Richardson building, but who is James Heath? Is he the vigilante hero we all need? Or is he secretly the admin behind UoO: Meaningful Confessions? Surprise! James is actually the President of Read more...

Thank You For Not Smoking: University of Otago Inspired Vape Flavours

Posted 9:23pm Thursday 25th April 2019 by Henessey Griffiths

We’re back with yet another vape article. Honestly, vaping is my favourite past time at the moment. When I was an avid smoker I thought I’d never be caught dead ripping a phat vape. But I’ve seen the light of day; now you’ll never catch me without my Smok Novo in hand. Vaping Read more...

Pole Dancing: Like Dancing, but on a Pole

Posted 9:14pm Thursday 25th April 2019 by Sophia Carter Peters

When I think ‘pole dancing’, I think a combination of  ‘strip club’ and those insane videos from ‘Somewhere’s Got Talent’, that defy the laws of gravity and human flexibility. What I ended up experiencing was somewhere in that spectrum, but also Read more...

Straight Out the Oven Cooked: King REX

Posted 9:09pm Thursday 25th April 2019 by Oscar Francis

The first time I saw King REX play live was at Inch Bar. The thing about Inch Bar is that I haven’t been to many good gigs there. Most of my memories of the venue are of sitting around, bored out of my mind, as greying men pluck away at ukuleles haphazardly and beat congas halfheartedly. King Read more...

Māori Meets Metal: Alien Weaponry

Posted 1:23am Friday 12th April 2019 by Sophia Carter Peters

The D&B that usually fills the Octagon is infiltrated by the intense throbbing of heavy metal as Alien Weaponry begin their set at 50 Gorillas. The seemingly flimsy double doors give way to a wave of deafening drums, intense riffs and language-swapping vocals. Packed to the rafters, Read more...

Students to Watch | Tanya Findlater: Thursdays in Black

Posted 6:06pm Thursday 11th April 2019 by Henessey Griffiths

CW: Sexual assault     Tanya Findlater is a Willowbank loving, third year Media Film and Communications student here at Otago. Aside from her studies, Tanya is also the head of Thursdays In Black at Otago, as well as a board member for Dunedin Pride. For Tanya, community Read more...

Which Degree has the Most Big Dick Energy?

Posted 6:01pm Thursday 11th April 2019 by Henessey Griffiths

Let’s make this clear; no degree is better than another because they’re all shit. However, some do tend to have more Bick Dick Energy than others. So what is Big Dick Energy? Many people have tried to find a definition for this ambiguous term but, for most, it simply means the Read more...

Students to Watch | Zoë Hayes and Anna Hendry – Rape Crisis

Posted 2:13am Friday 5th April 2019 by Oscar Francis

Zoë Hayes and Anna Hendry both wear a lot of hats. They both maintain a busy workload as they work towards their respective Masters degrees. They also work at Rape Crisis. Anna’s role is that of financial administrator. She’s studying full time towards her Master in Applied Read more...

Queers Do It Better: What We Can All Learn From Gay Sex

Posted 9:05pm Thursday 4th April 2019 by Anonymous

It's easy to think that being queer is all tragedy all the time, but it has upsides too. Being free from mainstream expectations around sex has made my life a whole lot better — and even if you're straight, it can help yours too. As a bisexual trans man, I've been pretty damn Read more...

Endo is My Safe Word: Having Sex With Endometriosis

Posted 9:00pm Thursday 4th April 2019 by Katie Plant

I didn’t expect that I’d be writing this directly after being excellently shagged by my incredible partner; thankfully I didn’t have to use my safe word. See, I have a problem. I love fucking my partner, and he loves fucking me, but my endometriosis loves fucking me over. While Read more...

Are You In A Relationship?

Posted 8:54pm Thursday 4th April 2019 by

Have you slept with them? In my dreams (1) Once or twice (2) A few times but wouldn’t say often (3) At least twice a week (4)   Do you stay the night? Definitely not - that’s a no go (1) Sometimes after a night on the piss (2) Most times but I leave Read more...

A Shitfest On Wheels: I Went For A Ride On On Te Roopū Māori’s Party Bus

Posted 11:40pm Thursday 28th March 2019 by Tukukino Royal

Soon the days of being acceptably trashed on a bus will be gone. According to my shit sources (Whatu and Zaine), these shitfests on wheels may be served the same fate as law camp. For years Te Roopū Māori (TRM, the Māori Students’ Association) have been running their bus trips Read more...

Students to Watch: Emily and Sophie Martin (AKA the Tasty.Twinsss)

Posted 11:36pm Thursday 28th March 2019 by Henessey Griffiths

Emily and Sophie Martin are two third year students at Otago. However, most people know them best as popular food Instagrammers Tasty.Twinsss. In their first year of Uni, Emily and Sophie created an Instagram account to share their love of food and places to eat around Dunedin. Now with 7,000 Read more...

Milpool

Posted 9:41pm Thursday 28th March 2019 by Henessey Griffiths

Have you ever wondered what it would sound like if Kate Bush covered Modest Mouse in a semi-ironic emo way? That is how the Dunedin band Milpool best describes their sound. Comprised of Adelaide Dunn on vocals, Tom Monaghan on guitar, Josh Howley on bass and Hamish Morgan on drums, Milpool has been Read more...

