debate issue 12, 2010

issue 12 2010 i

a Look inside Manukau Campus

issue 12 may 2010

Youtube debate

birds of tokyo interview

Tdrawing competition

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12 pm -1 pm, Monday 31 May WC202, AUT University City Campus

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Please bring your student id card to present when completing sign in record.

issue 12 2010

on the cover Illustration by Laura Hawkins editor Samantha McQueen samantha.mcqueen@aut.ac.nz

AUT (Inc.)

designer Nonavee Dale nonavee.dale@aut.ac.nz

printer PMP Print Ltd.

sub editor Jared Van Huenen debate intern Jess Cann design intern Samantha McSkimming contributors Victor Abbott | Mike Atkins | Jo Barker | Talia Blewitt | Anna Butler | Alicia Crocket | Vinny Francesco | Tenani French | Brittany Graham | Laura Hawkins | Benjamin Hope | Hayley Jacobsen | Lydia Jarman | Zoe Kitson | Elana Kluner | Frazer MacDonald | Rocky Mak | Sacha Molloy | Katie Montgomerie | Scott Moyes | Veronica Ng Lam | Michelle Pollock | John Probert | Heather Rutherford | Catherine Selfe | Mystery Shopper | Karan Singh | Tamsyn Solomon | Amelia Wade | Matiu Workman advertising contact Kate Campbell kate.campbell@aut.ac.nz publisher AuSM – Auckland Student Movement @

issue 12 may 2010

all rights reserved This publication is entitled to the full protection given by the Copyright Act 1994 (“the Act”) to the holders of the copyright, being AUCKLAND STUDENT MOVEMENT AT AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED (“AuSM”). Reproduction, storage or display of any part of this publication by any process, electronic or otherwise (except for the educational purposes specified in the Act) without express permission is a break of the copyright of the publisher and will be prosecuted accordingly. Inquiries seeking permission to reproduce should be addressed to AuSM. disclaimer Material contained in this publication does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of AuSM, its advertisers, contributors, PMP Print or its subsidiaries.

DEBATE IS A MEMBER OF:

5 Editorial 6 Letters 7 Creative Corner 8 News 10 Sports 12 Prez Sez 13 YouTube Debate 14 How To / Recipe 15 Hey Bro! AUT vs. UofA 16 Ginger-itis 17 When The Rain Stops Falling 18 Manukau Campus 19 Manukau AuSM Profiles 20 Manukau Events 22 Superhero Drawing

Competition 23 Columns 26 Agony Aunt / Website of the Week 27 Suggestions/Horoscopes 28 Fashion 29 What are you Wearing / Retail Review 30 Reviews 33 Spot the Difference 34 Micro-celebs

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ou have reached the three month milestone in your debate relationship. It’s hard to believe this is the 12th date we have been on. It’s been quite a journey so far. It started off back in February (yeah, it seems like a lifetime ago) where spirits were high from sunsoaked endorphins, minds were eager and the promise of change was in the air. The first few issues, much like first dates, were filled with awkwardness as boundaries were formed and comfort zones were pushed, but also moments of pure joy as you realised with a sudden conviction, “yes, I could settle down with debate”. Maybe this epiphany happened while you were hunched over in your lecture seat, chuckling at an article on elevator etiquette.

Perhaps it was when you were in your kitchen, adding the finishing touches to a perfect batch of vegetarian chilli you stumbled upon in these very pages. Or was it when you took debate home to meet the parents, after you featured in one of the many photo spreads?

There are still secrets you don’t know about debate. debate can’t stand cold pizza, is partially superstitious and enjoys a good old fashioned road trip. Cold nights are spent wrapped in a dressing gown while indulging in trashy rom-coms that should never have been made. This last activity of vegeing out at home with a few DVDs has taken prominence in many students’ lives this past week after the lashing we’ve had weather wise. We’re so far into the relationship that I can talk about the weather in a casual conversation, and not as an excuse to fill empty voids of silence. And let’s face it, 99.9 per cent of you are guilty of committing the “weather conversation” crime. How could you not, when phrases like “weather bomb” were being thrown around the news.

There is a sense of hype that comes from the term “weather bomb”. It’s designed to freak people out. Gone are the days of simple storms and downpours; everything needs to sound dramatic and terrifying. A downpour is a “monster”, wind doesn’t blow, it lashes, and weather officials warn people to check their survival kits and update their emergency plans. Do any of you even have emergency plans in place that extend beyond skipping your classes to stay dry indoors? I don’t, apart from a few ice-cream containers handy in case the roof leaks (and let’s be honest, a lot of student flats will). It would be handy to have some emergency supplies stashed away – imagine the chaos if Auckland flooded like Oamaru?

For those who are new to winter in Auckland, I warn you now; it doesn’t get any better for another four months. Get used to toting around an umbrella, raincoat (in case it’s too windy for umbrellas), waterproof shoes and both warm and light jackets, because there are more “four seasons in one day” to come. While we are all crying out for heat pumps, dry clothes and insulation, we still have to drag our sodden feet across campus for a couple more weeks. We had an unseasonably good run of nice weather this year, and now we have to sit back and let the cold and the wet wash over us.

At least we have each other though.

Sam

RECEPTION City Campus Level 2, WC Building 921 9805 8am-5 pm Mon-Thurs 8am-3.30pm Fri North Shore Campus Level 2, AS Building 921 9949 8.30am-3pm Mon-Fri Manukau Campus MB107 921 9999 ext 6672 9am-3:30pm Mon-Thurs MANAGEMENT Sue Higgins General Manager 921 9999 ext 5111 sue.higgins@aut.ac.nz REPRESENTATION Veronica Ng Lam AuSM Student President 921 9999 ext 8571 vnglam@aut.ac.nz ADVOCACY Nick Buckby Liaison Manager 921 9999 ext 8379 nick.buckby@aut.ac.nz MARKETING Rebecca Williams Marketing Manager 921 9999 ext 8909 rebecca.williams@aut.ac.nz EVENTS Barry Smith Events Team Leader 921 9999 ext 8931 barry.smith@aut.ac.nz MEDIA Samantha McQueen Publications Co-ordinator 921 9999 ext 8774 samantha.mcqueen@aut.ac.nz SPORTS Melita Martorana Sports Team Leader 921 9999 ext 7259 melita.martorana@aut.ac.nz VESBAR Zane Chase Vesbar Manager 921 9999 ext 8378 zane.chase@aut.ac.nz For a full list of contact details plus profiles of AuSM staff and student executive visit: www.ausm.org.nz

issue 12 may 2010

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e t et

Letter of the week:

Hello Debate I gotta say, reading the article on smoking Vs non smoking was interesting. The non smoking side I did not like. The smoking side I did. We should NOT make AUT smoke free. Do you want to be sheep and baa baa follow AU? Thought they were our enemy? The idea of banning smoking on the entire AUT campus is stupid - what is Vesbar going to do when their smokers have to walk to the road to have a quick puff? If you take away the right to smoke, you take away free will and choices, isn’t that against one of the fundamental rights of humans? Well at least according to the Bible it is. If you ban smoking its just going to piss people off. To paraphrase Supersize Me, why is it ok to heckle smokers, but its against the norm to hassle a fat person?

I mean do you walk into fast food places and give all the fat people eating their Super Sized Hunger Buster’s a dirty look and tell them there going to die? Obesity is on the rise yet do you see the government raising fast food prices or putting a ban on how much people can eat?

Obesity kills nearly as many as smoking and yet no one bats

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debate letters policy:

want more! Send Yay, we got mail! But we azine. What mag the on ghts thou r us you ersity? What univ at rs gea r you ding is grin tell us your of? e mor see to t wan do you k will win two thoughts! Letter of the wee Cinemas! tY SkYcI for ets tick movie

an eye. And that effects our kids more than smoking. Smokers know what there doing is bad for them, they don’t need to be harassed about it by you non smokers.

Anon Let’s face it; it’s pretty obvious Auckland Uni is kicking our asses in one major department: the letter-writing one. When I go sneak over to AU and infiltrate their masses like a sneaky little infiltrating-thing, I frequently pick up their student magazine, Craccum. In fact, I now make the habit of picking it up every week, along with AUT’s debate.

Twice the reading fun. I believe AUT is awesome-we have a cosier atmosphere, our buildings are newer and better, and WE HAVE FREE FEEDS ON THURSDAYS. word. Thank you, Ausm........ our student association is called AUSM!!! I mean, c’mon. Also, it is not so mind-numbingly confusing to find classes-or even whole buildings-as it is at Auckland Uni. Smaller class sizes are also a plus. AUT is lacking in pride, and that includes letter-writing.

Bizarre and entertaining rants in Craccum are the best part of that magazine, in my opinion. Why don’t we do the same here?! We

Letters longer than 250 words may be subject to editing. Letters are printed as they are received – spelling and grammar will not be corrected. All letters must be in before 12pm Wednesday.

The editor reserves the right to decline letters without explanation. the views contained on the letters page do not necessarily represent the views of AuSM. Send your letters to PO Box 6116, Wellesley St or debate@aut.ac.nz

need to show those grammatically correct (in name only) biatches across Albert Park....having an extra University in our name makes us MORE AWESOME!!!! (maybe) S P.S. to Debate, I love Jared van Huenen’s articles, the fashion pages and the recipes. I don’t mind the lack of colour too much, but I wouldn’t mind the use of more sophisticated-looking layouts...

Dear Debate, The article in the last magazine called “Top 10 AUT Hidden Gems” would have been better off being called “Top 10 Hidden Lumps of Coal.”

Not the sexy shiny high grade coal but the powdery poo pellet looking kind that doesn’t even have the decency burn as well as the said poo.

Don’t do that again...... Ever!

Remember I know where you work.

Jaze.

Dear “Objectively Thinking Male” or as I like to call it - “Pussy” First of all thank you for replying, its nice to see a bit of argu-

ment between uni students.

Secondly judging by your response you’re one of two things - 1. whipped, or 2. a pansy. Real men should not be jumping to defend women - real men assert their authority. Of course I didn’t sign my name to it, do you really expect me to risk being attacked by hordes of Comms students? Yes to me it is a good idea to put them in their place. Look at the animal kingdom, excluding spiders, seahorses and penquins - we’re only talking mammals here. Do you really expect a male lion to roll over and let the lioness rule? I think not! I do happen to think women should be kept at home - better that they tend to what they were programmed for and is in their DNA - cooking, cleaning, making kids/looking after them. Yes they do owe us something, why should we have to make up for the fact that they ain’t as good as us? Not our fault God made them that way. I love women, but I love them for what they can do for me, not what I can do for them. Maybe you need to find your balls wherever you left them and harden up True Red Blooded Male

Do you consider yourself a bit of an artist?

Do you want to get your work out there for everyone to see?

Well now you can! Don’t worry if words are your paintbrush, short stories/poems are literary masterpieces are also eligible.

Email your works of art to debate@aut.ac.nz

Promiscuous Pear: Part Four

by Elana Kluner

Pear, Veronica and Maven jumped out of their seats. The audience roared in cheer as the concert began. The singer appeared through a pile of smoke, singing the girls’ favourite song. They sang and danced along to the music. Halfway through the song, the dancers appeared on stage in extravagant costumes. Pear’s heart started to race when she took notice of the hottest dancer. A bboy, as she previously learned. Veronica and Maven glanced over at Pear and noticed she was ‘googly-eyed’ over him.

“Do you need help wiping that drool off your face Pear?” Maven joked.

“His name’s Spins.”

As soon as Pear responded, Spins was proving his name. He was centre stage spinning on his head. Pear had never seen anything like it. The crowd went crazy. Pear asked the girls if that was called bboying and Veronica said yes. She had taken a bboying class once at her gym, but she let Pear know that it wasn’t as extreme as Spins.

It was called ‘break dance for beginners’.

The show went on. New songs were sung and more amazing costumes graced the stage. Even though all of this was going on, Pear couldn’t keep her eyes off Spins. She was mesmerised by the way he moved. His pearly white smile could be seen by the last row, but Pear felt like he was smiling right at her.

Towards the end of the concert, the singer brought each dancer on stage, individually, to introduce them and let them ‘do their thing’. Each one of them was so talented. Spins was last and he entered the stage doing all sorts of flips. He was definitely a crowd

favourite. At the end of his dance, he took the microphone from the singer. Veronica’s and Maven’s jaws dropped and Pear said ‘oh my god’ in nervous anticipation.

“Does he sing?” Maven asked.

“I don’t know,” Pear said with a terrified smile.

Spins greeted the crowd and said he had a question to ask them.

He put his hand in his pocket and started to pull something out.

“My mom always told me that an apple a day keeps the doctor away and that I should keep eating them if I want to be the strongest dancer I could be.”

The crowd giggled and cheered.

“But I think…”

Spins pulled a pear out of his pocket. “…that this might be better for me. What do you guys think?”

Veronica and Maven started screaming and hugging Pear. Pear froze in shock but it didn’t stop her smile from creeping across her face and a flush of red tinting her cheeks. The whole crowd started cheering, even though they had no clue what Spins was on about.

That’s the great thing about concerts.

To be continued…

A Step Outside, Tamsyn Solomon

issue 12 may 2010

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Mixed messages for tertiary students after Budget 2010 announced

by Talia Blewitt The tertiary sector has fallen victim to what is “essentially a funding cut” from National’s Budget 2010 announcement, according to Green MP and tertiary spokesman Gareth Hughes.

The budget came two weeks after students were hit with a $50 administration fee on their student loans.

“They can’t change the interest [free loans] because that’s so popular, so really it’s interest by stealth,” says Hughes.

Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce says the opposite is true.

“We’ll spend over $4 billion in tertiary education over the next 12 months and will lend out well over $1 billion in student loans. This is very generous by international standards,” says Joyce.

President of the Auckland University Students’ Association (AUSA) Elliot Blade says initially he did not think the budget was that bad.

“The way they did it was quite subtle, until we crunched some numbers and realised it was the worst budget in a long time,” says Blade.

The student president says the move to raise GST will hurt students more than others and tax cuts will not make a difference.

AUSA calculates students may be slightly better off each week, but then need to take in to consideration the extra $50 fee which they will see on their student loan statement.

New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA) president David Do says the fee was presented as the end of student debt, when really it is simply forcing students to borrow more.

Joyce says the “average borrower who remains in New Zealand pays off their loan in about four years”.

“I was lucky to have been at university at a time

when student loans weren’t an issue. I finished studying in 1982; I would have paid my loan off long ago,” reflects the minister.

Some scholarships have also been cut. Blade says National’s discussions were clearly not across the board and they had a “monetary, fiscal focus”.

“Not every institute is the same,” says Blade.

Hughes says because the Green Party is the opposition it does not have the power to change policies but it can keep bringing the issue up in parliament and in the media.

