Archive

OUSA Referendum Results Are In

Posted 8:42pm Saturday 13th July 2024 by Nina Brown

The OUSA referendum was at the end of last semester. All enrolled Otago Uni students were emailed a link to an online survey to have their say on what OUSA should focus their efforts on. Questions were able to be submitted by students prior to being put to vote, and after some to and fro (with many Read more...

Daddy Grant Graces the Vice Chancellor’s Throne

Posted 8:36pm Saturday 13th July 2024 by Nina Brown

July 1st marked Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka’s freshly minted Vice Chancellor Grant Robertson’s first day on the job. The former OUSA President and Deputy Prime Minister has had a busy first couple weeks of welcomes, meetings, and media attention, telling the Uni Council at his first Read more...

OUSA Student Support Has New Digs

Posted 8:32pm Saturday 13th July 2024 by Gryffin Powell

OUSA Student Support shifted locations early last week, vacating its building on Ethel Benjamin (behind Clubs and Socs) and moving into the old National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies – a casualty of the University’s financial strain.  For those unfamiliar, OUSA Student Read more...

All Aboard the Contiki School Bus

Posted 8:30pm Saturday 13th July 2024 by Gryffin Powell

If seeing one more TikTok of Euro summer will send you over the edge, travel company Contiki has revealed they’re now offering ‘Contiki University’ branded trips, offering eight ‘courses’, each fit with a major and minor subject. Pretty sure this isn’t why Read more...

SPCA Investigates Claims of Expo Animal Abuse

Posted 6:59pm Saturday 13th July 2024 by Hanna Varrs

A recent ‘Exotic Pet Expo’ in the North East Valley has caused community uproar as allegations of false advertising and animal abuse pour in from community members. Organiser Amelia Seales, who has run the event twice before, has firmly denied any wrong-doing.  The expo, held on Read more...

OUSA Criticises Residential Tenancies Amendment Act

Posted 6:56pm Saturday 13th July 2024 by Hugh Askerud

The OUSA Student Exec recently submitted on the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill in opposition to its proposed introduction of no-cause evictions. It’s exactly what it sounds like: the bill would allow landlords to evict tenants without needing to give a reason. Critic Te Ārohi spoke Read more...

Student Exec Turn In Second Quarterly Reports

Posted 6:53pm Saturday 13th July 2024 by Hugh Askerud

Is it that time already? OUSA second quarterly reports are in (most of them), and we’re here to give you an insight into what our student dictators have been doing/not doing in the time you’ve been pilfering snacks from your parents' pantry. Buckle up for a rootin’ Read more...

Otago Uni Releases Statement on Free Speech

Posted 6:47pm Saturday 13th July 2024 by Hugh Askerud

In a flying start at his first Uni Council meeting last Tuesday, new Vice-Chancellor Grant Robertson (GRob for short) approved the ‘University of Otago Statement on Free Speech’. Free speech advocates have since come out calling it the “gold standard” of policies. The Read more...

Grant Robertson Begins Appointment as New VC

Posted 3:20pm Monday 1st July 2024 by Nina Brown

Today marks Grant Robertson’s official first day as the incoming Vice Chancellor for Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka.  Mana whenua hosted a pōwhiri for Grant at Ōtākou Marae this morning on Otago Peninsula, an event that OUSA President Keegan Wells noted saw some Read more...

Streaker Carnage Causes Nose Break

Posted 8:20pm Sunday 26th May 2024 by Gryffin Powell

Sources are keeping quiet in the wake of an ongoing legal proceeding involving an alleged broken nose at the hands of a streaker during the Highlanders vs Crusaders game on May 11th. Cracker of a Zoo turn-out, by the way.  At the game in question, 11 streakers took to the field, two of whom Read more...

Gone Rogue! Host Flat of Ball Wrecked

Posted 8:18pm Sunday 26th May 2024 by Harriette Boucher

A renowned Castle Street flat (let’s call them ‘The Elephant’*) were in shock after finding 14 smashed windows, pieces of their walls, heaters, and their fire alarm ripped out, in the wake of their annual ball.  The annual ball that has reportedly been running since 2015 Read more...

Otago Joins Nationwide Tertiary Palestine Protest

Posted 7:35pm Sunday 26th May 2024 by Hanna Varrs

Muslim Student Associations across Aotearoa New Zealand banded together last Thursday, May 23rd, to rally for Palestine. The rally is the brain-child of a meeting that took place in Wellington on the 12th of May, in which the presidents of Muslim Student Associations collectively decided on a Read more...