Ko Roimata, ko Hūpē ngā kaiutu i ngā patu a Aituā

Posted 9:38pm Thursday 28th March 2019 by Tama Tū

Kua heke iho a Roimata rāua ko Hūpē, kātahi ka puawai te aroha ki runga i te whenua nei. Ehara i te mea, he māmā noa te wiki kua pāhure mai nei. E tohaina ana āna kino, āna hūngeingei, āna mauāhara e Hātana i waenganui i te hunga ora. Read more...

Ketamine

Posted 9:37pm Thursday 28th March 2019 by Anonymous

Ketamine, You are a friend. A somewhat confusing friend. Your effect brings me everything and nothing, both the riddle and the answer for every question I never asked. You are different every time and every line, but in all these differences I find one similarity. The feeling I was searching Read more...

Too Ruff Too Tuff: Dunedin’s Bootleg Toy Maker

Posted 9:35pm Thursday 28th March 2019 by Henessey Griffiths

Abram Hunter has always been drawn to sci-fi and fantasy, and has been a collector of toys and action figures his whole life. But being a collector while studying is no cheap thrill, given the amount of money that figures can cost. He was at a crossroads. “Do I want to be one of those dudes Read more...

Towel Folding Tutorial: Penis

Posted 1:22am Friday 22nd March 2019 by Nina Minogue

If you rate your rolling ability, have started watching Marie Kondo on Netflix or just want to try something new, then I highly recommend you try towel folding. Through my extensive research, I’ve found towel folding a great way to relax, an excellent flat bonding activity and an impressive Read more...

Students to Watch | Cameron Jardell

Posted 6:55pm Thursday 14th March 2019 by Owen Clarke

Like most students at uni, Otago third year Cameron Jardell admits he just loves “getting high”. But Cameron isn’t taking bong rips out in the back room of his flat while eating nachos and playing Fortnite. He’s climbing mountains (though he might also be taking some major Read more...

The Top 10 WatchMojo Top 10 Videos

Posted 6:41pm Thursday 14th March 2019 by Henessey Griffiths

I have a confession to make. I watch at least one WatchMojo video every day. WatchMojo, a YouTube channel with over 20 million subscribers, is the pinnacle of shitty clickbait. Their videos focus on aspects of popular culture and analyse them through top 10 countdown lists. Their videos are Read more...

Pike ake, kake ake ki Te Māhia e!

Posted 6:37pm Thursday 14th March 2019 by Tama Tū

(brackets are Māori translations)     My head and body break the cloudy surface. A fear of drowning brings me up quickly. Blurred vision, and a salty gasp of air. I dive and I dive. Something erupts inside me and I roar triumphant! Flesh is goosebumped and muscle is defined Read more...

Best Study Cafes Around Here

Posted 6:14pm Thursday 7th March 2019 by Florence Dean

Sometimes when you’re studying, the concrete jungle called “central library” just doesn’t cut it. I don’t know about you, but I can’t study without noise. I’m not talking about people talking obnoxiously loudly (I’m looking at you second years on the Read more...

I Am Hope Was Weird

Posted 6:09pm Thursday 7th March 2019 by Henessey Griffiths

This year, Mike King was announced as Kiwibank’s New Zealander of the year for his work as a mental health advocate. New Zealand has one of the highest suicide rates in the OECD, and one in six New Zealanders are diagnosed with depression or anxiety, and having someone like King, who is Read more...

A Non-Political Chat with Chlöe Swarbrick

Posted 6:08pm Thursday 7th March 2019 by Henessey Griffiths

Chlöe Swarbrick – Green MP, advocate for mental health and drug reform, and just a great chat. Chlöe’s rise to fame came after she came third in the 2016 Auckland mayoral election. Following this, Chlöe began to work for the Green Party, becoming the youngest MP in New Read more...

Students to Watch | Rosette Hailes-Paku and Phoebe Lee

Posted 5:54pm Thursday 7th March 2019 by Henessey Griffiths

Rosette Hailes-Paku and Phoebe Lee have been selected as finalists for the iD Fashion International Emerging Designer Awards. Alongside thirty-three applicants from around the world, they will be showcasing five garments from their graduate collection during Dunedin’s iD Fashion Week. Read more...

The Shambles: For the Last Time

Posted 8:12pm Thursday 28th February 2019 by Esme Hall

The announcement that homegrown Dunedin band The Shambles are breaking up came as a shock to many people, but lead singer Max Gunn told Critic it’s an exciting evolution in the musicians’ careers. “The band is breaking up for very positive reasons,” said Max. Read more...

Students to Watch | Ala Ghandour

Posted 8:11pm Thursday 28th February 2019 by Henessey Griffiths

Community involvement has always been important to Ala, a Law and Genetics student here at Otago. “I have always been actively involved in the community in any way I could, in high school I was heavily involved with Amnesty International and since then I have been involved in heaps of Read more...