“Students are encouraged to write to the PM, write to the tertiary MP,” says Hughes. “The tertiary sector is an investment in our future, particularly with the recession, where employers are calling for quality and that piece of paper.”

Hughes says the intention was probably to improve the quality of degrees in New Zealand with the 50 per cent pass/fail rate.

However, he says this will have a roundabout effect as tutors and lecturers will pass more students to qualify for funding, which in turn will effectively “dumb down” our degrees.

Certain students with special circumstances will not be able to get help and will slip through the cracks, he adds.

“You’ve got a student that hasn’t been able to do so well at university for a year or two because of personal reasons, and then they no longer get access to the student loan because of the pass rate,” says Hughes.

“The student allowance already deals with that, you can’t take away the loan.”

Joyce appears to disagree, saying, “Kiwi students who work hard to complete their study have absolutely nothing to fear from these policy changes”.

But Hughes admits students are getting a better deal than overseas counterparts as New Zealand contributes more than 40 per cent of its tertiary budget to student support. He does not agree with how the minister is framing the issue.

“Joyce is portraying this as a generous gesture to ungrateful students,” says Hughes.

Do agrees the government is dressing up the increased number of institutions getting funding, but this is “offset by a cut for many institutions”.

Joyce reasons this year’s budget “will see money reprioritised and reinvested back into more places for students”.

“The savings enable us to purchase 1735 additional full-time places at universities and 3173 extra full-time places at polytechs and institutes of technology than previously budgeted, to respond to demand,” he says.

Yet Do says Otago and Victoria had to stop accepting admissions for the year and probably the next.

He also says the budget does not address the ‘brain drain’ problem, where skilled graduates head overseas.

“The simple way to look at it is, most students borrow, two thirds are not eligible for a loan, the fee maxima has been taken off so fees will rise, the quality of education will be questioned. Essentially, funding has been constrained,” says Do. Asked if he agrees many students are stuck between a rock and a hard place, Joyce flatly says “no”.

“New Zealand operates a very generous student support scheme by world standards; indeed it is the most generous in the developed world.”

Do believes students need to pressure government so it will know how important tertiary education is.

AUT student and sister put their walking shoes on for a good cause

by Brittany Graham Two North Shore sisters are set to walk 430km to raise awareness for an international women’s cause.

AUT student, Katie Perkins, 21, and her younger sister Johanna, 20, are planning to walk from Auckland to Cape Reinga in September to raise awareness for obstretic fistula.

Obstretic fistula is a condition that comes from internal damage caused by prolonged obstructed labour in childbirth. It is common in third world countries.

The sisters decided to do the walk after attending a women’s ministry night held at their church where Deb Fabrin from the Leaking Women of Africa fund spoke.

Johanna says, “after hearing about obstetric fistula and the stories of young girls going to great lengths to seek help, we both felt a tug at our hearts to do something”.

The sisters, who are both recovering from knee injuries, are doing the walk

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from September 5-20.

The walk represents the long journey tens of thousands of suffering women have made in an effort to seek help.

Dr Vivien Wong a senior obstetrics and gynaecology registrar says the condition results in women being faced with a life of permanent incontinence.

“Women with these conditions are ostracised because they develop urinary and fecal incontinence leading to social isolation, relationship break-down, malnutrition and death is not uncommon,” Wong says.

The walk is raising money for Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia, which takes these women in and gives them the surgery they need to be healed from their condition.

The girls have set up Facebook and Twitter groups for people to join and support them. They have named their journey ‘Sisters Walk for Beautiful.’

War reporting seminar highlights dangers of being a journalist

by Amelia Wade and Lydia Jarman

AUT was host to the third war reporting conference last week where staff, students, guests and some famous faces heard about the un-changed dangers of being a war journalist.

The event started at 4.30pm with the screening of Balibo, an eye-opening film about the deaths of five journalists in East Timor in 1975.

After, Mike McRoberts, from TV3, and four others were seated as a panel and discussed their experiences and views of the safety of journalists reporting war.

McRoberts, who had just returned from reporting the conflict in Bangkok, said there is simply nothing being done for the safety of New Zealand journalists. “[When we’re away] I am jealous of the Australians and their 16-point Journalist Safety Code,” he said.

AUT staff member lifts bronze medal at Oceania champs

by Matiu Workman

Niue’s two weightlifters at the Commonwealth Games this year Daniel Nemani and Narita Viliamu may well be jostling for their country’s first medal.

Super heavyweight Daniel Nemani hit top form to finish third in the South Pacific division at the Oceania Weightlifting Championships held in Suva earlier this month.

“I was recovering from an injury and trying not to get another injury, and then when I saw I was in third position I was very happy,” Nemani says.

The AUT senior fitness instructor also recovered from a horrific elbow injury suffered in May last year to qualify for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi later this year.

He has since had corrective surgery and is now preparing for three gruelling months overseas with a coach.

Chef de mission for the Niuean delegation Alan Tano says if he were to win a medal it would be “huge for Niue”.

Only five countries from the South Pacific have won medals at the games.

But he was hopeful for Nemani, whom he labelled “a potential athlete who can do better at these games”.

“I am sure come game time he will set his new personal best.”

Nemani was realistic about his ambitions, singling out a top six finish as his goal. “[But] in the sport of weightlifting we never know until the last lift is completed.”

Also in the hunt is Viliamu, whom Tano calls “super girl”. She will also compete in the super heavyweight division. She is currently training fulltime with her coach Paul Coffa in Noumea.

The Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India is scheduled for October 3 to 14.

Chris Cramer from Reuters, New York explained to the audience that 27 people associated with the media have died in conflict so far this year.

David Robie, Associate Professor and director of AUT’s Pacific Media Centre, has witnessed conflict in Africa and the Pacific, and said the 200-strong audience turnout was like nothing he had ever seen before during his eight years at AUT. “A lot more people will now think about this disturbing issue. Gone forever are the Hollywood portrayals of journalists under fire,” Robie said.

Robie also mentioned the New Zealand media managements have not been taking this issue seriously enough, and this is “at their peril”.

McRoberts agreed, saying it would be a relatively

simple problem to address, taking only about five phone calls between the major New Zealand news organisations.

The conference was also the launch for a special “war reporting” edition of Pacific Journalism Review, which publishes research articles about the safety and protection of journalists in war.

Student journalist Sarah Knowles said after watching the seminar she now has a new career option. “[The conference] really inspired me to be a war reporter, but also highlighted the dangers and made me realise the scary reality.”

AUT student’s band jams their way to a spot on Indie Music “mix tape”

by Hayley Jacobsen

An AUT student and her band Hello Riley have won a spot in a music compilation through the first Indie Mix Tape competition in New Zealand.

With 40 finalists, Hello Riley was voted eighth when the competition closed on Sunday, May 23, which means their song Summer Day is going to be included in a compilation on USB and vinyl with the other 11 winners.

Peta Edmonds, a third year Bachelor of Communications student, says she is “uber stoked” with being voted eighth as the top three were already established bands.

“We get to be on a compilation with Bear Cat and they are amazing!”

Edmonds, 20, was excited to have made it to the top 40 entries in New Zealand, particularly because Hello Riley is an all-girl three-piece band.

“We haven’t entered our first song we recorded into a competition like this before, so it would be a first step.

And people can be like ‘hey, what’s

this? Hey, it’s three girls! Hey, they can play an instrument, wow!’” she says.

Edmonda is the lead singer and acoustic guitarist, with Auckland University visual arts student Catherine Ellis, 19, as the lead guitarist, and Howick College student Carlie Dyer, 17, as the drummer.

The Indie Mix Tape competition is run by MusicHy.pe in conjunction with New Zealand music month.

Mike Penhall, music guide from MusicHy.pe, says the indie music industry in New Zealand is incredibly strong.

“We’re hoping our role with this competition will be to direct people to some of this great music that indie artists are recording in New Zealand.

Promoting local artists can only be a good thing,” he says.

Edmonds says the girls do not have any particular bands that influence them as they do not write about “normal” things such as love, relationships and heartbreak.

“We write about dreams, traffic,

and a computer, but it all sounds like we’re talking about a person. I don’t think we sing about love because we truly haven’t experienced it because we’re young. And if we have it’s not to the degree where we could write a whole song about it,” she says.

Regardless of what happens in this particular competition the girls hope to travel and play music together.

“I don’t want to just go out and see the world, I want to see the world with the girls and play music to people that aren’t just in New Zealand. That would be the ultimate goal,” Edmonds says.

She also explains it is not about money or fame for them.

“It’s for me giving the world the talent you were given.”

The idea for a music compilation on USB follows the release of The Mint Chicks’ Bad Buzz album on a limited edition, and specially designed, USB. For more information on this, and the Indie Mix Tape competition, visit www.musichype.com.

Students ripped off by shrinking clothes

by Anna Butler

Shrinking dresses are leaving students feeling “ripped off” despite following specific instructions to hand wash in cold water.

University student José Missen was “annoyed and frustrated” when she discovered her new dress had shrunk after one wash, despite following the washing instructions.

“My dress ended up un-wearable and being a tall person it’s hard to find dresses that are of a tasteful length as it is,” Missen says.

This may be caused by manufacturers taking “short cuts” according to a textile expert.

Sandra Heffernan head of textile design at Massey University in Wellington says this could be caused by manufacturers taking “short cuts”.

“Some manufacturers are using cheaper fabrics and not pre-shrinking before printing and dying,” she says.

AUT student Aleisha Clark felt “ripped off” when she had three dresses shrink.

issue 12 may 2010

All were from different stores and all with different fabric make-ups on the labels and all recommended a cold hand wash. None of the dresses had warnings about possible shrinkage.

She knows of several others who have had similar problems, including her flatmate Georgina Maguire, who decided to return one of her shrunken dresses.

“I took one of my dresses back recently and they happily exchanged it for a bigger size which shrank back down to the size I needed, but then continued to shrink.”

Georgina says it has made her more aware when shopping.

“It’s concerning because how do you know if anything you’re going to buy is going to be good quality.”

The dresses were either made of either polyester blends, viscose or rayon and cotton blends. All were made in China.

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UofA student badly burnt after unattended cooking disaster

by Sacha Molloy Shrimp chips were on the menu at an Onehunga flat until a University of Auckland student landed himself in hospital with three degree burns after leaving his cooking unattended.

Commerce and music student Stoven Kennerley, 26, received a skin graft to his badly burnt hand and arm three weeks ago.

The injury occurred after he left a pot of oil heating in his kitchen.

“When I returned there were flames two feet high licking the extractor fan.”

Kennerley says he panicked and carried the pot outside, splashing flaming oil up his arm in the process.

“I wasn’t aware of the pain at first. I looked down at my hand and it was all grey and the skin was hanging off in sheets like glad wrap,” he says.

The pain came later as he held his arm under cold water and waited for the ambulance to arrive.

“It felt like my hand was being held above a bonfire. It was intense.”

Kennerley says looking back he realises he should not have left the kitchen and smothering the fire with a damp tea towel would have been a better

option.

“I think people are aware of all the right ideas about fire safety in theory but the danger doesn’t seem as real as the ads make out.”

Kennerley’s girlfriend, nursing student Anne Revell, was at the scene and says when the adrenaline

kicks in people lose all their ability to reason.

“All logic flies out the window. I’m so glad we knew not to pour water on it because that would have caused a massive explosion,” she says.

According to the New Zealand Fire Service, 42 per cent of careless fires are caused by leaving cooking unattended.

Fire safety coordinator George Stephens says it is easy for fire fighters to say “don’t panic” but it is a natural human response.

“This is why we keep pushing for early fire prevention and working fire alarms…so that you don’t get to the stage where you have to take drastic action.”

He says the best response to an oil fire is to turn the heat off, put the pot on a cold element and seal off the oxygen supply with a pot lid or damp tea towels.

“If he had put water on it the young lad might not have survived. Within seconds everyone in the room would have been exposed to horrific heat.”

Kiwi Crusade over – what now for New Zealand Rugby?

by Jared Van Huenen The Super 14 came to end yesterday in Soweto,

where the Bulls presumably beat the Stormers in a final that you probably didn’t watch (debate obviously can’t pick the future and we’re going on the facts). The Super 14 viewership, I’m happy to see, has seen an incline this year among us New Zealanders, which is a surprise considering the poor turnout our five national teams managed to achieve last year – both in the stadiums and on the couches. As has been the case for most of the Super rugby seasons to date, the Crusaders were our only real shot at success, with the Blues and Chiefs experiencing up and down form, the Hurricanes falling at the final hurdle and the Highlanders being as shit as they’ve always been.

The difference this year, however, is that Richie McCaw and his superhuman sidekick Dan Carter failed to achieve any real success. They were the only New Zealand team to qualify for the semi-finals, but their fourth place qualification pitted them against the Bulls, who have proven themselves as one of the most combative, successful teams in Super rugby after their massive 50 point destruction of the Chiefs in last year’s final and their involvement in and around the last five finals, stemming back to the end of the Super 12.

So we’re out. And we deserve to be. The New Zealand contingent in our Super 14, even at the highest level (last week’s Bulls – Crusaders semi) haven’t looked up to scratch all season, and some of the performances that the Highlanders turned in were actually embarrassing. Do I need to remind you that there’s a World Cup next year? Right when we need our players to be stepping up, they seem to be slacking off.

Daniel Carter has had an indifferent franchise season, with uncharacteristic

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errors and a sloppy decline in his kicking prowess defining a rather average season for the All Black 10. We’ll need him to show his experience over the next few months if we’re to achieve anything in our European clashes, and the Tri-Nations and Bledisloe. Considering our relative lack of experienced depth, it’s players like Carter and McCaw that will not only be required to lead by example – they’ll need to shape the performances of the younger players too. No pressure.

I’m not really the biggest fan of rugby, but even I know that All Blacks teams have, historically, gone into World Cup years with veins of purple form. With that as a precursor, I think we all know how World Cups normally end up for us.

What I’m getting at is maybe this time, as we enter the Tri-Nations as (very rarely) underdogs to South Africa, our World Cup fortunes might be brighter next year.

Now that I’ve said that, next year’s Super 15 will probably result in a Kiwi-heavy playoff series, with the Crusaders winning and the All Blacks taking the 2011 TriNations and then losing in a World Cup semi. I’ve probably jinxed it.

The most worrying aspect of our 2010 Super 14 campaign (when I say “our” I mean New Zealand) is the collective performance of all five of our teams. The Blues were the most disappointing for mine. A squad that includes a bunch of current All Blacks including Stephen Brett, Joe Rokocoko, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Isaia Toeava, Anthony Tuitavake and Anthony Boric – as well as up-and-comers like Alby Mathewson should be doing a LOT better than just scraping into the top eight. Whether it’s issues with the cohesion of these players or just a basic lack of form, Graham Henry will have a tough time picking some of those guys in the All Blacks squad.

