CANTA ISSUE 11, 2024

CANTA

CANTALENDAR

24th September 23rd September

Waste Ed Workshop

5:30-7:30pm @ Tūranga

Sexual Wellbeing Panel

6:30-8pm @ Bentleys

New Caledonia Film Festival

6-8pm @ Lumière Cinema

September

The Beths

7-11pm @ The Church

September

Student Choice Awards

6-9pm @ Ti Kouka

Sunrise Yoga and Posh Porridge

6:30am @ Sumner Beach

Quiz Night

7pm @ The Little Fiddle

Darkroom Open Mic Night 7pm @ Darkroom

Supreme Club Awards 2024 6:30-11pm @ Haere-roa

2024 Sculpture Festival 10am-5pm @ The Arts Centre

Four Paws Marathon 6:30am-3pm @ Bottle Lake Forest Park

The final Canta of the year is released!

charge… Editorial

Editorial

See you guys later, I’m leaving Max in

Our new Canta bestie, Max the awesome mobility dog, has been promoted from article to front cover, now to the being the cheeky editor of this issue. He didn’t want to take all the spotlight, so he still let me write the editorial. And so, he welcomes you to the 11th issue of Canta – our Wellbeing and Disability issue.

The Olympic and Paralympic Games are my favourite time of year. This year especially, because of the free will of being a student with no parents around, I was able to stay up at ridiculous times to watch all the athletes compete. In most cases, I fell asleep to events and dreamed I was actually competing in them – I won gold in Swimming in my dream, if anyone cares. The Olympics has a huge coverage, with Sky Sports dedicating an additional 12 channels across 32 sports. For the Paralympics which started on the 28th of August, TVNZ dedicated five pop-up channels to coverage of the Paralympics. On TVNZ 1, Paralympian #166 Dame Sophie Pascoe and Scotty Robertson hosted a live in-studio programme every night of the Paralympic games.

The coverage did not at all seem on par with the Olympics. Especially considering The Spinoff revealed in an article published on the 13th of August that TVNZ dropped their Olympic reporting team from 11 staff members, to just one person to cover the Paralympic Games. Although it is a smaller even in terms of scale, I just haven’t been hearing enough about our athletes representing Aotearoa and how they did. So if you missed it, here is a little recap.

We ended the games 51st on the medal tally with nine medals. We equalled with Georgia and were just behind Indonesia who earned themselves a total of 14 medals. Our nine medals included one gold, four silver, and four bronze.

Women’s 200m T36 saw Paralympian Danielle Aitchison smash a Paralympic record time of 28.09 in just the heats of the event. She went on to take silver in the final, just 0.14 seconds behind the gold medallist from China, Yiting Shi. Aitchison did not settle for just one silver medal as in the

Women’s 100m T36 final she ran a 13.43 earing herself a much deserved double round of silver.

Anna Grimaldi was an absolute legend, bouncing back from being so close to placing on the podium for Women’s Long Jump and High Jump T47, to winning gold in the Women’s 200m T47. The crazy thing about this story is that the sprinting events aren’t even her specialty – and she won GOLD. Another thing making her win even more amazing is the fact she set an Oceanic record of 24.72, and managed to top her pre-Games personal best.

Will Steadman, the man literally goes to our university! He took home a silver medal in the Men’s 400m T36. A stunning achievement and a replay on YouTube that I recommend watching. He also competed in the Men’s Long Jump –coming fourth, and the Men’s 100m T36 – where he came sixth. Again, we have a literal Paralympian on our campus –what an amazing achievement.

The medals are cool and what not, but the athletes representing Aotearoa managed to smash four Oceania records, one Paralympic record, 11 national records, and 12 personal records. The athletes all have etched their mark in history, medal or not. This recap hasn’t done justice to what the Paralympian’s achieved in Paris. With most of them competing in more than one event. And no, I don’t mean more than one of the same event, I mean completely different events such as Steadman, who ran in the 100m and 200m but also participated in the Men’s Long Jump T36.

Long story short, our Paralympians are just as amazing and deserve the same level of coverage as our Olympians. If you want to watch recaps, head over to TVNZ or search specific sports on online - I really recommend it.

Enjoy the issue, do the puzzles, and look after yourselves.

Your 2024 Managing Editor, Hariklia Nicola

President's Piece

Hey y’all, welcome back! Luc here, with another piece. This week, we’re diving into something super important: Wellbeing and Disability.

The UCSA has always been about representing all students, and that means making sure our campus is inclusive for everyone, especially disabled students. We’ve been working hard to ensure UC is a place where accessibility is a priority. Recently, we got a huge thumbs-up from the National Disabled Students’ Association (NZDSA), who pointed out that our campus is the most disability-inclusive in New Zealand. But, as always, there’s more we can do. NZDSA reminded us that while we’ve made great strides, the journey isn’t over. They recently helped reestablish UCDSA, which will be of huge support to the UC disabled community.

One thing we’ve already started working on is swapping out the big, heavy doors at the west entrance of Haere-roa (UCSA building). Those doors have been a bit of a pain for students, and we’re making them sliding doors instead—no more wrestling with them just to get inside! It’s a small but meaningful step in making sure our campus is more accessible for everyone.

Now, let’s talk about wellbeing. Uni life can get pretty hectic, but keeping yourself in check (physically, mentally, and emotionally) is key to making it through in one piece. Here are a few quick tips to help you stay on top of it all:

Move your body: Whether it’s a short walk between study sessions or biking to campus instead of stressing over parking, keeping active helps clear your mind. Take breaks: Burnout is real. Remember to step away from the books every now and then. Go outside, grab a coffee, or just take a moment to breathe. Reach out: Don’t be afraid to ask for help, whether it’s from a mate or one of the many support services on campus. We’ve got your back at the UCSA, and UC’s wellbeing services are always ready to lend a hand. Sleep: Yes, sleep is a wellbeing tip. Pulling an allnighter might feel productive, but trust me, nothing beats being well-rested and ready to tackle the day. Now for some fun stuff! We’ve got plenty of awesome events lined up as we head toward the end of the year! And of course, I have to mention the legendary Tea Party. If you haven’t been before, think of it as the ultimate way to celebrate the end of lectures with 3500 of your closest friends. It’s happening right here at the UCSA, and it’s going to be huge. There are also smaller events sprinkled in, so keep an eye on our ‘What’s On’ page and make sure you’re up to date.

Lastly, get ready to “Drop, Cover, and Hold!” on Thursday, October 3rd, at 11:30 am for Aotearoa’s largest self-run national earthquake drill, ShakeOut.

Whether you’re a student or staff member, this is your chance to practise what to do during an earthquake. The connect zone will be handing out free milkshakes between 12-2, so look out on our socials for more info!

That’s all from me this time. A big thank you to the team behind the scenes at the UCSA who keep our student association amongst the strongest in Australia. We are proud of what we stand for and will continue to make our students proud. If you ever have any feedback, my door and email are both always open (within reason…)!

And as always, stay fresh!

Luc (ft the bestie Leonardo)

Tumuaki Piece

He aha te mea nui o tēnei ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. What is the most important thing in this world? It is people, it is people, it is people.

Māori have always had a holistic view on health. Te Whare Tapawhā and Te Pae Māhutonga, health models designed by Tā Mason Durie, encapsulate the importance of a holistic approach to hauora. These models emphasise the importance of your physical, social, mental and spiritual health being balanced and maintained individually in order for your overall health to thrive. Each of these four aspects are interlinked, suggesting that one can not thrive without the function of another.