Night at the Museum: Hoedown After Dark

Posted 7:34pm Sunday 26th May 2024 by Hanna Varrs

On a cold, breezy night, Critic Te Ārohi strapped on RM Williams boots and Harry Styles-esque cowgirl hats and wandered on over to the biggest event the country folk of Dunedin have ever seen: the Hoedown After Dark, held by the Tūhura Otago Museum and OUSA.  Hosted from 7-10pm on Read more...

EXCLUSIVE! Salacious OUSA Exec Quotes

Posted 7:32pm Sunday 26th May 2024 by Hugh Askerud

It’s difficult to know what else lies behind the big green door of our OUSA overlords (exec). Love? Gossip? Rivalry? Sex? Murder? Armed with a pen, a notepad, and explicit orders from the editor to source a tabloid-worthy insider scoop, Critic Te Ārohi’s News Editor went to find out Read more...

Eggspiracy Afoot!

Posted 7:28pm Sunday 26th May 2024 by Jonathan McCabe

Students are concerned an eggspiracy is afoot after Farmer Brown launched a campaign selling eight packs of eggs in LEGO block shaped cartons. Concerns have also been raised about the environmental impact of the cartons, with student murmurs protesting the lack of environmental impetus the egg Read more...

Junior Doc Strikes Have Med Students “Concerned”

Posted 7:27pm Sunday 26th May 2024 by Hugh Askerud

Junior doctors across the country have been protesting harsh working conditions and pay cuts, much to the concern of med students about to enter the health sector. Lamenting government changes and the already brutally challenging circumstances, one student Emily* said she was “not sure how Read more...

Pending: Closed Captioned Lecture Recordings Policy

Posted 7:24pm Sunday 26th May 2024 by Nina Brown

Academic Rep Stella Lynch is rolling up her sleeves to advocate for a University of Otago policy that would make recordings with closed captions mandatory for all lectures, with exceptions in cases of privacy concerns. Her plan includes an impending consultation process for staff and students, and Read more...

Pint Night Cancelled to Student Uproar!

Posted 10:34pm Sunday 19th May 2024 by Gryffin Powell

The fiercely loyal Pint Night community were in shock last week after U-Bar staff announced that Pint Night would be cancelled. The announcement comes after U-Bar was closed on Wednesday the 8th of May, for “maintenance work and improvements.” U-Bar management have reported that they Read more...

Criminology Society Publish Petition Protesting Youth Bootcamps

Posted 10:32pm Sunday 19th May 2024 by Angus Rees

The Criminological Society of Otago (CSOO) has published a petition to the House of Representatives against the impending reintroduction of youth offender boot camps. CSOO is asking the government not to implement them, and “instead address the issues of inequality and deprivation that create Read more...

Ex-Critic Food Columnist Releases Cookbook

Posted 10:26pm Sunday 19th May 2024 by Harriette Boucher

Fuck, Alice Taylor can cook. The former Otago Uni student and Critic Te Ārohi food columnist turned chef released a baking book ‘Alice in Cakeland’ last month. This has come after Alice took a whirlwind journey from University, to Masterchef stardom, to cooking in some of the Read more...

Rip Scares Prompt Water Safety Advice

Posted 10:06pm Sunday 19th May 2024 by Sam Smith-Soppet

Dunedin is host to a swathe of beautiful swimming and surfing beaches. However, two recent stories of beach-going students’ near misses with rips have prompted local surf clubs to warn students to stay safe when swimming in the ocean.  Cam, a second-year Physio student, told Critic of Read more...

OUSA Referendum Incoming

Posted 10:03pm Sunday 19th May 2024 by Nina Brown

On May 27th, the OUSA Referendum will be up and running. Students will be sent the link to an online survey, giving you the ability to vote on matters close to home like accessibility, cost of living, academia, and recreation. It’s a bit like the Critic Census, but with lawyers and tangible Read more...

Cosy Dell Creeper Lurks Over to Queen

Posted 10:01pm Sunday 19th May 2024 by Hugh Askerud

The Cosy Dell Creepers are reportedly extending their range, with multiple sources confirming that the figure has been snooping around flats on Queen St. The figure has been reportedly sighted in locations near Prospect Park, a pitch-black field located on the end of Queen St, allegedly prompting a Read more...

North D Speed Cam Catches 207 in 30 Minutes

Posted 9:59pm Sunday 19th May 2024 by Gabrielle Scott

207 motorists were caught speeding in the span of 30 minutes in the North Dunedin area thanks to Transport Minister Simeon Brown’s targeted speed restriction plan. It was reported that almost seven speedsters were caught every minute to the dismay of Senior Sergeant Karl Read more...

Knox Spree of Lightbulb Thievery

Posted 3:07pm Sunday 19th May 2024 by Hugh Askerud

In Issue 11, Critic Te Ārohi received a heated letter to the editor from Knox students who were “pissed the fuck off” after a wave of lightbulb thieving had swept through the college. “If we keep running out of lightbulbs in our double a’s, who will host pres?” Too Read more...