The Greatest Race in America – Just a little bit ANZAC.

by Rocky Mak May is not just about New Zealand music (well,

I’m still a bit upset that the guitar challenge at Skycity did not happen as promised last year, but I digress). Be it Rally of New Zealand, the TransTasman football match (a goal in the 94th minute. What the fuck! – sub ed), Twenty20 tournaments and the two matches in Florida against Sri Lanka (drew 1-all) to name a few, the month of May also means the most important Trans-Tasman rivalry in motorsport: the Indy 500, which broadcasts today (Monday, May 31). While I can’t comment on this year’s action just yet, I can delve into the history books to teach the uninitiated about this fine event.

Winning Indy 500 has long been one of the most prestigious races every race driver strives to have on their racing CV, along with Daytona 500, Daytona 24 Hours, Le Mans, Monaco GP and Sebring 12-hour enduro. The history behind the event and the tradition of the winner of the 500 mile (or 804.5km) race getting a bottle of milk stretches far further than the confusing years of US open-car racing league history.

In 1933, when Louis Meyer won his second Indy 500 race after winning on debut in 1928, he asked for a glass of buttermilk on the podium and when he won for the third and final time in 1936, he received a whole bottle of buttermilk. An executive of a dairy company took this as a marketing opportunity while Meyer’s picture was taken and as they say, the rest is history. Nowadays, drivers can pick between a bottle equivalent of blue (full fat), light blue (2 per cent) or green (trim) milk. No lactose-intolerant driver has won Indy 500, yet, but still, given I prefer my coffee with soy milk in it, surely a lactose-free option isn’t too much to ask?

Scott Dixon tasted the milk in 2008 when he won his second Indy Car season after dominating that year with six wins (a tied season record) that included his first Indy 500 win. Last year, despite a slow start, he became Indy Racing League’s most successful driver of all time. At the end of the 2009 season,

he had won 21 races. However he lost to Australian Ryan Briscoe in the tightest championship finish by just one point. Briscoe is surely posing a threat for this race, and also the season again.

Another Australian who Dixon has to look out for is Will Power. With more than just steely willpower, he notched up three consecutive pole positions in the past three races, and he is currently leading the standings after winning the first two races in the season in Sao Paolo and St. Petersburg. By comparison, Dixon never won a race this season until he won in Kansas at the beginning of this month.

However, setting the sights further than just the Trans-Tasman battle that we are so obsessed about, Brazilian and former Dancing With The Star winner Helio Castroneves grabbed pole in his very disappointing season.

However, in the history of Indy 500, he has a high chance of winning from pole position, while Dixon is in a lesser disadvantage at sixth on the grid, given his car is becoming more competitive this month. Come May 31 (NZT), your fitness as a spectator is tested just as much as the drivers; trying to keep track of the pit-lane jumbles while the drivers try to keep their car turning left for about 90 minutes at more than 330kph. If I didn’t have an assessment today, I would certainly be one of the millions around the world fixated on the television screen.

Sledging the Zimbab-way

by Scott Moyes Zimbabwean bowler Eddo Brandes walks out

to the crease as the last man in to bat for his team against the Australians during a game of cricket a couple of years ago. He is facing Glenn McGrath, who expects a quick wicket to add to his impressive tally. Brandes stands his ground and through a combination of pure luck and perseverance, manages to prolong his stay at the crease for much longer than anticipated. Unable to find the breakthrough, McGrath becomes increasingly agitated, and eventually turns to Brandes and says, “hey, why are you so fat?”. Without a moment of contemplation, Brandes replies “It’s because every time I f**k your wife, she gives me a biscuit”. Word has it that even the Australian slip fielders were in hysterics. The joke is mentioned with much caution nowadays of course; Jane McGrath recently fell victim to breast cancer.

But to be honest, I have to say that sledging in sport really “grinds my gears”. I can exempt Brandes’ comment, coming out of retaliation alone and to be honest, Glenn McGrath dished out a lot more than he could take. I think personal attacks on other sportsmen or women are really uncalled for. It’s totally unnecessary to target someone on a personal level in order to gain an advantage in a sporting fixture. Some may label it as ‘all part of a good match’ but I couldn’t disagree more.

Don’t get me wrong, I love to see a good fist fight on the field. In contact sport I think it is great to show some passion and assert physical dominance

issue 12 may 2010

given the appropriate situation. It stays on the field and ultimately, the crowds love to see it. But sledging is on a whole different level as it attacks the player on grounds un-associated with the match itself. I look to Andrew Symonds calling Indian bowler, Harbhajan Singh a “monkey” and Melbourne Storm fullback Billy Slater telling Newcastle second-rower Corey Patterson to go have a cry in his room following a year out of the game suffering from depression.

The thing I love about sports is that it doesn’t matter who you are, the colour of your skin or where you come from. If you can play, then you deserve to be there just as much as the bloke with millionaire parents. To me, you don’t earn respect through calling someone a monkey. You earn respect by the skills you have and the manner in which you display them. The reason I have so much respect for Roger Federer as a sportsman is his immense respect for his opposition. If anyone has the right to be cocky before a sports match, it’s this guy. He simply doesn’t lose. Yet he goes about his business in such a humble fashion that you almost don’t hear his sneakers squeak on the concrete courts.

When running out to play sport of any description at primary school, the idea of sportsmanship is always drilled into us at every opportunity. I wonder why we must abandon this concept in the professional world. In the end, sledging merely motivates the opposition to succeed that much more.

11

Prez sez Greetings my fellow AUT Titans!

So the Government has now announced their new budget and how does this affect us? Many of you would have your own opinions and ideas about the new budget. From your student president’s perspective, let me enlighten you with how those changes will affect you: 1. Fee maxima policy that restricted how much universities could increase our course fees has now been replaced with a 4 per cent maxima on ALL fees.

2. Student loan policies have changed now with a seven year Equivalent Full Time Student (EFTS) lifetime limit. This means that from 2010 onwards, all students will have this time limit to complete their undergraduate studies. For postgraduate students there is also a life time limit in their student loan borrowing.

The new budget does not help the student plight of poverty and the Government has failed to inject much needed money into a sector that respectively will take over and lead the next generation!

Club life is certainly picking up now, with club activity buzzing with excitement and fun!

Many of our cultural clubs are fundraising to go away to conferences and are finalising their final semester events. So if you see your fellow students out there fundraising for their clubs help them out and support their cause. Join and partake if you wish to part of all the madness and fun! Meet new people and belong to a group that shares and expresses your interests and likes.

MANUKAU STUDENTS NOTICE: If you are keen on joining a club or creating a new one I will be there this Wednesday, May 2 to meet with all those who are interested. Come along to the AuSM office at 12pm and bring friends! Aside from that, I available every Wednesday to answer any questions and assist where possible. I am keen to meet you all and hope you will visit me on the Wednesdays I am based there on that beautiful campus of ours!

Lastly, our AGM (Annual General Meeting) is on this Monday – SO IF YOU ARE READING THIS AND TODAY IS A MONDAY PLEASE COME ALONG TO THE AGM and witness the fantastic things your student association AuSM is doing for you. There will be lots of FREE FOOD and great PRIZES to give away. Come along with some friends and mates and don’t be afraid to move some motions and ensure we are delivering the services that you want!

WC202 is where it’s all happening; if you can’t find it hopefully the smell of pizza should lead you there, or the ping pong table is iconic for this room. Either way, make your way down and join the fun!

Life by now should have quietened down for most of you as you start to buckle down and do the hard yards of studying, cramming and acing those exams!

Once again, I urge you all if you need anything student (or not) related, it’s my job to help you out! So don’t be afraid to come and visit me and say a big hi!

I wish you all the best for your studies and commitments for this week and will see you again here next week.

Best wishes - Ia Manuia Your fellow president,

Veronica Ng Lam AuSM President

Get to know your exec

Hey peeps and welcome to week 11!

There has been so much busy and exciting stuff happening around that I forgot to breathe and Hello everyone!

I am your Design and Creative Technologies faculty representative for this year.

I realise life would be getting really busy for a good majority of you, as we approach the end of this semester. We are all struggling to find some free time but lets all keep a positive attitude. A little hard work for the next couple of weeks will brightly reflect on your results.

My aim when I took this position was to represent student interests at executive level so the students can have a better time at AUT. I personally feel the success of a university depends on student satisfaction. So if you have any ideas to make AUT a better place, feel free to contact me. I welcome comments and suggestions from all students, not just those from DCT Faculty. Also I would like to encourage you all to go on to the AuSM website (www.ausm.org.nz) and check out the services we have to offer; these include big discounts on various brands and freebies from time to time.

Well this is all from me for now. Good luck for your assignments and exams!

Until next time, signing off…

Karan Singh

Design and Creative Technologies Rep

12

Is Youtube & selfdistribution killing the music industry?

by Jess Cann Anyone can be a “star” these

days. Simply turn your camera on, edit in iMovie and upload to YouTube (iMovie even offers a “YouTube” setting when it comes to finishing projects on your computer). YouTube is so accessible to anyone, with videos ranging from humour to cup-stacking to short films to singers, and this is where it gets concerning.

Take for example the little dweeb who manages to weasel his way into every article I write: Justin Bieber.

Discovered on YouTube by Usher, signed to a label, now touring worldwide with a huge number one selling album, and he’s only 16. Good for him you know, making a lot of money he can’t touch until he is 21, having girls of all ages fawn over him worldwide and being best friends with Usher: He’s living a pretty sweet life. But how is this fair to other artists, in contrast, who have worked from the ground up, or at least a non-YouTube way, to get to where they are: Keri Hilson, Alicia Keys, Katy Perry, Christina Aguilera, Kanye West, LadyHawke, Marina and The Diamonds, Gossip, etc.

At the moment, most of those artists are enjoying moderate success on the charts worldwide; however someone more “privileged”, such as Justin Bieber is more “successful” because he has an interesting discovery story, an average album and a brown helmet of hair.

The music industry is mainly to blame for this shift in “what is music” and “what is deserving of a record contract” as they are the ones signing randoms off the internet. Mainstream society can no longer define what a “pop star” is as there are so many different artists emerging from different mediums.

Susan Boyle may have been discovered on Britain’s Got Talent, but what really set off her superstardom was when her video went viral on the internet. It could be good for diversity in the industry, however, when amazing people miss out on contracts just because someone on YouTube is “more famous” than them, it’s really unfortunate. Let’s be honest; had Susan Boyle walked into a recording studio looking like she did, she would have been turned away without a listen. Sadly, this will be the case for thousands of artists out there who sound amazing, but don’t have the right “look” of singer. Justin Bieber is lucky he fits the role of tween star perfectly.

Take a look at the latest YouTube star; Greyson Chance, that kid who uploaded his own rendition of Lady Gaga’s Paparazzi. His video went viral; almost everyone I know has seen it on YouTube and he was signed to a record label a week later. He hasn’t even started high school yet! What is this saying to aspiring artists who want to put their music out there? It is saying that to be even considered for a recording contract, you need to a) be able to distribute your OWN music and b) have enough luck in the world that someone from a music label stumbles across your videos and likes you enough to say ‘hey, that kid’s got talent’.

I think it is simply laziness of behalf of those labels to not scout for talent.

Think of the legendary stories that would not be as epic if YouTube was involved. Had The Beatles been discovered on YouTube, their story would not have been as amazing and interesting as it is. They worked their butts off for five years on tour to get their music out there and to be heard.

We need to get back to finding true stars from ordinary places with unbelievable talent. I’m never impressed anymore with singers I see on television or hear on the radio because they are all just so average, only popular because they were discovered. Bring back the traditional pop star, please!

issue 12 may 2010

by Mike Atkins Ok. What exactly are we

talking about here? Are we talking about Chocolate Rain, and that white guy with the stupid hat playing the Pants On The Ground song on an acoustic guitar, or are we talking about people illegally uploading music videos, and songs onto YouTube? Either way, I’ll defend the indefensible.

Let’s start with the former, because that’s the easier fish to fry. Bad music does not erase good music from existence, period. I understand the natural aversion to bad art, and how “so-bad-it’s-good” loses its charm when we’re overwhelmed by it, or when it overstays its welcome. But what we forget about the internet is that’s it’s a relatively insulated thing. People have a tendency to assume that nothing on the internet ever gets ignored, that you can put your crappy selfproduced dance mix on the net, and wake up the next morning famous. The truth is, it’s very easy to ignore things on the internet, even when they do go viral. Just ignore it, it’s very easy to not google something, or to not click that Facebook link.

In fact, the volume of stuff released on the internet works to the detriment of anyone trying to release material there. Your crappy self-produced single is a drop in the ocean when you release it online, where it would be a drop in a reasonably sized bathtub if released it the old fashioned way. Yes that sort of thing worked for Radiohead, but they’re Radiohead. Yes, it also worked for the Arctic Monkeys, but on the same day they signed their record contract, they also all won the lottery, and were struck one after the other by bolts of lightening despite all standing in the same place. Music originating on the net is hardly a threat to the old-fashioned kind.

I’ve also heard the concern expressed that if the cultural heritage of web 2.0 is nothing but shit music, then our kids are going to think good music simply didn’t exist in and around 2010. But let’s face it, they’re going to think that anyway, that’s just the nature of kids listening to their parents’ music.

Now let’s get to the trickier subject of defending people who do illegal things for the fun of it. First, let me say that I never supported the illegal downloading of music, even when it was fashionable to. But since it stopped being a hot-button issue, I’ve eaten a little bit of humble pie on my stance against it. Five or 10 years ago, it may have been valid to say that the industry was dying, but nothing takes this long to die, i.e. if downloading was going to kill the music industry, it would’ve done so by now. The industry has changed irrevocably because of downloading; there’s less money to go around, and it’s harder now than it ever has been for artists, but the industry did adapt.

A lot of factors contributed to its unlikely survival, but one of them was the proliferation of streaming sites like YouTube. According to Derek Thompson, the business editor of The Atlantic, illegal downloading has fallen a whopping 60 per cent in the last two years because of those sites. To be fair, Thompson is ambivalent over whether this is actually a good thing; after all, either way the artist does not make a single red cent. But at least websites get advertising revenue, a portion of which goes to recording artists’ unions, which support the industry if not the artist. It’s a small, convoluted cash-stream, but it’s a cash-stream nonetheless; and in tough times, you take what you can get.

At the end of the day, you cannot get people to pay for things that they’re getting for free. But it makes no difference to you whether a song is on your hard drive, or on a server on the other side of the world, it’s still available at the click of the mouse; so as long as YouTube is the far lesser of two evils, let’s go with it.