With that being said, Te Akatoki are taking a holistic approach to our Te Wiki o te Hauora HinengaroMental Health Week. We have formed a range of events that reflect all the different aspects of hauora.

Mane (Monday): Pō Whakahaumanu - Time to catch a break during the busy term. Join us for an evening of pampering with face masks, cozy vibes, fish & chips, and great kōrero with your Te Akatoki whānau. Feel free to bring your favourite mask, or we’ll have plenty to share! It’s all about unwinding and knowing when to have a break - nau mai

Tūrei (Tuesday): Rā Māra! It’s planting day! Help us rejuvenate our māra. Harvesting kai is more than just gathering food—it’s about connecting with our whenua (land), honoring the work of our tipuna, and ensuring that we continue to provide for our whānau and future generations. Your presence will make this day even more special.

Wenerei (Wednesday): Collaboration with Lads without Labels!! RUN 72 is an annual community event to raise funds and awareness for men’s mental health. During the event, University of Canterbury students and members of the Christchurch community take to the pavement around UC to run for 72 hours, ensuring that there is always at least one person running. We will be having a waiata session to show some support for our fellow tauira putting in the mahi. Waiata carry pūrākau, whakapapa, and tikanga, helping people feel grounded, playing a key role for our hauora hinengaro.

Tāite (Thursday): Paint & Sip Night! We’ll provide the painting supplies, non-alc drinks, nachos for kai, and goooood vibes! Come with your hoa or meet new ones as we paint, sip, and create some mahi

Parāire (Friday): Yoga ki Tātahi! Let the guidance of tangaroa help you unwind and find your inner peace as we flow through a relaxing yoga at the beach. All levels are welcome, so whether you’re a beginner or experienced, there’s space for everyone. Transport will be leaving from the whare at 10:30am. So just bring

a towel and your water bottle. It’s the perfect way to start your day!

We hope that by working on all areas of your hauora, your mental wellbeing will be somewhat uplifted during Te Wiki o te Hauora Hinengaro. We look forward to seeing you at our kaupapa!

Remember, as your executive, we are here to serve you, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you need support. Below, you’ll find a link to a list of kaupapa Māori mental health and addiction services—services that are designed, led, and delivered by Māori, grounded in tikanga principles.

https://mherc.org.nz/directory/maori-mental-health-services

Most importantly, please reach out and talk to someone. You are never alone in your struggle and there will always be someone willing to help you.

He aha te mea nui o tēnei ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. What is the most important thing in this world? It is people, it is people, it is people.

Canta News.

Electric Avenue expands into 2-day event

Jordan Smith (he/him)

Electric Avenue (EA) has catapulted itself into the upper echelons of Aotearoa New Zealand festivals, as organisers have made the decision to span the Hagley Park based music event over a two-day period (next year, being over February 21-22).

By separating itself from the one-day festival crowd, EA will find itself in unforeseen territory. Not only will it pump much needed life into the local Christchurch economy more than ever before, but it will create a significant cultural impact not only in Ōtautahi Christchurch, but nation-wide.

EA is already a money-making machine for the city, drawing in over $6.3 million in 2024, the largest out of any event hosted by Christchurch this year.

However, ChristchurchNZ’s Head of Major Events Karena Finnie highlighted to Canta how with the addition of a second day, estimates of visitor spending are “over $7 million.”

“While short term benefits include economic impact through visitor spending on food and beverage and bed nights, the long-term gains for Ōtautahi are through boosting the city’s reputation, resident pride, liveability, and visitation,” Finnie said.

Finnie went on to further describe how the economic success of major events such as EA will create a domino effect for attracting more national and international spectacles.

“Christchurch has the opportunity to elevate its profile to both New Zealand and the global audience,” she said.

“Investing in major events supports three key outcomes for Christchurch, economic impact, city brand, and delivering community benefits. Electric Avenue exemplifies how these outcomes align with its success in delivering positive results for our city.”

But EA’s influence far surpasses just the financial realm. The addition of a second day creates an opportunity for the festival to grow exponentially in a cultural sense.

UC student Harrison Ryburn painted a picture of just how significant the new-look EA will be culturally, as he commented how the new format will only “magnify the amplitude of the event”.

“Making it two days will only increase that hype and standardperhaps even putting it on par with Rhythm and Vines. It is already a very artistic city and EA’s larger scale will only continue to highlight and showcase that to the rest of the country,” Ryburn said.

Finnie shared the same sentiment, as she explained that by establishing and nurturing local events such as EA, Christchurch can use it as a springboard to advertise itself as a cultural hub.

“The event’s success not only boosts the city’s reputation as a cultural destination but also attracts a diverse audience, contributing to a dynamic and inclusive cultural scene in Christchurch,” Finnie said.

Whatever genre of music one may enjoy the most, there is no denying that 2025 will be Electric Avenue’s biggest to date and will certainly shift the bar upwards for the festivals that follow.

“The face of renewal”: Who is the new Māori Queen? Elsie Williams (she/her)

In January of this year, Kīingi Tūheitia called for a series of nationwide meetings, asking for unity. As he lead and spoke to Māoridom, who felt their rights were slipping away, a young wahine stood beside him nodding in support.

He spoke of rangatahi as the future leaders, unaware that his youngest child, would soon be the one to lead Māori. Aotearoa now welcomes a new Māori queen after his passing: Kuini Ngā Wai hono i te pō.

As the eighth Māori Monarch, the 27-year-old is the second wahine to ascend the throne, after following in the footsteps of her grandmother, Te Atairangikaahu, who died in 2006.

Before her crowning, the new Queen taught kapa haka during her tenure at the University of Waikato.

While completing her Master’s in Māori Cultural Studies, she also sat on the University of Waikato Council, the Waitangi National Trust, and often accompanied her father during official engagements.

Though Ngā Wai hono i te pō’s rise to the throne was not guaranteed, it was highly favoured.

NZ First MP Shane Jones said it is more than just a generational shift. “She will be the face of renewal,” he said.

Jones’ statement aligns with Tūheitia’s own vision of rangatahi as future leaders.

“They’re on their way,” Tūheitia told the public. “That kōhanga movement is coming through. They have answers for today and for tomorrow.”

Te Tiriti o Waitangi lawyer, Annette Sykes, told The Guardian the new Queen symbolises the future she’s been striving toward.

Sykes, who has long advocated for Māori rights, said “the revitalisation and reclamation of our language has been a 40year journey for most of us and she epitomises that, it is her first language, she speaks it with ease.”

She further told The Guardian “political, economic and social wellbeing for our people is at the heart of what she wants and in many ways she is like her grandmother, who was adored by the nation.”

Sykes mentioned watching her grow up, and noticing her humility and thirst for authentic knowledge.

“She’s someone who wears Gucci, and she wears moko kauae. She is leading us into uncharted and turbulent waters, and she will do it with aplomb,” Sykes said.

Ngā Wai hono i te pō was chosen to be Queen on a council full of Māori men, signifying her role as “the new dawn” for not only rangatahi, but for wahine.

Are flat parties student expression or just a drunken mess?

Jordan Smith (he/him)

While it’s not always everyone’s cup of tea, the humble flat party has a profound cultural impact on a student’s life, and memories of their university experience.

However, there’s always two sides to a coin, and in the case of flat parties there’s a fine line from peak enjoyment – to an out-of-control problem, fuelled by drunken students.

The proximity of student flats in the UC area has helped create a strong culture of flat parties, forming an avenue for expression to flow

UC’s OpSoc President Edward Parks told Canta how the environment of a flat party allows for people to mix and mingle in a way that is rarely found in other parts of student life.