Uni Denies Accusations of Artificial Bird Noises on Campus

Posted 3:04pm Sunday 19th May 2024 by Hanna Varrs

An Official Information Act request has revealed that the University does not, in fact, use artificial bird noises in its trees, putting an end to a long debate in the student community. Or has it. For context if you’re wondering what the fuck we’re talking about, you only need to Read more...

‘Let’s Get Accessible’ Reports Tertiary Ableism

Posted 3:01pm Sunday 19th May 2024 by Hugh Askerud

The ‘Let’s Get Accessible’ project mapping disabled students’ experiences has found that a whopping 60% had experienced exclusion or discrimination in the tertiary environment. The project was released in February before being updated this month to include new data from a Read more...

Business School Exam Errors Called Out

Posted 5:38pm Saturday 11th May 2024 by Gryffin Powell

Successive errors in finance paper mid-term exams in 2023 and 2024 have prompted the Business School to take “further action” to ensure they’re mistake-free in the future. While most students may experience one or two exam errors in their degree (hey, mistakes happen), for Commerce Read more...

Play for Palestine Charity Event Held By Te Rōpū Māori

Posted 5:34pm Saturday 11th May 2024 by Sophie Hursthouse

On Sunday the 5th of May, Te Rōpu Māori held the charity event ‘Play for Palestine’ in support of indigenous people in Pirihitia (Palestine) and the Middle East. Tauira (students) signed up in teams of ten to play touch rugby, volleyball, and kī-o-Rahi for the Read more...

Breaking: K-Hole Affects the P-Hole

Posted 5:28pm Saturday 11th May 2024 by Phoebe Lea

A clinical correspondence in the New Zealand Medical Journal has revealed that recreational ketamine use can lead to irreversible bladder damage. In other words, too many keys of ket can lead to pee problems in the future.  Ketamine Bladder Syndrome (KBS) includes a range of conditions such Read more...

‘Cosy Dell Creepers’ Still at Large

Posted 5:23pm Saturday 11th May 2024 by Harriette Boucher

A spate of incidents in Cosy Dell is making students feel unsafe in their own flats, as speculation suggests there could be more than one ‘Cosy Dell Creeper’ on the street. Despite the installation of security cameras and police activity, students have still reported feeling unsafe, with Read more...

Midnight Marathoners for Charity

Posted 5:05pm Saturday 11th May 2024 by Hugh Askerud

In a joint venture between the ski club (OUSSC) and canoe club (OUCC), and one lonely member of the bike club (OUBC), on Sunday May 5th a group of 30 students competed in the Red Bull event Wings for Life, a global charity run.  The group’s run was part of the global 2024 Wings for Read more...

Open Letter Penned in Solidarity with Palestine

Posted 5:02pm Saturday 11th May 2024 by Hugh Askerud

Lecturers are calling on their students to stand up in protest against the brutal suppression of anti-Israeli protests in the USA. The call comes in the form of an open letter addressed to the University of Otago, which aims to secure a pledge of solidarity with students and faculty from multiple Read more...

‘Wellness Hub’ Set to Drop in Place of Campus Shop

Posted 4:58pm Saturday 11th May 2024 by Hugh Askerud

The University of Otago is stepping up its mental health game, announcing that the area which was once Campus Shop South will be turned into a ‘Wellness hub’ for student use. Currently under development by contractors, once open the hub will both supplement and unify the range of Read more...

Spenny Flights Affect Homesick Students

Posted 4:54pm Saturday 11th May 2024 by Molly Smith-Soppet

Unaffordable domestic flights are keeping some homesick Otago students firmly in Dunedin in the upcoming break. A combination of increased domestic fares across the board and already steep peak ticket prices may mean the North Dunedin boomers are stuck with us over the winter break. On April Read more...

OUSA Exec Times Gives Critic Te Ārohi the Boot

Posted 4:48pm Saturday 11th May 2024 by Hugh Askerud

Feuds are unwinding in the student community after the OUSA executive released ‘The Exec Times’, an Instagram news bulletin literally doing the job Critic Te Ārohi is designed to. The first edition dropped on May 2nd – on a Thursday, no less! – introduced to students Read more...

The Haast Eagle’s Back, And Her Name is Gloria

Posted 4:45pm Saturday 11th May 2024 by Hanna Varrs

If you think you’re good at paper mache: no you’re not. That’s unless your name is Maleah and you’re a third-year Gender Studies student. Critic Te Ārohi interviewed this paper mache whizz following a news tip in the form of a photograph depicting Maleah and her Read more...