13

o t eat smart while studying w o

H I

t’s almost exam time and hopefully you’re coping with the extra stress of study. If you’ve struggling because you’ve lost your study mojo, try these quick tips for eating during study time and see if eating well gets your mojo back.

If you feel like studying is like trying to climb Everest after doing a marathon it might not be because studying sucks (though that’s likely to be a contributor)! It might be because your body and brain don’t have the fuel they need to fire on all cylinders. When you’re studying you need to have regular meals to help keep your energy levels stable right from when you wake up.

If you skip breakfast to hit the books you’ll probably be doing just that with your head as you fall asleep an hour later! Ideally, breakfast should be cereal or a couple of pieces of toast, but if you’re not a morning person a muesli bar, yoghurt or a breakfast drink will be enough to kick start your system. You also don’t want to go too far and eat huge meals; we all know about the post pizza pig-out sloth session. Have smaller regular meals and avoid that post meal drop in energy so you can study through the afternoon.

The sorts of snacks you eat will also impact how well you study. You might crave chocolate, lollies and chips but have these all the time and not only will you blow your food budget and expand your waistline, you’ll also spend a significant part of your day feeling lethargic because of the sugar crash. You might get a short burst of energy but it will only be short lived so not particularly helpful. A better snack is something like fruit (of course), crackers and cheese, cruskits and peanut butter or a muesli bar. You can wrap the crackers separately to your filling to stop them going soggy throughout the morning.

Boredom is a huge factor in cravings so try taking a walk in the fresh air; the change of surroundings might be enough to jog your system out of the craving.

If I’m at home I make some popcorn, a quick five minutes in the kitchen and

Beef enchiladas Makes 10 enchiladas.

Contains gluten and dairy Cost: $2.14

Enchiladas are great! I was first introduced to them by an American friend and I’ve never looked back. You can make the beef mince mix as complicated or as simple as you like it – I like lots of veges and spices so add them to the beef.

Freeze the beef separate from the tortillas and then all you have to do is heat up the tomato paste with the Mexican seasoning, grate some cheese and put them in the oven to finish off. Nice, quick and easy for exam time.

Ingredients 1 medium onion, chopped 2 cloves OR 2 teaspoons minced garlic 1 tablespoon oil Black pepper 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground coriander 2 teaspoons cocoa (trust me it’s essential!) ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper or chilli to taste 500g mince 2 cups chopped vegetables (e.g. capsicum, mushrooms, cubed pumpkin, peas) 1 x 400g can chilli beans 130g tomato paste 1/3 of a burrito/taco seasoning sachet 2 cups grated cheese 10 tortillas

14

by Alicia Crocket some tasty popcorn is all I need before I get back to the books.

Finally, water is always the most reliable drink to get you through study time. Coffee and energy drinks might appear to be a mandatory part of study, but don’t let the hype fool you! Caffeine does increase your concentration in the short term but even the most diehard caffeine nut admits that there’s a pretty big down once the caffeine leaves your system. You don’t want to hit the down in the middle of your exam, that’s hardly going to help your marks!

So be wary of caffeinated drinks and limit yourself to one a day. Caffeinated drinks that also have sugar give you a double down so you’ll want to limit these too. Limiting caffeinated drinks also helps you to sleep which is incredibly important during exam time.

Good luck with studying and exams.

Remember what you eat affects how you feel so think of good eating and drinking as just another study tool.

Image credit: http://dailyshotofcoffee.com/can-you-drink-too-much-coffee/

Instructions

1. Chop vegetables 2. Sauté onion and garlic in a large fry-pan or pot in the oil 3. Add spices and cocoa and stir until fragrant 4. Add mince and stir until browned 5. Add the remaining chopped vegetables and cook until they start

softening

6. Add remaining ingredients and simmer for 10–15 minutes 7. Turn oven on to 180°C to pre-heat 8. Mix tomato paste with an equal amount of water.

9. Put burrito/taco seasoning in and gently heat until boiling.

10. Grate cheese 11. Put a thin layer of tomato paste mix into the bottom of a rectangular

oven dish. This will stop the enchiladas sticking to the bottom

12.

Lay out a tortilla, place a spoon of mince across the tortilla about 5cm away from the edges

13.

Put approx two dessertspoons on tomato mix on the mine and then add a sprinkling of cheese.

14. Roll up and put into the dish.

15. Once all your enchiladas are rolled pour any remaining tomato paste mix and cheese on top

16.

Cook at 180°C for approximately 10-15 minutes or until cheese has melted on top.

17. Serve with sour cream and guacamole when avocados are in season.

Hey Bro. I don’t care where you’re from.

by Jared Van Huenen

Somewhere along the line, somebody decided that students should hate on each other if they’re from a different uni. What sort of bullshit is that? There’s this massive conception in Auckland that if you’re from the University Auckland, you’ve got to make AUT kids feel like retards – and vice versa. I say conception because even though we all know about this supposed rivalry, nobody actually acts on it. Most of you will have mates over the road and that’s sweet as, nobody’s gonna burn your house down for it. Probably.

I have my fair share of grievances with

university students, as I’m sure you do. This is largely because uni is way too easy to get into these days, and there are so many people patrolling the halls that I wonder what the point of a degree is. Then I tell myself that everyone deserves a fair chance and all that shit. Point being, I don’t have any issues with any particular brand of student and I especially don’t have an issue with you because you study on Albert Street instead of Wellesley. So there, Auckland Uni students, unless you’re a douchebag, I don’t care where you’re from – let’s be mates.

I assume the origin of this perceived rivalry stems from our meagre conceptions of American high school and university culture – I’m thinking American Pie, Remember the Titans and all those other clichéd films that sport the famous red cups. In that movie culture, there are sporting competitions and “how many girls can you do before the summer?” competitions and everyone gets drunk and it is all “yay, look at us and how cool we are”. It’s that sort of camaraderie that is supposed to breed pride in an institution and, as a result, strong inter-college rivalries and competitiveness. We don’t have any of that. New Zealand culture has a massive problem with pride – we hate that shit. The second you do anything worth anything, typical New Zealanders will cut you down to size and call you a fag. Offensive? Sure. The truth? Yes. That’s my point. We’re so busy offending each other that nobody actually says “hey! Look how good we are”, which seems to be the foundation of any real institutional rivalry. Imagine being amongst a Harvard/Yale football game – that’s a real university rivalry.

Sometimes, there’s a reason for rivalries, like when one person/ place/group legitimately does something better than someone else.

The University of Auckland is very old and clever. It wears a cardigan and smokes a pipe, and is very rich with lots of well-connected and high profile friends. If it was a character in the aforementioned American movies, it would be the famous professor everyone knows about. AUT is young. It wears skinny jeans, Ray-Bans and does some messed up shit on the weekends, but it has some real

issue 12 may 2010

flair for ideas and getting shit done. It’s taught about innovation and creative thinking. If it were a character, it would be that funky student lecturer that you have the hots for secretly. My point is that both universities are very different, but that doesn’t make one better than the other, per se. You can’t do medicine at AUT, but why would you want to anyway – University of Auckland has one of the best medical faculties in the South Pacific. Then again, it has pretty much neglected the entire field of communications, but that’s okay – AUT is known for being good at it. I’m not saying other students from outside of those faculties aren’t as important, I’m just saying that we’ve all got something to offer. You can’t compare apples with oranges; they’re two different foods falling under the same umbrella of “fruit”.

There are a minority who try to get into the angsty “your uni sucks” kind of stuff. For some reason, this ‘argument’ is more vocal up in Auckland. Is it because we’re so close together? The most common version of this that I hear is “Craccum is way better than debate, you guys suck”. Again, I’m not going to say that Craccum sucks. It’s different. At the heart of the issue, do you really give a shit about where a magazine is produced? Is it really warranted to say that debate sucks because we don’t say the c-word and show pictures of nude people and vomit? I don’t think so, but if you do then that’s fine. Read Craccum. But who wins when you get all angry about it?

I’ll tell you who. Nobody. Look at that guy over there, do you think he cares what uni you’re from? Bet you he doesn’t. Go ask.

I guess the overarching point I’m trying to make with this page is that, just like the rest of civilised society, universities shouldn’t be places where you class people based on where they’re from.

I completely understand the whole team spirit pride thing, but it should either be all the way or not at all – not just a couple of randoms going “lolz AUT has university in it twice LOL they’re gay”.

I’m not trying to take the high ground or anything but…really? Are we not adults?

15

Ginger-itis

by Jess Cann Ginger boy drawing by Marc Junker, www.martlet.ca

Ah, ginger kids; rangas, fire crotches, carrot tops, ginger ninjas, Lindsay Lohan’s of the world (minus the insane drug intake). A true ginger is a rare breed,

I believe only one in eight people are ginger-haired (a ginger kid told me that once, reference that in an essay). One time I was watching Jeremy Kyle and one woman, in a really harsh Cockney accent, said “Ma kids feel pehcked on because thaaay’re jinjah!” (translation: my kids feel picked on because they’re ginger). This reminded me that gingers are people too and have a right, just like everyone else, to feel a part of our community here in New Zealand and all around the world. SIGH. Where did this argument come from, you say? There’s a bit of a shit storm at the moment about kids who are ginger feeling picked on in society. This debate comes around every year and I’m getting just a little bit tired of it, however here’s my two cents on the matter.

Last Friday was Hug a Ginga Day, a promotion run by The Edge radio station. I think the most important thing to point out is that it was exactly that: a promotion. The Edge probably wanted all of New Zealand to become riled up because of this “racism”* existing here in our peaceful country. And as they say: any press is good press, and would have meant many more people tuned into the Morning Madhouse the next morning. Did you hug a ginger last Friday?

The backlash about ginger abuse prevalent in New Zealand is pretty severe. Dom Harvey from The Edge appeared on Close Up last Tuesday night to discuss the event, but I think even he was pretty taken aback by what happened. Stephen Simpson, dad to two ginger kids who New Zealand now feels sorry for, was furious about the campaign to “invade their personal space” to honour their gingerness, whereby non-gingers extend the olive branch and hug a ginger-haired person one day a year.

Simpson let loose about what he thinks about ginger discrimination and racism, saying that promotions, such as Hug A Ginga day run by The Edge, only encourage people to exclude redheads even more, whereas personally I had no problem with redheads to begin with. My hair at the moment is even a slightly lighter tinge of a dark red, so who am I to say anything bad about the ginger ninjas?

I’m friends with plenty of people with red or ginger hair and

never in my life have I felt it is somehow a disadvantage. Shame on Simpson to assume that this is the case with most New Zealanders!

You know what happens when you assume.

Charlotte Westerhof, a third year Communications student, says she has been picked on for the colour of her hair but that it is character-building and a rite of passage for ginger kids to be picked on.

“I’m mega proud to be ginger. I used to feel pretty picked on back when I was a kid but I was a pretty sensitive kid.

I love it now. It gives me a point of difference and I love Hug A Ginga day! I’m going to make the most of it.”

Simpson also noted that he had talked to the Human Rights Commission about this. Come off it dude, I really don’t think it’s necessary to talk to the Human Rights Commission about how you believe ginger kids are being targeted. There are many more important things in the world, such as how do I keep my hair tame in this wet and wild weather?

Anyway, the response from the segment on Close Up was huge.

Producers had received more than 1000 emails by the time the show finished, with people from up and down the country expressing their either love or hate for gingers. Maybe this means that the issue is more topical that initially thought?

Dom Harvey and Stephen Simpson had round two the next night on Close Up and after more than 30,000 people text voted that Hug a Ginga day is not harmful, Simpson was silenced. However, something totally disturbing was the way Simpson compared Hug a Ginga day to the Bali bombings. I don’t know how anyone can justify saying this, as Hug a Ginga day is really not to the extent that the bombings were. He also suggested that the nation go into a state of mourning the day after. Seriously? His ridiculous comments started another wave of Facebook groups, such as “Lets Hug Stephen Simpson” and “I embrace ‘Hug A Ginga Day’, LOL JK, I’m Stephen on Close Up”.

Hug A Ginga day is supposed to be about solidarity and uniting as one as a community. If that means certain people get singled out for a hug, then so be it. It wasn’t Punch A Ginga Day. Whether you’re blonde, brunette, blue, pink or you have dreads, we were ‘one’ on Friday. Feel good about it, New Zealand. *Mr Simpson called it racism, not I. I think it is hairism.

Like trees?

Read debate online at www.ausm.org.nz 16

Silo Theatre’s newest production, When the Rain Stops Falling is a great addition to a season full of modern and controversial plays that really reflect the times we live in now. When the Rain Stops Falling is a piece that spans four generations and reaches from London to Australia. Written in 2008, the play is anything but irrelevant and delves into the environmental issues we may have to face in the future, or more specifically, 2039, the year the play opens on.

I spoke to actor Simon London over a nice glass of sauvignon blanc at The Gypsy Tea rooms in Grey Lynn. London, who is currently working on When the Rain Stops Falling, is an actor who has accomplished a lot in his years acting both here and overseas. Although you may not recognise him by name, London has recently played a pivotal character on the hit TV series The Cult, has guest starred on Go Girls and Legend of the Seeker, and has been in many plays spanning New Zealand and overseas. He has been involved in projects with Silo Theatre before, performing in Mr Kolpert, The Scentless Apprentice and Boys in the Band. However, it’s been a few years since Simon’s last play due to an influx of screen work and he can’t wait to get back on stage again.

Simon, what made you want to get into acting?

I can’t remember exactly, but I was about seven I think, and we were in England and my parents took me and my brother along to see Cats. My mother quotes me as saying, “mum, I want to be Mr Mistoffelees”. Yes, the magical Mr Mistoffelees…which right now I’m not sure if I can see myself playing anymore, which might disappoint my mother.

As an actor, do you prefer the stage or screen work?

I don’t know, they are both really different experiences, but I think theatre is the actor’s medium. It’s not left up to the director of photography and the editor and director to decide exactly how your performance comes out. And you just get so much more time! It’s not like you do shitloads of preparation on your own and then you turn up, talk for five minutes then you shoot it.

But now this is my first big theatre project in years and to be able to spend this whole time, well it still isn’t very long but it’s a month, to just be able to play and work it all out is just so enjoyable.

Tell us about some of your up and coming work.

I’ve just done a film with 2010 productions…called Girl meets Boy, which is based on the documentary which was made by Rosanne Liang, who also wrote and directed this film called Banana in a Nutshell. [It] is a wonderful documentary and she turned it into a film. I’m playing like the “frenemy” nemesis character. He wasn’t in the documentary but he’s quite a strange, nouveau, beatnik sort of character who’s really alternative. But that won’t be out till March next year. I think it will be great; it’s got a really lovely feel to it.

It’s a really funny and sweet romantic comedy.

How did you first become involved in When the Rain Stops Falling?