“It builds a much more relaxed environment for people to then express themselves,” Parks said.

“Whether it’s talking about hobbies outside of study, or how you both know x,y,z people, to there being a dress-up theme, where you can express yourself.”

While flat parties are a hub for interaction, club-led functions can add a whole other dimension in terms of putting those attending a tad more at ease.

UC CUBA President Jonnie Moffett said that by clubs hosting flat parties, it encourages students to “make a whole lot of new friends in a situation that doesn’t feel forced.”

“While non-club led flat parties can still be fun, they tend to be less inclusive and it’s usually the same friend groups that go to each flat

party,” Moffett said.

There’s no denying the importance and impact of the flat party on students, but when all social connections are heavily driven by alcohol, trouble can be only one vessel away.

UCSA President Luc Mackay said that the intent is a key influence in what direction a flat party takes.

“If the invites are public and people who aren’t friends are invited, it can get very sloppy, very quickly.”

Parks said in his experience of hosting large flat parties, it’s often better to have a higher number of partygoers that all have a connection to each other than a smaller number that struggle to find common ground.

“A cohesive guest list makes for a better time than an open invite or 100 people of very different ‘vibes’, which in turn allows for a group of people to express themselves in a comfortable environment.”

While the culture for flat parties is as strong as it’s ever been, it’s still vitally important to understand how the environment is volatile. Moreover, if the dice doesn’t roll in your favour, pathways can be taken to ensure safety.

Both Moffett and MacKay said that by registering a flat party to Good One, an initiative that makes local police aware of the host, support is closer than you think if things go south.

Music and your Mood

Plus a few bonus tracks

Music is everywhere. Thanks to the invention of streaming services, the popularity of platforms like TikTok, and the plethora of instrument tutorials available online – it seems music is more prevalent and accessible now than ever. Not to mention the sheer volume we consume through radio.

It is a privilege to often have music at our fingertips, and it has been proven to be a powerful resource, having positive impacts on mood, wellbeing, and being able to reduce cortisol levels.

To understand music’s role in university life, and how we are impacted by it, Canta interviewed some of UC’s students, most of whom agreed it is a key aspect of their study.

“I only really get shit done when I’m listening to music,” Lucia said.

“It’s not that music helps me focus; I need something to make studying less of a serious environment.”

Megan somewhat agreed, and told Canta: “I think it depends how focused I already am. If I’m like semi-focused, yes, it will be helpful, but if I’m out of it – no. I get distracted if I’m already not focused and there’s music playing.”

Genre can be a factor, too. It was difficult to accept that listening to Elliott Smith for multiple hours a day was not in fact good for my mental health, but the difference in my mood was notable.

So, while there is room for sad artists, for me that must be in moderation. For others, it differs. Lucia said music choice is not usually determined by mood.

“The music I listen to is not usually determined by how I’m

feeling, more like what I feel like listening to, and those are two separate things.”

Another noted that for them, genre matters; “when I look at my Spotify Wrapped from high school, when I was super emo, I think, ‘maybe this is why.”

Of course, there’s no one way to enjoy music. But, if you’re looking to try something different, here are some ways to incorporate it into your life:

• Create hyper-specific playlists for every situation you could ever dream of. Sure, shuffling your liked songs gets the job done, but the satisfaction of creating the perfect lineup of tunes so distinctly one thing is unmatched. I, for one, have 78 playlists and counting, and I’ve never been happier. And if you don’t know enough songs, that’s okay, there are millions out there waiting for you. If you really don’t know where to start, Spotify has a ‘Discover Weekly’ playlist tailored to your taste, #notsponsored.

• Make it a hobby. This does require you to spend money, so choose your instrument wisely. I made the mistake of selecting the piano, so if you’re on a budget –maybe learn to sing. What’s nice about it is that you don’t have to be good. Do I have an inherent talent for piano? No. Have I overcome that, and with hard work and determination become an incredible pianist? Also, no. Does that matter if I enjoy it? No.

• Go back to the old days. Physical media is awesome and has a payoff like no other. Not trying to be the guy that yaps on about how vinyl is a unique, superior experience - I don’t partake myself but hunting for old CD’s reminds me of my childhood. When my mum would attempt to get her hands on every new ‘Now That’s What I Call Music’ to add to her ever-growing collection.

• See it in person. I know concert tickets are at an all-time high right now, but if you can – do it. On a student budget, this may just be open mic gigs at a random bar, which may not sound as glamorous – but is still a good time.

No matter how you choose to experience it, music has the power to shape your mood. If you are looking for a quick pick-me-up, all it takes could be the right song.

As a sendoff, I’ll leave you with a few of my favourite upbeat songs as of late:

Love is Everywhere by Magdalena Bay. This whole album (Imaginal Disk) is a must for any synth-pop enjoyers, or regular pop fans looking to branch out.

Talk talk by Charli xcx. We may not have been in the right hemisphere for Brat Summer, but that doesn’t mean it can’t extend the stay.

July by Hozier. You might have heard his name a decade ago with Take Me to Church or recently with Too Sweet, but within his discography is a goldmine of poetry with R&B and Blues influences.

Breaking in Brooklyn by Dogpark. A summery anthem from an upcoming American band, with vocals you may recognise from TikToker Eamon Mo.

Touching Yourself by The Japanese House. Imagine if The 1975 not only had a female vocalist but were also gayer.

Alexandra Brown (she/her)

The importance of disability advocacy: Shining a light on Aotearoa’s disabled communities

The disabled community (hapori) make up a large demographic of Aotearoa. It’s crucial there is consistent care and focus in ensuring the community feel, and are, heard. However, there’s an ongoing epidemic surrounding disability inequality, and the need for constant advocacy and equity – something the community believe the government, and public, should be focusing on.

Programmes and initiatives exist in Aotearoa, facilitated by people who want to see the disabled community thrive. These range from supporting everyday individuals, to students and their education, creative performers and strong-willed athletes.

The Inclusive Performance Academy of Canterbury is a group of keen performers with disabilities who get the chance to dance, sing, act, and express themselves on stage with other tāngata. Fi McKenzie, a Canterbury creative, started the group in 2020 to provide the disabled community with the opportunity to be the ones on the stage, instead of being invited to watch others.

“It’s nice for them to be the ones doing the shit,” McKenzie said. “Inclusive [Academy] puts their world first.”

30 performers meet twice a week, for three hours across four terms. In every second term, the class prepares for and puts on a show. These shows are an amalgamation of ideas suggested by the performers. If they want to dance to a particular song or play a certain character, they can. With equal opportunity to put their ideas in, McKenzie uses suggestions to create a script.

With the help of McKenzie’s son Jasper Sutcliffe, musical theatre graduate Ben Jarrett, and a community of volunteers – from parents to caregivers; the Academy has performed shows such as The Wizard of Oz to ones written from scratch like ‘The Journey to Matariki’.

Although there have been similar groups in the past, this is the first performance group that is as streamlined and

Olivia Welsh (she/her) and Rosie Leishman (she/her)

specific in Ōtautahi, with McKenzie focusing purely on improving performance skills. The community is tight-knit and crucial for filling the gap for those who don’t typically get included in performing arts.

“It’s just about being inclusive, putting the people in the background or not in shows at all, in the foreground,” Jasper Sutcliffe said.

“It’s a small but big world – if you know what I mean. It’s a small world in that everyone knows each other, but it’s a big world that not a lot of people see.”

Inclusive Academy are most important for offering people creative choices.

“It’s really important to have something like this which is fun, engaging and helps develop skills… when you’re in this world, that means a lot,” Sutcliffe said.