Man Breaks into Flat to Rap

Posted 4:43pm Saturday 11th May 2024 by Adam Stitely

A Great King Street complex flat’s Thursday evening was abruptly interrupted on April 25th when an unwanted (rather intoxicated) visitor by the name ‘Strike’ knocked on their door. Under the assumption he was known to one of his flatmates, one of the residents let him in. What Read more...

Reduced Grad Programmes a Cause for Concern

Posted 8:27pm Sunday 5th May 2024 by Gryffin Powell

Recent cuts by the National-led coalition government to public service graduate programmes have left some students fearful over job prospects after uni.  The National-led coalition has been trying to reduce government debt since coming to power last year, and while this reduction is being Read more...

Salmond Fresher Catches Leith Fish With Bare Hands

Posted 8:25pm Sunday 5th May 2024 by Angus Rees

A Salmond College fresher successfully caught (and released) a massie trout in the Leith River a couple weeks ago. Johan Lokman, the resident who made the catch, reported the joys of his new-found hall clout in an interview with Critic Te Ārohi. Johan had been walking back to Salmond from Read more...

Locals HQ Encourages Second-Years to Leave the Nest

Posted 8:23pm Sunday 5th May 2024 by Sam Smith-Soppet

Locals, the hall for the hall-less, has issued a notice stating that “HQ is open to first-years only” after being inundated by a swathe of older students in recent years.  For those who don’t know, Locals is a collegiate community at Otago Uni for first-year students who Read more...

Cap Quietly Removed on Sea Lion Trawling Deaths

Posted 8:00pm Sunday 5th May 2024 by Kaia Kahurangi Jamieson

On the 8th of April, the decision to completely remove the country’s Fishing-Related Mortality Limit (FRML) for rāpoke (sea lions) was quietly released on the Ministry for Primary Industries’ website with a 16-page consultation document. The FRML sets the maximum number of Read more...

Mud Wrestling Warms Queen St Flat

Posted 7:57pm Sunday 5th May 2024 by Nina Brown

A Queen Street flat has elevated the flat warming game after holding a WWE-esque mud wrestling match to a cheering crowd of about 40 on Saturday, April 27. A couple days later, Critic Te Ārohi sat down with the brains and brawn of the event, fourth-years Ben and Robbie, for the inside Read more...

University Targets Students in Push for ‘Net Carbon Zero’ Goal

Posted 7:55pm Sunday 5th May 2024 by Hugh Askerud

Otago University’s Sustainability Office is extending an invite to students for support and feedback as it drives towards ‘Net Carbon Zero’ by 2030. The office is looking to expand its efforts through several engagement sessions with students that aim to reflexively inform and Read more...

Foreign Object Found in $4 Lunch

Posted 7:51pm Sunday 5th May 2024 by Hugh Askerud

OUSA CEO Debbie Downs reported to the Exec at their meeting last Tuesday that a “small sharp foreign object” had been found in a student’s $4 lunch on April 18th. OUSA Prez Keegan was distraught – soup day is her favourite day. The Exec also expressed their concerns for the Read more...

Otago Uni Launches New Brand

Posted 11:27am Wednesday 1st May 2024 by Nina Brown

Otago University officially launched its new brand at a dawn ceremony last Wednesday morning on May 1st, unveiling the new tohu (symbol) and reo Māori name Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka on the St Dave’s plinth to a crowd of around 300. The event had a number of speakers from the Uni and Read more...

Students Not Convinced By Government’s ‘Pet-Bond’ Policy

Posted 10:28pm Friday 26th April 2024 by Gryffin Powell

In a spate of new changes to renting legislation, the National coalition Government announced a new pet bond policy which claims that it will make rentals easier to find for pet owners. The pet bond of two weeks of rent aims to make landlords more accepting of the risk of letting a pet live at their Read more...

Trojan Cafe Locks Their Toilet to Students

Posted 9:56pm Friday 26th April 2024 by Angus Rees

Everyone’s favourite post-town one-stop-kebab-shop Trojan Cafe has broken hearts (and bladders) after students noticed a questionable policy preventing customers from using its bathrooms. It’s almost like they want us to piss in public.  The problem was outlined in a UoO Read more...

Changes to DCC Waste Management Loading

Posted 9:54pm Friday 26th April 2024 by Abbie Williams

A Critic Te Ārohi investigation into waste management has uncovered that unlicensed rubbish bags are being taken by collectors. This comes after we sniffed around allegations that students have been storing piles of rubbish in wait of July 1st when DCC will be rolling out their new rubbish Read more...

Re-O Comes to Queen St

Posted 9:48pm Friday 26th April 2024 by Hugh Askerud

Re-O could see a Queen St spin-off after an announcement on the QUEEN/GEORGE 24 Facebook group was met with fierce support from the University’s third-year community. The admin of the page stated that it would be “an awesome opportunity for us…to send off those leaving this year! Read more...