I first heard about it when I was in London, a friend of mine had seen the Almeida [Theatre] production and she was saying how wonderful it was and how it was the guy who had written Lantana. I loved Lantana when I saw that, it’s such a cool movie. So when Shane said that he was planning to do it I was dead keen to audition so he sent me the script and I read it, loved it, and did the audition. Then Shane offered me the part and I was thrilled.

I play two characters in it; one of my characters is Gabriel who is kind of in the middle of the time line. He was born in 1960 and you do see around the time that he was born but most of his stuff is in 1988 when he travels to Australia. Then I play his grandson, who is Andrew Price, who is Australian and is travelling to Alice Springs in 2039 to visit his father who left town when he was seven. But it’s very different because the world is falling apart. There are massive environmental problems going on and fish are falling out of the sky and there is massive flooding through most of Europe.

What is it going to be like for the audience when you switch from one character to the next?

Well I’m going to completely be someone else; [different] costume, accent, but also I think it’s quite poetic the same person playing those two characters. And it’s been done before in other productions. The fact that they are grandfather and grandson and they are both going through very similar experiences but in different times…it really highlights one of the main things that this play is about, which is the repercussions of our ancestors and how we have to deal with the issues from our grandparents and how our grandchildren will have to deal with ours on a personal level and on a global level.

What do you think makes When the Rain Stops Falling appeal to students?

Well I think of students as people who are into thinking about our future.

They’re the people who will be the decisions in the years to come. And being those people, these are subjects that need to be talked about, that need to be experienced and taken to the world in every subject and culture. We need to start thinking about how to do everything differently and this play highlights all of these things. It’s really interesting in the way it feeds you information, it’s not a “beginning, middle and an end” play. This is a whole another level up from that and it’s a really engaging story on an intellectual and an emotional level. I just think that students are the perfect people to see it because they are the people who will be making the big decisions in years to come.

When the Rain Stops Falling is playing at the Herald Theatre from June 3 to July 3. Students are $25 and tickets can be bought at www.the-edge.co.nz or 0800 BUY TICKETS.

What is your character like in When the Rain Stops Falling? issue 12 may 2010

17

The Manukau Campus

by Samantha McQueen AUT has only had university

status for the last 10 years. Yup, that’s right – one decade. AUT has been teaching as an educational institute for more than 100 years, but as a full-fledged university, we’re only been around for two Olympics, the birth of Brangelina, the beginning (and end) of Lost and the rise of Facebook, YouTube and TradeMe. There are only eight universities in New Zealand (three of those are in Auckland), and with around 24,000 students, we’re the fourth largest in the country. Before this year, we had two campuses; the city and the North Shore but as of this year, we have added Manukau campus to our ranks.

Between April and June last year, the university underwent extensive public consultation in Counties Manukau and found the community wanted AUT to set up campus in South Auckland.

Apart from MIT, AUT Manukau is the only tertiary institution in South Auckland to offer full degree programmes, as well as postgraduate study. I’ve been lucky enough to visit Manukau campus a few times in my short time at AuSM. The first was in the height of summer at academic orientation, where the founding students and their families came to check out their new schooling digs. The second time was last week, during the “beautiful” weather we were blessed with. Every AUT campus has something distinctive about it; with the city campus everyone is constantly busy and there’s always something going on. The North Shore is renowned for their sporting skills and facilities, and Manukau has already taken the title of greenest and most relaxed campus.

There are currently only 400 students enrolled at Manukau campus at the moment, studying in areas of Business, Education, Health and Sports Sciences, but the students like the small numbers. Everyone I spoke to out there love the small number of students; everyone knows everyone and there aren’t lines for any of the equipment or resources. While over on the city or North Shore you have to book computers in the lab in advance, especially around exam time, Manukau doesn’t have that problem. A quick stroll of the library confirms their point; there are at least five free computers. AUT plans to have 5000 students enrolled at Manukau by 2020, and with that will come increases to the facilities Manukau students have access too.

The grounds of the campus are what make people jealous. You drive past a pond when you first enter through the gates

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– you would never find anything remotely that serene on the city campus.

There’s plenty of student parking on campus, and it’s close to the main buildings (library, AuSM office and the campus café), which is handy when you need to make a mad dash through a storm or sudden downpour (which are common in Auckland). There is a large field surrounded by trees that are reminiscent of American universities, when students throw a football around, or the fields you had at high school, where you went to eat your lunch and soak up the sun. There are also two multisport courts on site for students, and although closed at the moment, there is a swimming pool on campus. Yeah, that’s right – a swimming pool.

How great will that be when it warms up?

AuSM is set up over at Manukau too, in the MB building, which is also the student lounge. There’s always people wanting to duel it out over table tennis and Patrick, the campus co-ordinator constantly has sweet sounds pumping.

One of the first things I noticed is that everyone is really relaxed and friendly out at Manukau, probably because of the chilled environment they’re in. I did microcelebs out at Manukau and everyone I asked was keen to be one. None of this darting away when I approached them with a camera around my neck (yes, that’s happened. City people are either very shy or way too cool).

Manukau campus will be changing over the years so make sure you check it out while it’s still at its beginning stages. If you are a student out there, take pride in the fact that you are part of the founding class and in 50 years, students will see your face in the history books.

Are you a Manukau student and want to see more Manukau content in debate?

Or perhaps you just want to show off your writing prowess? Email debate@aut. ac.nz and get put on our weekly mailing list.

KATE LOWDEN

So Kate, what’s your role here at AuSM? I am the sport co-ordinator and look after the social sport at all three campuses and also organise events such as the Inter-Tertiary League and Northern Tertiary Challenge.

So Patrick, what’s your role here at AuSM? I’m the AuSM Manukau Campus Co-ordinator.

Which sounds pretty flash, but I am basically the “go-to guy” for the association out here.

What were you doing before you started working at AuSM? I was completing my conjoint in Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Sport and Recreation.

What were you doing before you started working at AuSM? I was the program director at 95bFM (University of Auckland’s radio station).

What’s it like working out at the Manukau office?

It’s great. People are really friendly and always come into the office to see what’s happening on campus.

What are the biggest differences between the different AUT campuses?

Manukau is small and relaxed, the North Shore has a great atmosphere and the city is always buzzing with people.

What do you like to do when you’re not hard at work?

I like to play football and cricket. I also volunteer for St John and at various sports events such as the rowing world champs.

What type of student were you at university?

I liked to get involved in as much sport as possible and studied when needed.

You’re obviously a sport nut. Do you have a favourite sport?

Football How do you plan on spending the upcoming semester break?

Planning sports for second semester and hopefully watching some of the Football World Cup. What are your thoughts on the 2010 Budget?

I think it is good for those on a high income but not so great for those on minimum wage.

How do you keep warm during the cold and wet winter months?

Spend as much time as possible by my fireplace.

Credit: Ornamental graphic provided by www.createsk8.com issue 12 may 2010

You used to work over on the city campus. What’s it been like moving out to the Manukau office?

It’s been a big change after working for the AuSM events department for the last five years, but it’s been enjoyable and challenging.

Patrick waller

What are the biggest differences between the campuses?

It’s a lot quieter out here with only 400 students who are generally very laidback and friendly compared with in the city where everyone is stressed-out and rushing around. The grounds are also much nicer than the city campus – it’s an oasis of greenery.

What do you like to do when you’re not hard at work?

I have an alter-ego called DJ Dubhead who plays reggae and funk music and does a lot of gigs around town. I also do a weekly radio show on bFM called “The Rhythm Selection”, (Mondays 9 - 11pm) and I work in a record shop on Sundays. So when I’m not at AuSM, I’m usually hard at work elsewhere!

What type of student were you at university?

The type that got his tertiary education from the street.

How do you plan on spending the upcoming semester break?

Working.

What are your thoughts on the 2010 Budget?

Very negative and angry ones! Don’t get me started on the suffering of lower income earners... A GST rate of 15 per cent affects everyone equally across the board, right? Yet the rich (those earning over $70,000) get a 5 per cent income tax reduction which will nicely offset the 2.5 per cent increase in GST, while the poor (students, unemployed and part-time workers) get no income tax relief. You do the maths. This is the type of taxation inequality that we have come to expect from a National government, who assured us before they were elected that they were not planning on raising GST. How do you plan on keeping warm during the cold and wet winter months?

By turning the heater on and virtually doubling the size of my monthly electricity bill.

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Things to do in and around Manukau With a long weekend this weekend and semester break just around the corner; it’s time to start planning those holiday activities. The below activities range from the hilarious, to the active, to the musical, but two things are certain: they all beat a standard dinner and movie combo, and they’re all happening in and around the Manukau area. If you feel there is something missing from this list, email debate@ aut.ac.nz and we’ll pop it on the AuSM Facebook page for everyone to see.

PLAYS FESTIVALS CONCERTS Hip Hop Nation

Saturday, June 5 at the Genesis Energy Theatre (7pm, doors open at 6.30pm) Price: $20 Hip Hop Nation is a showcase that features some of New Zealand’s top hip hop dancers and is a chance for lovers of hip hop and dance to get along and see some great moves and Kiwi talent. It promises a journey through the ages and at only $20, is a cheap night of entertainment.

the comedy circuit and this show promises three hours of comedy. That’s a lot of laughs for one night. Get your stomach muscles ready.

The Edge Winter Jam: The Experiment Tour Thursday, July 15 at Telestra Pacific Arena (7.30pm) Price: $45 for early bird tickets. Visit www.ticketdirect.co.nz

Remember when you were younger and you headed along with a bunch of mates to Edgefest? Well, the winter version of that is coming to Manukau this July and is a good way to see a bunch of successful New Zealand artists on the cheap. Dane Rumble is headlining the festival, with performances from J Williams, Kidz in Space and Ivy Lies. It will be the final show of the festival, which will be playing in Christchurch and Wellington, so make sure you head along; it’ll be one of the last events before you’re back at uni.

COURSES ARTS CRAFTS

The Laughing Samoans – Choka Block

Great Manukau Bake-off

Saturday, June 12 at Genesis Energy Theatre (2pm or 8pm) Price: $30 for students, $20 for groups 10+. Visit www.ticketdirect.co.nz

Friday, June 11 at Summerset by the Park, corner of Flat Bush School Road and Chapel Road (11am) Price: Free

The Laughing Samoans have been around since 2003 and are well-known in the New Zealand comedy circuit. They’ve done shows such as A Small Samoan Wedding, Old School and Prettyfull Woman and this time around they’ll be performing Choka Block. The comedy festival may be over, but that doesn’t mean you should miss out on some quality laughs. Comedy shows are best seen with a large group of people, so rally some friends together and get laughing.

Is your mouth salivating at just the thought of this event? People enter their baked scones, muffins or cakes, which will be judged by MasterChef finalist Kirsty Cardy and author Robyn Paterson. The winner will receive $100 cafe voucher and a hamper, but best of all, you’ll be surrounded by amazing baking. If you fancy yourself a culinary whiz, whip something up and head along. And make sure you send your recipes into debate!

Slinky – The Fire and Ice Winter Ball (R18)

Otara Markets

Saturday, June 12 at Telestra Pacific Arena (9pm-6am) Price: from $35-$60. Visit www.ticketdirect.co.nz for more information.

Every Saturday at Newbury Lane, Otara (6am-12pm) Price: Free

Avid dance goers would have probably experienced one of the many events Slinky has put on for the last decade. From whimsical themes, such as winter wonderland and cirque de carnival, to elaborate stages, to performances from DJs around the world, this event is not to be missed. This year the theme is fire and ice, and the promoters are promising a special stage that will blow you away. If you like your trance, hard dance, house and electro music, this event is for you, so get your friends together and make a night of it.

The Otara markets have become iconic over the years, with their fresh produce, ethnic food, fashion, arts and crafts and pretty much anything else you can think of. The best part is, unlike a lot of other up-and-coming markets, the Otara markets still guarantee a bargain to be found. Head down early to get the best selection and make sure you grab something to eat there!

Stars of Matariki

Saturday, June 26 at Telestra Pacific Arena (7-9.30pm) Price: $30 (show and dinner) or $15 (show only). Visit www.ticketdirect.co.nz Matariki, or the Maori New Year, is marking by the rising of the star constellation, Matariki. This year, Matariki falls on June 14 and the festival finishes on July 14. There are loads of events going on during this month, but one special event is the Stars of Matariki; a showcase featuring Anika Moa, Maisey Rika and Betty-Anne. There’s a full buffet dinner available if you want to eat there, or you can just grab a ticket for the main event. Go to http:// www.matarikifestival.org.nz/ to find out about all the events that are going on.

Mike King – The Devil You Know

Saturday, June 26 at The Thoroughbred Sports Bar (8pm) Prices: $25 or $30 on the door. Purchase at the venue. Call (09) 298 4357 for details.

Not much is known about Mike King’s new show, but everyone knows who Mike King is (and not just from the New Zealand pork ads). He’s still hitting

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SPORT Vodafone Warriors vs. St George Dragons Sunday, June 6 at Mount Smart Stadium (2pm) Prices: $40 for adults, $15 for children

This weekend is Queen’s Birthday, and if you aren’t heading out of Auckland and the weather manages to behave, head on down to Mount Smart Stadium to cheer on the Warriors in the 13th round of the NRL Rugby League competition. It’s only 3.5km from Manukau campus and nothing beats a great sporting atmosphere. Think of it as good practice for next year’s World Cup. The Warrior’s next home game is on July 4 against the Eels if you don’t make it this weekend.

Birds of Tokyo

Birds of Tokyo are a four-piece epic rock band from the world’s most isolated international city (Perth). They’ve been together for a very short time, but have been very prolific, and hard working in that time, gathering accolades by sheer force of effort. They share members with BDO mainstay prog-metallers Karnivool, but have a softer, more textured sound. In Australia, they’ve just released their new single, The Saddest Thing I Know, off their upcoming self titled album (July 26 release). The video for the single looks like a Tool video and a Coldplay video had a sexually perverted baby, but that sort of describes their music too, but they’re more subtle and better than that would suggest. New Zealand fans have a chance to see what all the fuss is about when Birds of Tokyo take the stage at the Kings Arms with special guests Clap Clap Riot and The Early Birds this Wednesday (June 2). Birds of Tokyo guitarist Adam Spark talks to Mike Atkins about selling out in London, making a live album and the upcoming trip to Godzone.

A few of your shows in London sold out. How does that feel?

Feels great! It’s really nice to know that when you roll into a new town you have some people who are vibe-ing on your music. Makes it so much easier for us when there is participation and people in the room are sharing the love!

Was that because you have got quite the following over in the UK? I don’t know what else it would be? It’s certainly not because we are handsome reality TV stars?!

How do the UK crowds compare to the Aussie ones?