The social benefits are equally as instrumental, with a lot of the performers becoming friends through the group. Before Inclusive, many participants didn’t speak much or have the confidence to sing.

But now Sutcliffe said, “you have to try hard to make them stop singing.”

“Everyone has become more vocal which comes from building a base of encouragement and safety… We’re not creating a hostile environment, everyone can express the way they want while also being pushed to try hard.”

Inclusive makes room for any health limitations within the group, but they try not to treat anyone differently from how professional actors would.

“Why would we?” said Sutcliffe, “the experience these guys want is to be in a show and act like proper actors because that’s what they are.”

Jarrett, who also helps with Inclusive Academy productions, said the Academy provides performers with the opportunities to grow their stagecraft and skills in a space to come and feel safe. This expands their knowledge and expertise.

“It’s easy for people to live in their own little world around people that are like them.”

“I think it’s so cool for audiences to see people that don’t look like them on stage. It’s great for the community to see that they’re funny, fun, so caring and although they look or act a bit different, they’re super cool with so many great things to offer.”

Jarrett described a young lady in a wheelchair who is predominantly non-verbal, but in last term’s production sang a song.

“She owned the space and filled the room,” Jarrett said.

“It breaks my heart when people don’t see that they can shine on stage.”

Performer Kate Kemp said “Inclusive is like my second family. They accept me for who I am as a person. I have lots of friends and I can be myself.”

“I’ve learned to be strong and be independent on my own,” Kemp said.

Emily Coull said, “It’s one of my favourite, happiest places to go.”

“Jasper and Fiona are awesome and it’s an incredible team to be a part of.”

When asked what needs to be done to support this community, Sutcliffe responded immediately with “[f]unding, more funding”. More money to pay for assistance and support workers means more participants can attend.

“More things to do as well,” said Sutcliffe, “the best thing we can do for this community… something that pushes them and they enjoy.”

Tri Rugby is another group in Ōtautahi enabling people with disabilities and vulnerabilities to play rugby. Originally coming out of Scotland, Trust Rugby International (TRI) Rugby is like your average game, except players wear different coloured head gear to determine the level of tackle.

Black is full tackle, yellow is gentle touch and takedown and red is just a touch.

There are also enablers on the field to support the players and the game flow. Participants are developing skills just like every other rugby player in Aotearoa. They just have that extra layer of support to ensure their comfort and safety.

Linda Healion is the Tri Rugby manager, and mother of team captain, Bradley.

“He’s always loved rugby… But was never able to play because his ability to play regular rugby was out of the question. So, he joined the Tri Rugby team,” Healion said.

Having been involved in the disability community for nearly 40 years, Healion understands the disability sector and was asked to get involved with Tri Rugby to support the High School Old Boys rugby club manage the team.

The difference TRI makes for providing the disabled community with the opportunity to get involved is unmatched and has been earning much appreciation.

One player, Mark Lewis, has been playing for over a year.

“It’s made a huge difference to me,” Lewis said. “I’m much more confident playing… the coaches really push me to the limit.”

Healion described a player with cerebral palsy who wears yellow headgear. “His parents have said that his mobility has improved… He hardly drops the ball or falls over.” As a result, his wellbeing has escalated “tenfold,” she said.

Tri Rugby enables those with disabilities to be a part of a team and play a game that is a rite of passage for many Kiwis interested in sport.

“It’s that social connection of belonging to a rugby club and I think that’s an important connection to have,” Healion said.

“We’ve got a player who wouldn’t get his hands dirty and when he first started, he wouldn’t go to the ground … now you wouldn’t even know any difference. He’s like any other player on the field.”

“It’s small steps, but when you look back at where they started and what they’re doing now – it’s huge.”

Healion also explained that Tri Rugby encourages players to understand how life works for those around them.

“You have to respect your teammates and all of their differences. You have to respect the coaches and the

enablers on the field… for some of them that’s been quite a big learning curve.

“Disability is always the last off the ranks … I’ve worked in the disability sector for many years and especially for those with intellectual disabilities, people don’t understand that people have differences.”

Healion believes including the disabled community in regular club activities adds value to everybody. “Often it’s not what we’re giving them but what they’re actually giving us and the lessons that we can learn from them,” she said.

Healion said the best way forward is to shed light on the diversity of disabilities to accommodate them while encouraging disabled individuals to pave their way.

Kahurangi Carter, the disability spokesperson for the Green Party, has her first-hand experience living with and raising a child with a disability.

She offers a personal perspective on navigating the system.

“Obviously people with disabilities have different needs. It’s about making sure that when decisions are being made about the disabled community, that we have not just consultation…[but] actual leadership,” Carter said.

This leadership can have positive impacts on the access standards for disabled people. Carter used buildings as an example of being far more user-friendly when someone disabled themselves consults or leads the development process.

Carter expressed the importance of ensuring the disabled community has a say in the policies that ultimately impact them, as lack of consultation has led to many funding cuts and changes to disability services.

“What has happened is that the community feels disrespected and disregarded. New Zealanders really care about disabled people, and actually agree that we want disabled people to be treated with dignity and respect,” she said.

High numbers from a recent poll indicated that the New Zealand population wants to see a full reinstatement of disability funding and equipment.

“We just need to make sure that the government is doing more of what the people are wanting,” said Carter, when summing up the ideals for the future.

Prudence Walker, the Kaihautu Tika Hauātanga Disability Rights Commissioner who is disabled themselves, also has a deep understanding of the hardships and barriers faced by the disabled community. Walker’s role is to promote and protect the human rights and Te Tiriti rights of disabled people and Tāngata Whaikaha Māori.

Walker is adamant that to support the disabled community, it’s critical their voices are included at the centre of decisionmaking and planning.

“Disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori are practiced and creative problem solvers. In a disabling world, that is essential,” Walker said.

“The people who face barriers to having a good life are best placed to drive how those barriers can be reduced or removed,” said Walker. “There’s a lot of talk about celebrating diversity and inclusion… but that often doesn’t include disability.”

Inequalities that revolve around everyday determinants can relate to travel, work education, and medication access. What some might not consider to be crucial impacts, might be the difference between living a safe and supported life compared to living without access to basic amenities.

Carter explained, that at the moment, it is still legal to pay disabled people less than minimum wage. “It’s crazy,” she said.

“We’re talking about basic access to housing, transport and freedom of movement.”

Carter also highlights: “New Zealand’s dirty little secret is that having a disability is a pathway to prison, and poverty.”

This reveals how discrimination is a huge factor behind the high rates of unemployment, and why people’s perceptions and attitudes can be warped.

New ‘Let’s Get Accessible’ research revealed that the tertiary experiences for disabled individuals have been a strenuous experience.

“With just 7% of disabled people having post-graduate qualification (compared with 21% of non-disabled people in the general population), there [remains] great inequity in accessing tertiary education,” Walker said.

These factors contribute to the hardships faced by the disabled community.

Whether it be accessibility setbacks through the upcoming removal of $5 prescriptions, the ongoing lack of accessible accommodation, education or unemployment, there is much more work to be done.

With the work of groups such as Inclusive and TRI Rugby advocating for inclusivity, everyone must do what they can to show up for the disabled hapori.

This starts with making sure that we lead with manaaki; generosity, and hospitality.

“Making sure that spaces are accessible,” Carter said. “The more that we make sure the disabled community is viewed by all of us is important.”

Secondly, prioritising education, and calling out ableism is essential.

“Educate yourselves about disability rights and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD),” Walker said.

“Learn about the social model of disability in which societal barriers are acknowledged as disabling people.”

There is also urgency for the government to co-design services for disabled individuals and prioritise a peoplefocused and rights-based approach.

While the public should be thinking about their own assumptions and challenging any existing stigma, those in positions of power need to be doing more.

To lead with manaaki, means that everyone needs to be involved.

Meeting Max Life Changing Loyalty

James and Max are best friends - a regular Bert and Ernie pair, or maybe Shaggy and Scooby Doo. But, Max is a service dog, trained to provide James with physical support, companionship, and security.

A Loburn local, James Riach is 24 years-old, and Max Riach, his loyal, golden retriever service dog, is seven. James has cerebral palsy, a congenital neurological disorder which affects movement, muscle tone, and impairs muscle tone and balance. He uses a wheelchair to get around, and Max helps him with just about everything the chair cannot.

James first met Max in 2019, when he was leaving high school, and he said applying for a service dog was a rigorous and scary process. Applying for Max took months and Max’s training took years - but he was certainly worth the wait.

Max is a charity dog, owned by Mobility Dogs NZ, and Deb Riach, James’ mother, explained after their initial, written application, Mobility Dogs wanted to meet James in person. Deb told Canta the charity then carried out “an in-person assessment of James, to assess his needs, and the sort of person that he is.”

“Very, very kind people will give money to the charity, to allow someone like James to have a dog”, Deb said. She told Canta that James and Max are “partners in life,” and in it for the long haul.

After the in-person assessment, Mobility Dogs try and match a dog to a person with a similar personality, Deb said.

She told Canta Max is completely in-tune with James.

With Max’s training almost perfected, Mobility Dogs then had to train James. Deb and James flew up to Auckland to spend two weeks at a dog-training-facility, where James was trained on how to take care of Max.

Deb told Canta: “It’s definitely not like having a normal pet.”

Max’s food, weight, training, and care is prescribed by Mobility Dogs NZ, and maintained by James.

Before he was paired with James, Max’s two years of training involved being with a puppy handler for six months, and even being trained in a prison programme for a year, said James.

Max knows 50 different commands and almost twice as many words, but he has definitely never heard the term ‘camera-shy.’ Max is as photogenic as they come, and James and Max have even featured in a Lotto New Zealand advert, which James told Canta “Max really loved”.

But Max’s stardom began when he was just a puppy, and in 2020, he was featured in the TVNZ documentary ‘Dog Squad: Puppy School’, which was filmed when he was training, and even followed him to prison.

James and family got a chance to see Max when he was still a puppy, which was “very exciting” according to Deb, as he came to the Riach’s as a two-year-old teenager.

Max is off-the-clock when he’s not wearing his official green uniform, but he still supports James, and – mostly – follows his directions, although he’s “far more sensible when he’s working”, said Deb.

James and Max in the backyard; Max in his working uniform, ready for a day out. Max the ‘super-dog’, all ready for Halloween in his matching costume. Source: Supplied / Deb Riach.

Amy Riach (she/her)

When he’s working, Max can go to movies, on planes, and ride the bus. He’s even allowed to stay in a motel, and according to Deb, Max has “never really been alone”.

According to James, even when he’s at home and not in uniform, Max can take laundry out and put it in a laundry basket, as well as being able to open doors and cupboards, turn light switches on, and help James’ take his jacket off and get undressed.

He can pick up anything I drop and give it back,” James said.

Max takes his job even more seriously when he’s in public. “My favourite place to take him is the mall … [Max can] carry my McDonalds through the mall,” James told Canta.

Max is on a very particular diet to keep him healthy. He’s weighed every month, and only gets treats as part of his training, but “he’ll do absolutely anything for a saveloy or deer liver,” James said.

Thanks to Max, James can stay at home alone and keep his independence. Deb told Canta - James has more confidence, and Max has made a huge difference as a friend and companion.

Max helps James talk to people that he wouldn’t normally, said Deb, and she told Canta that Max also helps others to feel more confident approaching James.

“They might not talk to a person with disabilities normally, but because of the dog, they feel like they can.”

According to James, “my friends absolutely adore him.”

“We love Max, and he’s such an important part of the family,” Deb said. The Riach’s will keep Max as a pet when he retires, and although he will lose his public access when he leaves working life, he will still be able to help James around home.

James is convinced that with a bit more training, Max could open the fridge, and get a bottle of beer, but according to Deb that theory has not yet been tested.

One thing all the Riach’s can agree on: Max is a very good boy.

Max waits for James at Coffee Worx, happy to be working on a day out in Rangiora. Source: Supplied / Deb Riach.

That’s so chronic! Interview with Jess Brien

Elsie Williams (she/her)

“Sometimes you wake up and wish you just had a sign where everybody would know that something’s going on for you, and to just be a little bit kinder. But living with this has made me realise that we truly have no idea what’s going on in someone else’s life.”

In the middle of serious health challenges, Jess Brien felt more alone than ever. After battling multiple sclerosis for five years, she couldn’t help but notice the overwhelming silence surrounding chronic illness.

“I felt super alone,” Brien said. “I was like, surely I’m not the only person in the world feeling like this or experiencing these symptoms.”

The lack of visible, ongoing stories about those simply living with chronic illness resonated deeply with Brien. Inspired by Kris Hallenga, an author and influencer who shared her journey with stage 4 breast cancer, Brien realised how uncommon it was to hear stories from people still in the trenches of their diagnosis.

“A lot of the stories you hear are either because someone has passed away or [because] they’ve gone into remission. You rarely hear about the people just living with it.”

This realisation sparked a mission for Brien, one that would ultimately lead to her own podcast, That’s So Chronic, in 2019. “I just wanted to connect with other people living with chronic conditions—whether they’re surviving, thriving, or somewhere in between.”

At first, Brien humbly admits, it was a selfish endeavour. “I just wanted to chat with people,” she told Canta.

But her podcast soon blossomed into something much more meaningful, providing a platform for those whose stories often go untold. As Brien approaches the graduation for her second degree—a Bachelor of Health Science—her focus remains on studying, traveling, and embracing new opportunities, all while balancing her personal health journey.

Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2014 after losing vision in her right eye, Brien’s life took an unexpected turn. Optic neuritis, an inflammation of the optic nerve, led to an MRI that revealed lesions on her brain. The diagnosis of MS — a condition in which the immune system attacks the protective coating around nerves in the brain and spinal cord — was a pivotal moment. Despite the challenges, Brien’s vision returned, and with it came a renewed sense of purpose. For Brien, the last decade has been marked by chronic pain, a constant companion in her MS journey.

“That’s been a big part of my experience,” she said.

Yet, through it all, she has found comfort in community. Attending in-person peer support networks, like the ones organised by the Canterbury Clinical Network, helped her realise she wasn’t alone in her struggles. “We all completely understood what it was like. It was so special.”

Her podcast became an extension of that feeling, creating a space where people living with chronic illness could share their stories, feel seen, and connect with others who understand.

Rather than actively searching for her next venture amidst her studies, Brien found herself “shoulder-tapped” for an opportunity that seemed destined. While in Scotland, she was enjoying lunch at her favourite noodle spot when a fortune cookie caught her attention.

“Now bear with me here,” she recalled. “I opened a fortune cookie, and it said something like, ‘when opportunity knocks, open the door.’”

She didn’t think much of it until later that day when her inbox revealed an unexpected opportunity. Brien had been scouted through her podcast and mutual connections by awardwinning director and producer Robyn Paterson and celebrated producer and editor Jai Waite. What truly brought them together, though, wasn’t just their accolades, but a shared passion for dynamic casting and authentic representation of disabilities and chronic illnesses.