Crowds are crowds I find to be honest. A room full of people standing in the dark drinking beer is the constant. I guess the accents are different, but otherwise it’s just human beings letting it all out.

I’ve always wanted to ask: what’s it like doing a live album?

Equal parts scary and incredibly easy! I found the best thing about it was that it really helps you focus on your performance, knowing that it will end up in people’s living rooms forever. Fuck ups will haunt us for a long time.

Was there any special preparation on your part for those shows?

Just lots of talking and rehearsing and discussing the aesthetics of the whole show. We needed to all agree that we were doing it for very purposeful reason, which was to highlight the depth and colour in the songs which are otherwise lost. So lots of breaking down and examination.

Is this your first time in New Zealand as Birds Of Tokyo?

It sure is. I was there once years ago as a teen on a ski trip. It was beautiful, but I fell over a lot and landed myself a bruise on the leg, the size of a fucking watermelon! And not a little weird pig melon type one...a big, creepy, chubby watermelon. No one told me how hard snow could be. Yowch!

You’ve been touring in Australia with Kiwi band Midnight Youth. How did you get to know them?

Just through introduction really. Kenny had seen them on the BDO tour and an agent friend had recommended them to us a number of times. As totally issue 12 may 2010

clichéd as it sounds, we first hung out with them at this after show party we threw at this big house in the Hollywood hills recently. Good eggs…and they love to party!

Clap Clap Riot are supporting you for this show; do you know much about them?

Not a lot to be honest. I am looking forward to seeing them though, as I have heard nothing but great reports about the band’s live show.

You’re fans of the whole “wall of sound” thing, aren’t you?

Excess is a problem! Yes, density is a common theme in our music. I guess it comes from a massive love of rich and colourful music. Anything from the Motown/Stax era through to Arcade Fire and Nine Inch Nails contains all the elements of colour and weight in music.

Who are your influences?

My personal list of influence is ALWAYS expanding. These days I have been absorbing a lot of Brian Wilson….Air….Portishead…..Phoenix…Sigur Ros… Bruce Springsteen…Sufjan Stevens and of course the Beatles!

What was the recording process like, as opposed to the process for other albums?

Long. Surreal. Lots of interesting moments. By the end of the process it was worked on in like five different cities/countries. We had a real focus this time around, which was good for us and allowed us to be removed from our environment to concentrate on creation and feeling this record. Scott Horscroft, (a producer who has worked with Silverchair, The Presets and The Sleepy Jackson )who produced the record with us, helped us unleash our inner crazy peoples….there was some very, very bizarre days and nights. He also got thrown in jail during pre-production which was a great start to the record!

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Draw yourself as a superhero.

There’s two weeks left of lectures. You’re bored and flipping through debate to pass the time. What’s this? A drawing competition?! Perfect. Draw yourself as a superhero and write your superpower underneath. Put it in any of the debate stand boxes or hand it into your local AuSM office. The most kick-ass superhero will win a prize (TBC). Get drawing!

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Did you want some kebab with that lettuce?

necessary but as soon as it melts it just ruins the flavour of a drink that wasn’t actually Sprite to start with (it’s soda water and syrup). On one occasion I was actually denied this option. It was at the Berkley Cinemas in Takapuna and I was refused the no ice option on the grounds that it was needed to stop the drink spilling. Firstly, the cup had a lid and secondly, if spillage is the concern, then don’t fill it right to the brim. Unfortunately in some situations, like at restaurants, I can forget the no ice rule. Sometimes I overlook it on the grounds that I only infrequently get ice in my drinks at these places. When I don’t though, I end up in some pathetic attempt to try and transfer the ice to a different vessel. When no vessel is available, I just man up and let the ice knock me in the face as I try to drink.

Finally, I come to the Kiwi classic: the meat pie. How often do you build yourself up to its yummy goodness only to bite through the pastry and end up drinking the rest? Too much gravy in pies is not only annoying but a violation of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards. The standard for meat pies is that they have to be 25 per cent meat but my experience tells me that this is often neglected.

My biggest annoyance with these space wasters is that it means I’m not getting what I paid for. My complaints would be nonexistent if I had ordered a starter of pastry and gravy, followed up with a lettuce sandwich and all washed down with a glass of ice but who in their right mind would pay $14 for all of that?

With the advent of winter, there is a change

seems closer to repulsion and repugnance. When it rains we rush for our umbrellas, our overcoats, and our shelter. For those who aren’t so fortunate to be shielded from the rain, we must express our discontent. But why? Is this a natural response? The conclusion seems to be that this is a cultural injunction.

I hate to jump on the bandwagon, but the media is partially accountable for this social construction of weather. After all, the media constantly uses the term “weather bomb”. The discourse we are given almost unanimously is that temperate weather is good, and overcast weather is bad, in a nutshell.

This is the discourse regarding domestic or civil citizen life. Of course, when it snows down and farms are made baron we are told to lament. Similarly, when there is drought we are supposed to be upset and when there is flood we are taught to be bewildered.

From these apparently contradictory expositions, we are left wondering what weather is actually good, and what weather is bad? When we wish to go snowboarding, snow is good. When we need water for our crops (i.e. in Bangladesh), we welcome water with open arms. When we are cold and damp while walking to uni, we welcome illumination. When there is drought, we welcome rain. Some may derive from this that “it all just depends”. I suppose the inevitable conclusion, is that either all climatic occurrences are good, or none of them are good.

The next time it rains, perhaps you will remember this article, and look at the people around you. What faces will you see, and what face will you make?

The overuse of what I like to call space wasters really grinds my gears.

The dreaded shredded lettuce becomes a pet peeve of mine when it comes to ordering kebabs, Subway or Pita Pit. I like the lettuce as part of my overall product but I also like the other ingredients. Save some room for them! Constantly when I watch them make up my food and the lettuce goes in first I’m always thinking ‘gee save some room for the good stuff.’ Even when you ask them for just a little lettuce you still end up with a lot more then you wanted. Not only that but when you do ask for a downsize on the space waster they look at you quizzically like they don’t understand your request. I’ve witnessed this several times when friends have asked for just a little lettuce and have either been asked to repeat the question or their request has been totally ignored. I understand the economics of using lots of lettuce, especially the shredded (and therefore aerated) variety but surely these places are still making a decent profit from my $8 lunch. I’m really not really keen on paying that much for something that consists of an ingredient that is approximately 95 per cent water.

Another way in which these places cheat you from getting what you paid for is the use (well more like overuse) of ice in drinks.

From an early age my Macca’s drinks would be void of ice. The phrase “Sprite, no ice please” became embedded in my mannerisms during these encounters. My reasons for choosing this option comes from the fact that not only does the ice take up more room than is

in atmosphere. People are gloomier, crankier and morale is at a yearly low.

Generally, we associate this new ambience with climate, and perhaps the associated tendencies of “dressing up”, illness, or perhaps even staying inside with a movie or two, alongside some variety of tepid beverages, such as soup.

Already, we can see this seasonal variation is not limited solely to matters of “nature”, but that it flows into the “social world”. This brings me to my actual point; the rain face.

The rain face is something homogeneous and recognisable, yet distinct, unique and intricate. Sometimes people make the rain face when it is not raining. Sometimes even, it may be raining, but among certain persons, there is no rain face to be found; I would include myself in this category (although technically, a smile in response to rain is a “face”).

A few days ago, I attended the regional ANZEA (Aotearoa New Zealand Evaluation Association) symposium. One of the seminars was on hip-hop and its influence with the Maori & Pasifika community, which basically consisted of a bunch of hip-hop videos. One video was by Tha Feelstyle featuring Adeaze, filmed in Samoa and had these lyrics: “Sometimes when it rains, it feels like it was sent, to wash away all the pain; to give you time to reflect. Sometimes when it rains, it feels like it was sent, to wash away all the pain, to give you time to connect”.

One of the comments following the video was by a pacific island woman who said she remembered as a child being attracted to the rain and going out from shelter with fellow children to enjoy the rain. Conversely, sometimes when it rains in Anglo-centric, so called “western” societies, the emoticon

issue 12 may 2010

23

But hey! That’s just what I think

Well it seems this may be my last column

in this lovely magazine we like to call , and I find it fitting that I should go out with a bang. Don’t think this will be the last time you will be hearing from me though, ohhhh no definitely not.

You see, I’ve got a PS3 and a lovely TV with me now, so expect some glorious game reviews coming the way of anyone who cares. Firstly, for those out there who don’t play games, thank you for reading a column about gaming. Secondly, tape those socks to your legs because they will definitely get blown off reading a review about the latest games to hit New Zealand.

Anyway, back to what’s going down. For those of you who don’t know, E3 is approaching. While I would literally kill a deformed goat for the chance to go to E3, I know it’s something that’s probably not going to happen anytime soon. E3, or the Electronic Entertainment Expo, is where everyone who’s anyone (in the gaming world) heads to get all of the latest news about gaming.

There have been ‘accidental’ leaks of information prior to E3, such as last year when around three weeks before E3 pictures of the PSPGO hit the interwebs. Then when E3 did roll around and Sony showed off the PSPGO, it didn’t really have the same kick it should have had. But things like this are bound to happen in such a robust industry.

Now the reason I want to go to E3 is because I like to think I’m an aspiring video games journalist and if I were to go to an event like this, I know it would solidify this career in my mind. It would also give me the chance to meet other people in the industry who are internationally known (IGN, Rooster Teeth, G4TV for example) or even the guys at Official Playstation Magazine Australia (the magazine I have been reading for perhaps the past five or six years).

E3 is also always full of glorious surprises. Games or peripherals which nobody has ever seen or heard about make appearances and absolutely blow everyone away. Playstation Move and Project Natal showed gamers everywhere where motion controls are heading and just how we could be playing games in the near future.

It’s also a place for each company (Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo) to try and show each other up with flashy montages, lights, smoke machines, and celebrities (last year Microsoft got Paul McCartney and the other Beatles guy to talk about Rock Band Beatles). Last year I would have to say that Sony and Microsoft ended on an even playing field with Nintendo being fairly behind.

This is mostly because of the fact that it’s Nintendo and they pick the worst possible people to present for them (and definitely not because I think the Wii is a children’s toy).

Anyway, if you want to see what all the fuss is about, the E3 expo is from June 15-17 at the Los Angeles convention centre, so head on over there if you got the extra cash. If not, it will most likely be on YouTube within a couple days, so check it out. Who knows, you might just see something there which catches your eye, and changes your life forever. Well, maybe not forever, but pretty close.

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This is my final column for the semester,

so I thought I’d talk about finality. Not many people contemplate their own mortality, except for ninjas and presidents (mostly because to get to be in that position they have to realise there’s the possibility of assassination). Rather than an actual ramble about death, it’s more to do with what human spend their lives doing.

We often establish routine at an early age and then we conform to the social norms around us and accept the things we cannot change and try to work past them. So I raise the question: imagine what you could do if you knew you couldn’t fail? There are so many options with this; it’s almost like becoming invincible or having a million wishes. You could guarantee a lottery win, sit any exam on any subject and pass, get the partner of your dreams and generally live life better off. Oh, what a world that would be.

But there is a trick in this question. Just like in Jim Carrey’s Bruce Almighty, replying yes to all the requests of the plebs, you expect to succeed, but success is fairly subjective. For a starving African child success is eating more than once a week, while for a super rich white person success is having sex with a different girl every night and not remembering as you snort kilos of coke. Obviously this is a bit extreme, but on the flipside, you could be struggling to pay rent, scraping by at university and stuck in a relationship with a person who never really loved you (and there is nothing worse than that). I have over examined this simple statement that was probably just meant to be one of those motivational things that helps you overcome your personal mental blocks and live better as a person. To live that fulfilling life every person is supposed it live while here.

Hmmm, this has suddenly come a bit of a dark column, which it isn’t meant to be, but on such a grey overcast day it really makes you think about what is really the point of anything. It can sound a bit suspect, but everyone has those days when they are getting yelled at by the boss, or having an argument with a significant other and you’re just looking them in the eye while thinking “I don’t have to put up with this shit. Why am I taking this?”. We take that crap and disappointment because we crave the routine, the unchangeable, the regular events in our life that make us realise we are living and not just cruising through life on auto.

This may be a morbid column, but take from it this as the remorseless sweep of the second hand ticks away during those long classes and tedious moments of life remember that it’s worth it and that it could be worse – you could be dead.

Cycling in Copenhagen John K Probert debate is preparing to put its pens and

pencils away and have a bit of a rest for semester one as the rest of us are picking up our pens, doing battle with our PC keyboards, and facing exam questions!

Well done to Samantha and the team for their work producing our magazine with its diversity of content and columns. They even had the wisdom to include my occasional ramblings; how wise can you get?

I want to say right now that AuSM is AWESOME! How fortunate we have been during this semester to have the leadership of our president and executive and those who head groups, sports and clubs. Thank you guys, or as we Australians would say, “fellows and fellesses”.

Thanks events team manager and Vesbar bar manager and your great teams. Without your commitment AUT would not be able to offer a truly holistic experience of tertiary life.

I cannot leave out appreciation to financial services, health centre and counsellors and student services and Student Job Search. I also know how much the role of the International Student Centre is appreciated to assist and advise with a myriad of issues.

Also, I must thanks those who take up the role of student mentoring to guide and direct the new students in the initial days at AUT and then maintain a link to see how they are progressing and settling in.

Finally to the staff at Wellesley Student Accommodation where I am privileged to lay my head each night, thank you for the work you do on our behalf and to those residential assistants (RA’s) who assist and provide activities and meals from time to time. I also know from experience that same can be said for those staying at Akoranga Student Village.

Now as we turn to exam time. I remember the words of my theological studies head of school some years back now who said there were probably very few students anywhere who entered an examination room believing they were fully prepared. What is required of us is to re-examine our paper descriptor and fully understand what this specific learning experience has been designed to teach us.

I suggest we look at our lecture notes, power points etc and bullet point what they teach us as we step-by-step develop our knowledge of the subject. Use this as a base for your study and then develop some questions that arise around the major themes making up your subject and I suggest your study time will be well spent.

To those of you completing academic qualifications at all levels at this time, well done! Your future is ahead of you to use your qualification as a building block for your professional and personal life on leaving AUT. For those of us depending on marks which will allow us to progress further with our field of study, go hard to make your exam results count and ensure positive onward and upward movement for semester two and beyond (this includes me).

Those students from many lands for whom AUT has been home during this semester, go safely! To those returning from home and abroad the words of an ancient benediction are offered to you.