Sweet Productions Ltd, a new and innovative disability-led company, aims to bring purposeful, authentic, and diverse content to a broad audience.

As Brien put it, “created by award-winning practitioners committed to a fresh and ethical industry culture, Sweet takes a flexible approach to production, embracing new-generation platforms, perspectives, and storytelling techniques.”

After being approached, Brien shared her fortune cookie moment with Paterson and Waite to test if the vibe felt right.

“They were just so excited. And I thought, these are definitely my people.”

Working with Sweet Productions has been a thrilling experience for Brien.

“It’s been so exciting because they’re still a new company

with lots of ideas and dreams. They’re really dedicated to shaking up the film and TV industry by sharing diverse and authentic stories.”

Though she works remotely from her base, far from their Auckland office, Brien’s involvement hasn’t slowed down. From her internship role to promotion, community outreach, working with the cast and crew for the Wheel Blacks documentary, and researching for a new documentary series, her hands are full.

Brien is particularly excited about blending her two passions— health and entertainment. “It’s been really exciting to marry my worlds together,” she shared.

Working alongside respected professionals like Paterson and Waite has been a remarkable learning experience.

“They’re incredible people who have worked on so much. Absorbing their knowledge and expertise has been wonderful, and they’re always open to new ideas.”

For Brien, storytelling remains at the heart of her passion: “I wholeheartedly believe in storytelling. It’s been around for thousands of years, and it’s such a powerful medium. Working with Sweet Productions has reminded me just how valuable it is to share stories.”

She is eager to explore new ways to ensure her stories reach broader audiences, especially considering accessibility challenges.

“Podcasts aren’t always accessible for everyone. I’d love to explore other formats, like more social content or written pieces, to reach more people with That’s So Chronic.”

Like many students in their final year, Brien experiences moments of uncertainty about the future. “Some days I wake up excited, feeling like the world is my oyster. Other days, I think, ‘Oh no, what have I done?’ It’s an existential crisis we all go through.”

Despite the challenges in the industry, Brien remains optimistic. “Especially right now, in New Zealand, it’s easy to feel discouraged across many industries. But you just have to find what sparks joy. The world would be such a boring place without film and TV.”

She believes storytelling will endure, no matter the changes in media. “People will always want to hear stories and tell their own. Storytelling will be around forever—we just need to keep finding new ways to do it.”

Podcaster, entertainer and advocate, Jess Brien. Source: Charlie Rose Creative.

Podcaster, entertainer and advocate, Jess Brien. Source: Charlie Rose Creative.

Are You Putting the Well in Wellbeing?

Wellbeing is about more than only life satisfaction and joy, but rather the sense of meaning and purpose we experience. The commitment to positive and sustainable wellbeing is hugely important to Aotearoa in general, with The Mental Health Foundation for example committing itself to helping New Zealanders find a state of ‘good’ mental health through providing a range of tools and support.

This is also done through education and frameworks, like the widely utilised Five Ways to Wellbeing and Te Whare Tapa Whā - a wellbeing model developed by Sir Mason Durie in 1984 to describe health and wellbeing as a wharenui (communal house of the Māori people of Aotearoa).

For university students, wellbeing is crucial, especially in the context of academic life. Being able to juggle academic expectations and a positive outlook on the present and future, can be a big ask for anybody just trying to get through the day.

Having assignments due, projects to complete, and exams to sit can be the focus of any student to the point of neglecting other aspects of wellbeing. This could be through forgetting to eat, not drinking enough water, or going to bed late at

night consistently throughout the week.

“An obvious stressful situation is the day an assignment is due,” Alec (they/them), a current University of Canterbury student, said.

“As a health student most of my assignments are focused on how to improve others’ wellbeing, so I’ve managed to incorporate some of these strategies.”

As well as juggling academics, it’s been noted that some of the most common challenges faced by students encompass themes surrounding finances and being able to navigate support systems not just when you require them, but prior.

Megan Nelis, a Wellbeing Specialist, commented on the challenge of loneliness, and how this can be one of the frustrating barriers to overcome in student life.

“Adapting to the first time out of home, new routine, perhaps new location, and full responsibility and autonomy for your own life in a large campus environment may be daunting and hard to navigate. If you also study remote or are not on campus often, this can decrease your natural chances of

Olivia Welsh (she/her)

connecting with others,” Nelis said.

Being able to feel a sense of belonging is key, therefore, being able to overcome the sensations of loneliness on a holistic level is needed to thrive.

Another common challenge that of identity. As a result of moving on from high school, and perhaps being separated from whānau and childhood friends for the first time, it can be hard to know who you are, what you want for yourself in the future, and how to get there.

“Big philosophical questions we may feel pressured to find the answer for at university, which while not the case can still remain an overwhelming feeling,” Nelis said.

There is always going to be information regarding what wellbeing is, and why you may be having a difficult time keeping things afloat.

Being able to recognise when you’re not doing your best is the first step. Wellbeing extends beyond mental health to keeping your physical and social health in check, through going to the gym. Engaging in student clubs is just as important as managing mental health.

“Drop in energy levels, mood, normal eating patterns, emotional fluctuations, or other things changing that are out of the norm? This might be your body giving you a sign that it’s starting to not cope,” Nelis said.

Students at UC have access to a range of wellbeing resources and services, including talking with the Student Care team, and activities like a Grief Support Group and a Rainbow Café meetup running this semester.

“There is a wide range of people and expertise available at the University of Canterbury to offer students support, health and guidance… Services that support student wellbeing are promoted throughout the year, both by the teams and through direct emails to students, social media, and the digital screens around campus,” a University of Canterbury spokesperson told Canta.

Statistics from the most recent UCount survey found that 74% of students reported being satisfied with Student Care advice and events. Consistently, feedback is received by UC’s Student Wellbeing team from the Kaiwhakatere Oranga | Wellbeing

Navigators which allows generating ideas for new initiatives.

“With wellbeing and coping there is not ‘one size fits all’, or even most people. My advice for all is to get your coping tools sorted early and top them off regularly. If you thrive off routine, lock it down…Avoid the copy and paste or following the ‘wellbeing’ trends” – find what works for you,” Nelis said.

“At the end of the day, no matter how big or small your struggle is, was, or may be – please do not belittle it or avoid accessing help.”

Wellbeing might be an automatic priority for you as a student, where you’ve set yourself up for success from the start by creating long-lasting routines and habits for life. It might not be, and that is entirely okay.

“University study isn’t always easy – it’s a time of significant learning and challenging yourself to get through all the assessments and academic requirements. But you don’t need to do it alone; there is an extensive support network at UC set up to help students succeed and feel well,” said the UC spokesperson.

“We advise students to be kind to themselves and each other.”

As the year slowly but surely begins to end, it can be easy to let ourselves fall into unhelpful patterns because we do not know any better, or maybe are afraid to seek support.

Who knows, we might just be tired and looking forward to a few months without a deadline, but it’s by giving things a go that we discover strategies that will help us thrive as students.

“Some strategies that I use to manage my wellbeing are making sure I take breaks to watch an episode of the show I’m watching, have a study session with friends and also go to the gym at least once a week to make sure I move more than walking from my car to the library,” said Alec, on how they feel their best.

Just know that whatever is thrown at you, whether it be related to your qualification, or a personal barrier that needs overcoming, you’re not alone.

Neurodivergence and Social Media Neurodivergence and Social Media

Amy Riach (she/her)

The online doctor, sometimes known as TikTok, has diagnosed almost all of us with migraines, gut biome issues, or chronic un-intuitive eating – as well as providing nifty tips and tricks for culling the lot.

But recently, ADHD-tok has taken over, and a combination of neurodivergence and self-diagnosis has become increasingly popular - Is this the result of an emerging community, or a social-media fad that has taken off?

According to postgrad student Caitlyn McMillan, who is writing her masters thesis on neurodivergence, identity, and selfdiagnosis on social-media, the emerging phenomenon is a community, which has resonated with many young kiwis.

The exploding visibility of neurodivergent creators is a matter of representation, McMillan said.

“Calling it a fad or trend is a disservice to some of the creators making space for themselves where there normally isn’t.”

Discouraging conversations about neurodivergent content online are polarising, and according to McMillan, can reduce content by neurodiverse creators, who are carving space for themselves online, to the easily beguiled product of a trend.

“TikTok has allowed people to represent themselves more accurately than they sometimes are in other forms of media, and it allows for a more diverse representation of identities, especially for neurodivergence,” McMillan said.

Neurodivergence might be prominent on TikTok, but it is conspicuously absent from other media? When you picture representations in TV and film, they are mostly typecast roles filled by white, autistic men with intense special interests, McMillan told Canta.

And while it is still important to value those representations, Sheldon Cooper and Spencer Reid can only take us so far.

“TikTok content represents more diverse forms of neurodivergence which can be beneficial for women, gender diverse people, and people of colour,” McMillan said.

According to an anonymous, second-year politics student, “seeing other neurodiverse people online, and seeing yourself represented online can be very powerful.”

As a society, we’re only now beginning to de-stigmatise or acknowledge neurodivergence, and the numbers of recognised neurodiverse people are bound to increase, as we reduce stigma.

“Neurodivergence content online can often give people the language to understand things they have always felt were ‘wrong’ about themselves,” McMillan explained.

The language of neurodivergence, which has made its way out of doctors’ lounges and testing offices, and found its sticking place in a TikTok algorithm, has given people who have always struggled, the right words of expression.

McMillan told Canta, “I don’t strongly believe there are many cons to people seeking more information or diagnoses because of social media – you either are neurodivergent or you’re not, and people tend to feel very strongly about being neurodivergent before seeking professional diagnoses.”

For many people, self-diagnosis is a tool, a way to learn more about themselves and their habits, and according to McMillan, there are major barriers in Aotearoa for seeking a diagnosis. The diagnostic process is far too expensive for most people to access privately; especially for young people like students, or the waitlist is too long for the public system to handle, presenting another major issue.

According to one anonymous postgrad student, “cost is probably the most significant barrier.”

He explained that although cost varies depending on the region you’re in, autism or ADHD diagnoses can cost a few thousand. Furthermore, even after accessing a diagnosis – a lengthy, costly process as it is – medical and psychological support is also incredibly difficult to access.

Often, young people find that they aren’t believed by medical professionals, a social barrier which primarily affects women, people of colour, and gender diverse people, so content online can be an entry point to having more understanding about oneself and accessing more attainable information.

For those who can manage their neurodivergence without official or medical forms of support, self-diagnosis, or at least self-identifying, can be a beneficial way to make accommodations in everyday life, and according to the anonymous postgrad student, self-diagnosis “provides peace-of-mind.”

Self-diagnosis might allow a neurodivergent person access to certain support networks, many of which are published on social-media; new habits, ‘life-hacks’, and tips which help them to manage life a bit better, even without access to a medical diagnosis or medication.

According to McMillan, “it gives people the language and knowledge to understand themselves and be less harsh on themselves for not being able to participate in a neurotypical society like neurotypicals can.”

“Self-diagnosis for me was really for peace-of-mind,” the same anonymous postgrad student told Canta.

“I take it with a grain of salt because it’s not a professional diagnosis, but from what I’ve gathered online, and what I’ve learned from friends who are officially diagnosed, I fit a few of the criteria for ADHD”.

He explained that although that self-identification was not enough for him to want to seek a medical diagnosis, it has been enough to expand his research.

“I have read a bit more about it, and started to understand why I have all my habits, in order to function, and I’ve looked into coping strategies recommended for ND folks,” he said.

The amount of readily available information on social-media, published in easily consumable bite-sized portions, has made access to knowledge, especially about neurodivergence and mental health, a lot easier. Social media is also a place to access information where most people feel comfortable engaging with it.

However, as a source pointed out – TikTok is not always ideal, as your one stop shop for information. Those seriously looking to self-diagnose are better to also engage with self-directed research in medical journals, professional websites, scholarly sources – and of course, professionals in the field.

Ultimately, whether through social-media or another social lens, seeing yourself represented in media is crucially important to self-understanding and identity.

“While the rest of the world catches up and starts to portray neurodivergence accurately, helpfully and respectfully, I think the creators on social-media are doing a great job of it now,” McMillan said.

Caitlyn McMillan is still recruiting participants for a focus group, for her research on TikTok, neurodivergent content, and selfunderstanding. If you’d be interested in knowing more, she invites you to get in touch with her at cbm59@uclive.ac.nz.

Tips & Tricks

Cantabury Tales

Welcome to a new column where we respond to a tale submitted by one of you and attempt to give advice. Want us to respond to your tale? Email us at editor@canta.co.nz.

Dear Canta,

Long story short, I have been in a situationship with a guy for almost nine months and it kinda sucks. He acts like we are literally a couple but says he doesn’t want to commit. All my friends think I am insane, and I’m starting to like him less.

No idea what to do, do I end it or just keep going to see where it heads?

Love,

Anon

Dear Anon,

That really sucks.

First thing – maybe have a chat with him and let him know where you are at, if you haven’t done this already. It is always good to see if you are both on the same page (he might surprise you!) or maybe he just didn’t know how you felt. Either way, open communication is a great thing.

If he isn’t wanting a relationship and that is something you are wanting – it could potentially be a sign to move on. It’ll be tough but you don’t want to be in a situationship that doesn’t make you happy!

In regards to your friends thinking your insane, it is about how you feel – not them. They can be friends and give their advice (when asked, ofc), but they are also supposed to be there and support you! So remember, your opinion is always the final opinion – no matter what!

Hope this helps, and again, listen to what you want – at the end of the day, that is the only opinion that matters!

Love,

Canta

What sleeping position are you?

Take naps often?

Whenever I can

Favourite way to unwind?

Sleeeeeeeep

Watching a movie/show

Do you still have your childhood stuffed toy?

Of course! Sadly, no

Which do you prefer?

Best picnic spot? Not really

On the beach

Have you washed your sheets recently?

Hanging with people Solo, quiet time Yup

In the park

Oh yeah, totally…

Which is scarier?

Being alone

Growing old

Kickflips and kicking ass

The Wahine taking over board sports

As Sunday afternoons roll around, the Skatebirds spread their wings across different pockets of Ōtautahi and reclaim skate parks as a place for everyone.

“I think it’s easy in board sports to feel like you don’t belong due to the majority around you practicing the sport being men,” said Georgie Kirkland, founder of Skatebirds.

“It seems to be that at skateparks people look a certain way and fit a mould. And so it was important to us to create a community that anyone can feel confident in those environments and make them less intimidating.”

Skatebirds is one component of The Indy Project, a group empowering wahine to shred the streets, surf, and slopes.

“We were like man, we just don’t see enough girls out here doing these sports, and we know how good it makes us feel. Surely there’s other girls out here that could have this feeling too,” Kirkland said.

Though they saw so much value in board sports, they couldn’t help but notice that they were the “odd ones out”.

So, in March last year they decided to do something about it, partnering with the already established surfing group Seabirds and its founder, Brittany Andrews.