“May the Lord – great spirit, universal presence, watch between you and me while we are absent one from the other.” So let it be.

issue 12 may 2010

by Michelle Pollock

As I write this my time in Copenhagen is

coming to an end. Friends have already started to leave for home, and I am part way through my final exams. It has been an amazing semester on exchange at Copenhagen Business School. I have met so many awesome people and made friends from all around the world. I have gained a global insight into business, dealt with strange oral exams and taking my laptop and printer to an exam (weird, I know) and added an international experience to my degree and CV. Studying in a foreign country throws up a lot of challenges. It’s like being a first year again at AUT, except much more intense! I have to admit, our system may have some flaws but at least you can figure it out. Copenhagen Business School has a great reputation and I feel I have been able to experience a lot through both my regular classes and the various events they put on for students.

This includes a number of presentations by different companies and international guest lecturers.

As the only New Zealander at CBS this semester, I have had a fair bit to deal with. Having to live with a few Australians, you can imagine what happens! The people I meet do seem to rave about New Zealand though, either they have been there, want to go there or have friends who have gone there! Another AUT exchange student, studying in Glasgow this semester, came to visit me here in Copenhagen. It was awesome to have someone who knew exactly what I was talking about, without a few extra sentences to explain. I never thought the English language was so hard to understand, even among fellow English speakers. Case in point: my Australian friend asked a Canadian friend for a “rubber”.

Let’s just say the Canadian was a little shocked to be asked this in class, while the Australian was surprised at the response when all she wanted was an eraser! We have managed to get “keen” and “wander” into the American vocabulary though.

Being in Europe, I have had easy access for travel. Although my class schedule didn’t allow for weekend trips, I managed to take two weeks over Easter to visit Sweden, Finland, Latvia and Estonia. Before I leave Europe, I will also visit England, Ireland, Germany, Czech Republic, Italy, Spain and France. I am lucky to be able to fit this in, with a week in Japan on my way back to New Zealand also.

At first I shrugged off the idea of an exchange. It had been suggested to me a few times but I had brushed it off. After a visit to a friend studying at Otago, I made up my mind to apply – and more than a year later, this experience is about to be complete. I would completely recommend an exchange to other students at AUT. It has taught me a lot about myself, forced me to grow up and handle things myself (like almost missing an international bus from Latvia to Estonia). I have been able to see things I didn’t think I would get to and have a lot more to see before I get home. Good luck for all your exams and I’ll see you back at AUT next semester for co-op.

Vi ses from Københaven!

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Dear Agony Aunt, Lately I have been feeling really stressed out. Often I feel so anxious and worried and sometimes I find it hard to breathe.

Sometimes at night, I can feel my heart thumping in my chest and no matter how hard I try I can’t get to sleep. Is there something wrong with me? I am worried that I could really lose it or that I have a heart problem.

Freaked Out

Dear Freaked Out,

It is possible that you are experiencing a type of panic attack. At least one in 10 people experience panic attacks at sometime in their lives.

Usually this follows a period of extreme stress. Panic attacks are an extreme form of anxiety and they can be very scary; often people think they are having a heart attack or a bad asthma attack or even that they are going crazy. The symptoms can include: • • • • • • • • •

heart palpitations (rapid and/or irregular heart beat) shortness of breath trembling/shaking sweating a feeling of choking nausea, hot flushes numbness in the hands, fingers, arms, legs dizziness a feeling of extreme fear/terror or detachment.

If this happens at night it can be very difficult to get to sleep.

Panic attacks can come on very suddenly, seemingly from out of the blue or can be triggered by certain situations, eg being in a lift with the doors shut.

Although it sounds as though what you are experiencing is a panic attack, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible to make sure you do not have a medical problem. Although panic attacks can be very frightening, they do not cause physical harm or death. They usually last around four-10 minutes.

Remind yourself these feelings do not mean there is anything physically wrong with you and that you will not die. Try to distract yourself. Concentrate on breathing slowly and steadily using your abdominal and not your chest muscles. Tell yourself you will be fine in a short space of time and these feelings will pass. Often people will experience panic attacks over a short time span and then be fine, however about 3 per cent of people will experience recurring

by Jess Cann panic attacks. Frequently occurring panic attacks can have a major impact on your life and make you afraid of doing things that weren’t a problem before.

Imagine all the most disgusting fatty, sugary and If this is the case, it is very important to seek help.’ drippy foods you could ever eat and then mix them in a blender. Apparently, it’ll still taste good. However if you eat it and get fat, you only have yourself to blame.

Health Counselling and Wellbeing offer a free Thisiswhyyourefat.com posts photos everyday of mouth-watering fatty goodness, counselling service. You can access this by calling such as Oreo burgers and hot dog buns filled with deep-fried chicken nuggets and fries.

921-9992 for City campus or The website is so simple yet so effective; it’s enough to make someone’s mouth both water and dry-retch at the same time. The website takes photo submissions 921-9998 for North Shore campus. of foods that kids all around the world love but are so bad for you; they put the pounds on instantly. Take a S’more, for example. This delicious marshmallow and Or if you prefer you can access online counselling on chocolate-melted campfire treat fits in the palm of your hand. This square chunk of www.aut.ac.nz sugar contains 139 calories. However a submission to Thisiswhyyourefat.com shows a S’more pie. If this pie is made up of 10 S’mores, that’s 1390 calories!

How about a house made of sausages for walls and waffles for a roof? It comes with bacon curtains too! Falafel-wrapped sausage? Red velvet pancakes? The bacon mug? The sweaty cowboy? Bacon roses? Bacon caramel corn? There’s a lot of bacon on this website…

I sound like such a calorie-counting freak, which really I’m not. Thisiswhyyourefat. com is so entertaining, I look at all the food and the drool seeps from my mouth into the keyboard of my laptop, it’s just that good looking. It’s also awesome to see what other people around the world secretly crave. It’s like an e-food club.

www.thisiswhyyourefat.com

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with Tenani French

With Massey Palmerston North’s Frazer MacDonald

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

Follow it BP’s fake twitter account

They may be spilling shitloads of oil into the ocean but this [fake] BP twitter account is putting the LOLs on a sticky situation. The tweets include sum gems like “You know what they say about the ocean... Once it goes black it never goes back! JOKING - the water is brown” and “Oh man, this whole time we’ve been trying to stop SEAWATER from gushing into our OIL. Stupid Terry was holding the diagram upside down”. Check it out for a laugh: www.twitter.com/BPglobalPR

Love it SKYCITY’s Federal St upgrade

Heard the news? That ugly part of Federal St between SKYCITY and the SKYCITY Grand is getting an upgrade! Free for the taxpayer! Yup, SKYCITY is gonna pay for some nice new bricks and plants and chuck a couple of bars and restaurants along the street, and in return they want to put a building over the street almost the entire length! So we get a sunless wind tunnel in exchange for a few more swanky bars? Sounds like a bargain, especially given Auckland’s weather lately!

It’s time to reflect on your life and all the good times. Remember the time you used to suck the water out of the flannel and read books using your finger under the words.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) This week a man will ask you for the time. Other than that there is shit else in the works for you. Spice up your life, visit Palmerston North.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21)

You will probably have a birthday soon so cheer up. You will get drunk while celebrating your birthday and odds are you won’t remember why you felt so crap in the first place.

CANCER (June 22-July 22)

Someone will hack your Facebook and talk about how you shat yourself when you were at sports day when you were seven. Your crush will “like” it.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

You shall pitch the proverbial tent in a lecture this week. Be inconspicuous. Wear goggles.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Thank your parents for being so good to you, it’s about time.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Stream it TV3/C4 On Demand

TVNZ beat them to the punch by an eternity but finally the folks at MediaWorks have caught up and delivered a shiny new TV On Demand service. A whole bunch of new shows have been added to the online collection, including Home & Away! (Contain your excitement.) The quality has been upped and the site now actually makes it possible for you to find what you’re looking for! Oh, and a handy switch at the top changes the channel to C4 if you’re a youngin and looking to catch up on Skins. ondemand.tv3.co.nz or ondemand.c4tv.co.nz

Steer clear of the bottle this week. Instead, save your pennies and buy a scarf; you will need it in the winter months to come.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21)

Someone will call you ginger balls. This is not on and unfortunately a tussle will ensue. Remember you’re a Scorpio, fuck their shit up.

Stay strapped this week.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

You will receive a friend request on Facebook and a good grade on that last assignment you did. Your lucky number this week is 6.5.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Eat it Pay-what-you-want bakery

Here’s a cool little idea. A bakery in the US has started offering it’s meals without charging any price. It simply invites customers to pay what they want after they’ve eaten. HOW AWESOME IS THAT?! Apparently, because we’re all such inherently good people the business has actually been running in the black and people generally feel obliged to pay. Now if someone could just convince Vesbar to let us pay what we want I think we’d be in business... or maybe not.

If there’s something you think the student masses of AUT need to know about, send us an email to debate@aut.ac.nz with Suggestions in the subject line. issue 12 may 2010

You will stumble upon a stargate this week that will take you to wherever you want to go. Be careful though, you might end up in Palmerston North. Take a hat.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Bite your tongue!

Your hard headedness will cause a stir this week as you say a comment you will regret. Watch your back, especially in those seemingly empty car parks.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

It’s your lucky week.

Just kidding, this is going to be the shittiest week ever. The cross alignment of the stars means throughout the course of this week you will probably: stub your toe; get bitten by a dog or accidently let out a fart while laughing - causing everyone to hate you. Only positive is that you find 5 bucks.

But then you lose it.

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Karen Walker

Fashion at the Edge of the World

WORLD

Zambesi

by Heather Rutherford

Nom*d

O

n Tuesday, May 18, fashion historian and author of New Zealand Fashion Design Angela Lassig presented a lecture at AUT to an audience of fashion students and tutors, about the rise of the ‘fashion designer’ in New Zealand. She was joined by WORLD’s Denise L’estrange-Corbet for a chat about her label’s progression in the New Zealand fashion industry.

Lassig described how the idea of ‘fashion’ in New Zealand evolved from the notion that it was only something that came out of Europe, to New Zealand having its own distinct fashion aesthetic. It used to be that people strived to emulate European designs rather than be original, clothes were mostly homemade or manufactured in New Zealand, and leaving the house was an event that people aspired to dress up for.

Nowadays the design side of the industry is much more evolved. Even though it is not secret that some designers are still highly influenced by the European catwalk, this is happening less and less. Many New Zealand designers have earned their own spot on the world stage, clothing production has been streamlined and is mostly produced offshore, and there is more fashion variety in New Zealand than ever before.

The Fabulous Four: a landmark in New Zealand fashion

A serious landmark for New Zealand fashion design came in 1999 when four New Zealand designers, hereafter known as the “New Zealand Four”, were invited to show at a group show at London Fashion Week. In the audience were some of the biggest names in the media and fashion world, such as the then editor of Italian Vogue, Anna Piaggi. The “New Zealand Four” were Zambesi and Nom*d with their dark edgy appeal, WORLD with their couture-like experimentation, and Karen Walker with her intellectual and unique style. This landmark in New Zealand fashion and was a turning point for the kiwi fashion industry.

For the first time the international fashion industry had to sit up and take notice of this little country at the edge of the world. New Zealand was seen as having a unique aesthetic that differentiated us from what everyone else was doing at the time. We were seen as the dark, edgy and intellectual cousin to our Australian counterpart and were doing things a little bit differently to anyone else in the world. It also lead the people back home to believe that maybe fashion and originality were something that could be created back home. During the Fashion Design history lecture, Denise L’estrange-Corbet (one of the “New Zealand Four”) described how at the beginning of their label the general public of New Zealand didn’t make much of an effort when it came to fashion.

All that was going to change as our local talent made it big overseas. All four of these labels are still going strong today and are still sticking to their same distinct style.

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Trelise Cooper

The Future in Question

Now with an established fashion industry in New Zealand, the question is: in which direction do we head to from here?

As we become more recognisable on the world market, the world market becomes more recognisable back home here.

There is an increasing amount of diversity from overseas in the New Zealand retail scene which is creating more competition for our emerging local talent. However, New Zealanders always have remained partial to their own before any overseas label. This can clearly be seen in the amount of Karen Walker clothing and jewellery you see around Auckland. For the most part, New Zealand’s reputation for being dark, moody and intellectual remains unchanged. If I had $1 for every customer that comes into my work claiming they want to stay away from black, and then leaves with bags of black clothing, I wouldn’t have to work in retail any more. But as our industry becomes bigger this reputation is bound to change. Already there are local popular labels that do not adhere to this predetermined style, for example, Ruby, Madam Hawke and Trelise Cooper. Are we compromising our own image for the sake of fashion exportation and globalisation or are we simply keeping relevant to the times? Realistically speaking, as nice as it is to keep true to our traditional dark moody aesthetic, the truth of the matter is that market pressure from overseas and pressure from the consumer will eventually become two of the biggest drivers behind creativity in New Zealand fashion. If we want to keep up with the market there will have to be some compromise. There will always be a place for the “New Zealand Four” in New Zealand fashion, but the question remains, can we keep our image intact, and do we even need to?

Trelise Cooper Kids on the catwalk during Air New Zealand Fashion Week 2008.

Photo by Sandra Mu/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Bridie Witton

Communication Studies 1st Yr Shoes: Converse Bag, scarf and jumper: vintage

Shanne Pritchard Fashion Technology 2nd Yr Cardie: op shop Dress: made herself Shoes: Warehouse

Hitomi Wu

Commercial Design, 2nd Yr Hand Bag: secret shop in Japan Dress: Glassons

Illicit Clothing

202 Karangahape Rd, Auckland City

Mon – Sat: 10am-6pm; Sunday: 11-5pm.

You may

have thought that Illicit was a tattoo place. Well, when you look Photo: at the gorgeous www.myspace.com/ store front, your thoughts illicitstreetwear wouldn’t change.

It is covered with designs that are classic tattoos. Roses, skulls, you know, all the sailor good stuff. BUT even if you are freaking out when you walk in, I suggest you do take the leap, and walk through the doors, because Illicit is NOT a tattoo place...anymore. It used to be one, but now the tattoo place is next door (aptly named The Tattooed Heart), so Illicit is now clothing only.

Even so, every time I walk into this store, I feel a little bit nervous, like I don’t belong here. I soldier on anyhow, in the name of debate, and because I do really like the stuff they stock here. While you may expect stacks of t-shirts and hoodies (which you know I love and am inexplicably drawn to), you may not expect them to have clothing you could wear to town, a job interview, uni, and on a date. The Misery line features some very smart dresses and skirts in high quality fabrics and flattering designs. You may have seen ads of the dresses

Price Range: Size Range: Wear to uni?

Wear to town?

For guys or girls?

$20 - $225 8 – 16; S - XXL Yes and yes Yes! Both

with the models covered in tattoos.

Better than this though, for the guys, they have vests, some great jackets, and even shirts. These clothes have an instant cool feel to them. The clothes are not main stream, which means you won’t see every Tom, Dick and Harry wearing them, but they are all very good quality and stylish to boot.

I can’t help laughing at the glitter wax jeans though. These jeans honestly look like PVC pants; I can imagine them making a squeaking sound when you sit down…that could create an embarrassing situation on a date! Other highlights are the range of accessories. There are loads of stockings, bracelets, wallets, belts, hats, bandanas, and there’s even a range of super cute kids clothing...most of which feature skulls. So I suppose you really have to like that type of thing.

That reminds me of the “friends don’t let friends wear Ed Hardy” group I found the other day on Facebook, those people would probably not like this store.

Overall however, I give it a thumbs up. Quality gear, suitable prices and a bit out of the ordinary.

This review was written by a graduate in Retailing. If you are interested in retail and why people buy, take a look at papers in the Retail major in the Business School. You don’t have to be a business student to take the papers, so check out the website today! issue 12 may 2010

29

New York, I Love You

Directed by Randy Balsmeyer, Joshua Marston, Fatih Akin, Natalie Portman, Allen Hughes, Brett Ratner, Yvan Attal, Shunji Iwai, Mira Nair, Hu Hong and Meng Yao Film Review by Zoe Kitson

This is Happening LCD Soundsystem CD Review by Mike Atkins

Trying to ascertain what genre something is,

After seeing this movie, the word complex

instantly sprung to mind. New York, I Love You is essentially a collection of 11 short films that last for around 10 minutes each. Each segment has a different director and – for the most part – a completely different cast. The collaboration of the film occurs through the fact that each segment is set in New York and is based around different forms of love. Notable actors include Shia LaBeouf, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Orlando Bloom, Chris Cooper, Andy Garcia, Christina Ricci, Irrfan Khan, Robin Wright Penn, Julie Christie, Ethan Hawke, Bradley Cooper, Rachel Bilson, and Anton Yelchin.

Both the French film je t’aime and New York, I Love You are part of the “cities of love”; a series of films produced by Emmanuel Benbihy which aim to illustrate love in cities around the world. In New York, I Love You, storylines include a conniving pickpocket, a Hasidic women on the eve of her marriage, a writer using poor pickup lines, an artist looking for a muse, an messy composer, two strangers meeting, a couple of their 67th wedding anniversary, a child in a park, a teenager going to his prom and a retired singer considering suicide.

Describing the film is in itself a confusing task. The number of characters and storylines are extensive. This inevitably means that certain storylines are much more appealing then others. I found this was especially the case with the older couple, played by Eli Wallach as Abe and Cloris Leachman as Mitzie. Together, they created a wonderfully understated chemistry that encapsulates the essence of what Benbihy is trying to achieve with these films. Other story lines are less impressive, with some feeling almost pointless and unnecessarily complicated in comparison. In all honestly I have yet to understand the segment surrounding the retired singer, however Shia LaBeof produced a notable performance as a physically impaired bell boy which demonstrated more of his talent as an actor then many of his previous roles.

The most notable area of this film is by far and above the cinematography used to encapsulate the vibrant and diverse nature of New York City. The way certain segments are filmed creates a visual beauty that works as its own storyline, rather than just complementing the characters within it. All in all, the film as a whole is based on a very experimental concept that will no doubt be lost on some members of the audience. However, the cinematography and insanely extensive A-list cast alone makes it a worth while film for those wanting something a little different.

30

when the answer isn’t immediately obvious, is a fool’s errand. Even when you do come to a conclusion, you’re inevitably saying more about semantics than you are about the music. When things defy genre, it’s best to let them be what they are, and stop worrying about words.

Except LCD Soundsystem have now spent three albums – the latest being This is Happening – asking “is this dance music”? For the above reasons, it would be a question best left ignored, if they weren’t asking it so forcefully.

It’s a logical prerequisite of dance music that it makes you want to dance, yet LCD Soundsystem’s lyrical outlook is so subtly bleak that anyone who hears them might want to sit a spell, and think – and it’s hard not to listen to the lyrics. It’s a pretty impressive sight on the lyrics page to see how each song is so stuffed to bursting with words. Even the shortest song, Drunk Girls sports an unbroken, page long block of text.

This really should be no surprise after All Of My Friends, from the last album. It was Bob Dylan’s Like A Rolling Stone filtered through a Vice Magazine’s Dos and Don’ts section -ironic, world weary, and subtly but sharply condescending and self-deprecating. It was about as epically literary as a pop song gets, in that it told the story of this man who looks like the drunk uncle of one of the members of Franz Ferdinand so succinctly, but with so much passion and heart.

So, why then would this be classed as dance music? Because without the words, it is. The throng of the Lodger era Bowie guitars, and the ever-present synthesizers, and the thump of the drum machines fighting with real drums leaves with no doubt as to what this (at least technically) is.

There are a lot of cliches that could be invoked to describe the cognitive dissonance that comes of these elements coming together. “Singing in the end of the world”, “...when all you can do is laugh...”, etc… but none of those do it justice – they’re too blunt and inaccurate (not to mention melodramatic given Murphy’s impressive sense of perspective). It’s really more as if James Murphy has discovered a new language in which every possible sentiment sounds like blue-eyed funk; in much the same way every sentiment expressed in French sounds like a sexy purr, or a disgusting swear word in Gaelic.

Take You Wanted A Hit, a nine-minute song with no lyrics until the fourth minute (some of the more beautiful languages take their time getting where they are going). It’s a “we hate record labels and radio programmers” statement, which is so catchy that no radio programmer would be able to resist it (provided they had no hang-ups about song length). Some might see this as hypocrisy, but can you really blame someone for not having the words in their language for abject anger? He gets close on Pow Pow but it just sounds like a French girl swearing in Gaelic to a tune by the Pet Shop Boys.

At the end of the day, no one who samples Iggy Pop’s Nightclubbing is not out for a good time. The precedent was set by Nine Inch Nails, and Bjork. But boy, do you get a lot of baggage with that good time.

Disney on Ice: A Disneyland Adventure Live at Vector Arena, Friday, May 21 Review by Jess Cann

Robin Hood

Directed by Ridley Scott Film Review by Catherine Selfe

I was never a Disney kid. By “Disney kid” I mean

a child who rolled around in Disney memorabilia in my bedroom, watched Disney films religiously or knew the words to every single Disney song ever written. When I was offered the opportunity to go to Disney on Ice: A Disneyland Adventure, I never thought in my wildest dreams that I’d leave feeling like a fully-fledged Disney fan, and it’s on ice; who doesn’t want to go to a show that involves ice?!

Of course this is nothing in comparison to the thousands of kids that also attended, all under the age of 10, as well as the three 20-somethings that I went with (who are all Disney fiends). As the lights went down on the icy arena, the roar of squeals confirmed the fact I was about to watch a show aimed at children, not myself. However I was still drawn into the magicalness of Disney.

All your favourite characters are there: Goofy, Pluto, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and of course Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Minnie is so glamorous, her red dress billowing behind her as she casually skates around the rink and her huge mouse-head ever so nicely accessorised. Fashionable and casual: awesome. Mickey received the loudest response; he definitely brings in all the ladies (and by ladies, I mean mothers).

Mickey, Minnie and their friends set out on an adventure into the Disneyland theme park, visiting different rides and towns such as the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, the Tiki Tiki ride, the Haunted Mansion and the Monkey Kingdom from The Jungle Book (my personal highlight of the night).

But Maleficent, from Sleeping Beauty, curses two members of the gang to 100 years of sleep and they can only be awoken by “true love’s kiss” (two guesses as to who she captures).

As I say, the highlight for me was The Jungle Book scene. Fantastic monkey costumes, ice skaters swinging on vines hanging from the sky and the appearances of Baloo, the I Wanna Be Like You scene was just so well done and everyone in the audience was singing along making it just that little bit more special.

However, when dealing with ice or any sort of landscape you’re not actually supposed to travel across, there were thrills and spills. The guy who played Dash from The Incredibles fell over a couple of times and couldn’t land his tricks properly, which was quite sad. However one of the monkeys in The Jungle Book dance landed an awesome black flip on skates, while wearing a mask and wearing a skin-tight lycra monkey outfit! It was spectacular.

The show has wrapped up now, but Disney on Ice usually puts a different show on each year (last year was Disney Princesses on Ice), so next time they’re here – you must go! It’s something you don’t want to miss ever, as reliving childhood for one night is much more fun than studying.

issue 12 may 2010

Gone are the days when Robin Hood and Maid

Marian were foxes, Prince John was a lion and Little John was a big bumbling bear. Disney has taken a back seat while a heart warming story of justice from our childhoods becomes a much darker tale of how Robin Hood came into existence.

Ridley Scott acts as producer and director and has brought with him an old friend from his film Gladiator; Russell Crowe is back in his favourite type of role (the one where he gets to beat people up) as Robin Longstride (Robin of the Hood). Unfortunately before having seen the film I heard the interview that Crowe had with a radio reporter from the BBC, where the reporter suggested Crowe’s accent in the film sounded Irish. Crowe retorted with “you’ve got dead ears, mate, seriously dead ears if you think there’s an Irish accent” and after only a few more questions Crowe left the interview. I’ll stand up for Crowe here and say very firmly that he did NOT have an Irish accent. In fact, he had no accent known to man. It might have had a hint of Irish in places but it quickly morphed into something else moments later.

Despite his atrocious accent I found his performance solid throughout the film, although it lacked a deeper quality.

When I learnt Marian was to be played by Cate Blanchett I thought this was a grave error. Blanchett emanates a type of power that I believed to be unsuitable for Marian who, in my mind, was a perfect candidate for a damsel in distress. However, her portrayal of the role felt more realistic than that of any other rendition of the film, Disney or otherwise. Hood’s followers all did their roles justice, however Mark Addy as the Friar Tuck, could do no wrong. Addy is a re-offender at bringing quality and charisma to every role he plays and this was no exception. I thoroughly enjoyed every scene with him in it and felt he brought a different and suitable tone to the film. The final character necessary to mention is Prince John (Oscar Isaac). The power thirsty but ignorant prince comes to power at the death of his brother but does not know how to aptly use it. Isaac did a brilliant job at being seamless with his character. He became the physically inferior, frustratingly stupid prince audiences want to hate.

The story being told was interesting and easy to follow and, in conjunction with the characters, made for a good watch. The quality of the film had to rely on these factors as films set centuries ago in historical settings have little need for high usage of special effects or intricate sets. The action scenes were decent and engaging, although they would not feature in my top 10.

Overall, Robin Hood is worth the admission price even though it does lack a certain “wow” factor.

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Friday, August 6 Sports include: basketball, netball, soccer, touch, ultimate frisbee, volleyball, rowing, lacrosse

Melita Martorana AuSM Sport Team Leader melita.martorana@aut.ac.nz 021 813 428 32

WEBSITE: www.ausm.org.nz/recreation FACEBOOK: join our group “AuSM Sport�

Kate Lowden AuSM Sport Co-ordinator kate.lowden@aut.ac.nz 021 288 2586

contact Kate Lowden: klowden@aut.ac.nz or 0212882586

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issue 12 may 2010

33

Manukau Campus

Lapua Vavae

Bachelor of Health Science What do you like most about Manukau campus?

It’s a safe environment. And you can always get a computer here.

What are your plans for semester break?

Sleep. Eat. Party.

Air New Zealand, Pacific Blue or Jetstar?

Air New Zealand What is the best way to spend a rainy day in Auckland?

A pool party Who do you think should replace Megan Fox in the third Transformers movie?

Me

Treanna Tutaki

Bachelor of Health Science What do you like most about Manukau campus?

It’s quiet and everybody knows everybody, and there’s a table tennis table What are your plans for semester break?

Sleep Air New Zealand, Pacific Blue or Jetstar?

Air New Zealand What is the best way to spend a rainy day in Auckland?

Put on your gumboots and your raincoat and jump in the puddles Who do you think should replace Megan Fox in the third Transformers movie?

Sam, our editor for debate magazine

Charlene Pulefale

Bachelor of Sport and Recreation What do you like most about Manukau campus?

It’s small and quiet compared to the other ones What are your plans for semester break?

Work Air New Zealand, Pacific Blue or Jetstar?

Air New Zealand What is the best way to spend a rainy day in Auckland?

Inside watching DVDs with a blanket Who do you think should replace Megan Fox in the third Transformers movie?

Who is that?

Chynna Phelan

Bachelor of Sport and Recreation What do you like most about Manukau campus?

It’s small, easy to get to know everyone and no fights at the computers What are your plans for semester break?

Working, going to Wellington and Ohakune Mardi Gras Air New Zealand, Pacific Blue or Jetstar?

Pacific Blue What is the best way to spend a rainy day in Auckland?

In front of the fire, watching DVDs with a hot chocolate and some biscuits Who do you think should replace Megan Fox in the third Transformers movie?

Hayden Panettiere

34

Michelle Heather

Bachelor of Sport and Recreation What do you like most about Manukau campus?

Easy to access the facilities What are your plans for semester break?

Home, town, clubbing, party etc. That’s pretty much it.

Air New Zealand, Pacific Blue or Jetstar?

Jetstar What is the best way to spend a rainy day in Auckland?

At home in bed watching DVDs and eating junk food Who do you think should replace Megan Fox in the third Transformers movie?

Latoya M

This could be YOU!

Watch out for debate around campus --you could be the next micro-celeb!

Sausages & falafel with fruit (Moccona double shot for first 50 served) tuesday north shore

Wednesday manukau

1 June 12 pm

2 June 12 pm

outside library

issue 12 may 2010

Outside AuSM

thursday city campus Hikuwai plaza

3 June 12 pm 35

Want some cold, hard cash in your pocket???

UBS starts buying back your used textbooks for

instant cash

from Tuesday the 8th of June 2010

Get 50% of the current RRP of the textbook in cash.

Just bring in your textbooks and ID and the cash could be yours!!!

The small print:

* Books must have been confirmed by the AUT for Semester Two, 2010 to be considered for purchase. * Only the current edition for the confirmed textbook will be considered for purchase. * All textbooks are limited to pre-determined quantities. Once these limits are reached, additional copies may only be purchased at the discretion of UBS. * Proof of identity (Student ID or Drivers Licence) is required at time of selling your textbooks. * UBS has complete discretion whether it purchases back a textbook and its decision is final. * Other conditions do apply - please ask in store for details.

AUT Akoranga Campus AUT City Campus 90 Akoranga Drive, Northcote 55 Wellesley Street East, Auckland City Tel: 489 6105 Fax: 489 7453 Tel: 366 4550 Fax: 366 4570 Email: aut.akoranga@ubsbooks.co.nz Email: aut.city@ubsbooks.co.nz Web: www.ubsbooks.co.nz 36 Open Monday to Friday or shop securely online 24/7