Andrews’ passion for wahine driven sports was sparked by a Sport New Zealand study, showing that by age 17, young

women spend 28% less time being physically active than young men due to the complex interplay of physical, social, and psychological changes during puberty.

“To me, that is pretty heartbreaking. So that’s why we aim to uplift, support and create an inclusive environment, so women & non-binary people can feel safe and welcomed,” Andrews said.

The roll-on effect has led to the University of Canterbury starting its own Skatebirds club, run by Rachel Smith.

“I used to wonder where the other wahine skaters were and wish that I had people to skate with. The Indy Project made that happen,” Smith said.

UC Skatebirds was created to build a community of wahine and non-binary skaters within the university setting, linking into to The Indy Projects’ events, but often on campus.

“Being a wahine skater can be lonely, I used to wonder where the other wahine skaters were and wish that I had people to skate with,” Smith said.

Elsie Williams (she/her)

The Sunday afternoon crew checking out the pump track for the first time. Source: Canta / Elsie Williams

“The Indy Project made that happen in the Christchurch community creating a beautiful, safe, inclusive community where we learn from each other, try new things and build friendships.”

Smith emphasised the importance of this, as skateboarding spaces are typically male dominated and intimidation can prevent participation.

“As a current uni student, I saw there was a real need for this type of space within the university setting, so with the encouragement of The Indy Project gals, UC Skatebirds was born.”

Skatebird numbers continue to soar each month, with up to thirty attendees each session.

“We are getting new faces turning up at each event. And even better, having people come back,” Kirkland said.

Longboard dancer and downhill skateboarding champion Elissa Mah, discovered her talent 14 years ago, after concluding traditional sports weren’t for her.

“I was that last kid to be picked on the sports team, so I thought I couldn’t do anything. Turns out I just hadn’t found like the right sport,” Mah said.

Mah was proud of her newly developed leg muscles, but her relatives in Malaysia said otherwise.

“The remarks I got was that it was ugly. I’d get scars and bruises from skating, and it was like ‘well you’re never going to get a boyfriend if you look like that.’ That’s still the kind of attitudes towards women.”

The 34-year-old who challenges the ‘good for a girl’ narrative, now helps guide the Skatebirds to new heights.

“The whole mental barrier with skating is like, are people going to laugh at me if I’m shit. That’s something that The Indy Project helps out with, by providing a safe, supportive space, because it is really intimidating,” Mah said.

Comfort, empowerment, and community are the three recurring words used to describe The Indy Project, and they’re words that will continue to encompass the group as they keep growing. Sustaining awareness and destigmatising sports traditionally practiced by men is at the top of their to do list. But also, having a bit of fun is the foundational layer of it all.

Their annual Snow, Skate, Surf Day is coming up on October 12th, when wahine will touch all areas of Ōtautahi with their boards – and look epic while doing it.

Regular skatebirds attendee shredding the Nigel Mahan pump track in New Brighton. Source: Canta / Elsie Williams.

Wahine boarders doing a ‘skate train’ where they loop around the pump track one after the other. Source: Canta / Elsie Williams.

GET READY TO

Thursday 3 October 11:30am

In an earthquake, it could help save your life. You need to:

BEFORE the drill

Take part in the drill. Talk to your team about doing the drill.

• Do the drill as a team, office space or at a later time/ date.

• Learn about what DROP, COVER & HOLD means. Use the Emergency Flip Chart in your office and go to the Earthquake tab.

• Do you know where your evacuation board is?

DURING the drill

ShakeOut is a self-run national earthquake drill. Start whatever the way works for your team

To indicate start/end of the drill:

• use a bell/whistle

• call out “Earthquake drill” DROP, COVER & HOLD for 30–60 seconds.

When doing the drill

• Take note of what might be happening around you.

• What you might neeed to do to prepare for it.

AFTER the drill

Talk about what you learned with your team

Share your ShakeOut photos & stories.

Although UC is not in a tsunami evacuation zone. If you do live near the coastline, it’s a good idea to check that you and family know what to do.

We’ll be handing out ShakeOut stickers on ShakeOut day!

Sorry to have missed it? Email us on bcpsharedservices@canterbury.ac.nz to get your sticker for taking part in ShakeOut 2024!

Club Corner Club Corner

NDsoc

Tell us a bit about your club?

The Neurodivergent Society (NDsoc) is a club created by and for neurodiverse students at UC. We have two main goals: to provide a safe space for members to connect with other neurodiverse students, and to advocate for and raise awareness about neurodiversity within the University.

Our execs do a lot of behind-the-scenes work within the University of Canterbury to educate UC staff on how to support and cater to the needs of neurodiverse students. We run workshops and presentations for departments on various topics as well as advocating for low-sensory spaces and specific discipline needs. We also keep in touch with UC Student Accessibility Services and UC Wellbeing and provide advice on how best to support fellow neurodiverse students in their specific areas.

Promote your club to a newbie, how would you sell it?

Our club is a place to connect with other neurodiverse students, build community and have peer support. If you relate to being neurodiverse, you are more than welcome to join! You don’t need to be officially diagnosed either, as we acknowledge there are many barriers and reasons why people don’t get a diagnosis. Neurodiversity includes neurodivergent people who may be diagnosed with ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Tourette’s, OCD, or BPD, among others.

What are some events and activities you have planned for the rest of the year?

We have fortnightly Friday lunch hangouts, usually held in the Living Room. It’s a time for our members to connect and chill together.

We also have an exciting collab coming up with UC Gaming Guild on October 4th, where we’ll be joining them for their weekly gaming night, with a low sensory gaming space available among other things. Often, we collab with QCanterbury to have chill study rooms available during the lead-up to exams, so keep an eye on our social media for dates & times.

We’ve got some other ideas and collabs in the works, so look out for posters or info on our social media for upcoming events!

How can people get involved?

Come along to our lunch hangouts! You can join our club using the linktree in our Instagram bio at @ ndsoc_uc or email us at ndsoc.uc@gmail.com. Join our Discord (email us for the link!) and Facebook group, where our members can connect with each other, share their interests, and ask advice as well as keep up to date with our club events and happenings. If you’re keen to help out, get in touch with us via email or come along to our AGM later this year.

Flat Famous Flat Famous

Nickname: emmygunn1@ bondibabes.com

Worst Habit: Breaking beds

Favourite Flat Meal: BigMac

Nickname: ruddie mummie

Worst Habit: Acting like a year 2 line monitor

Favourite Flat Meal: My parent’s cows

Nickname: sk8ergurl

Worst Habit: Finding out about events 2 weeks later

Favourite Flat Meal: Emily 21’s parent’s cows

Nickname: Swannabe

Worst Habit: Looking like a runaway bride in town

Favourite Flat Meal: 3-day old mug of Wattie’s Spaghetti “reheated”

Nickname: MD

Worst Habit: Still on her learners

Favourite Flat Meal: Sausage pasta

Nickname: BigMac/kenz in da benz/paul/mac p

Worst Habit: Being 6’1 but telling guys she’s 5’8

Favourite Flat Meal: Leek and potato soup

Nickname: Horse girl

Worst Habit: Leaving her vibrator out

Favourite Flat Meal: Roast

Emily 8

Emily

Lizzie

Mabel

Esther Kenzie

Scarlett

RUN RUN RUN RUN WHO ARE YOU

What is Run72?

Run72 is an annual community event to raise funds and awareness for men’s mental health. During the event, University of Canterbury students and members of the Christchurch community take to the pavement around UC to run for 72 hours, ensuring that there is always at least one person running.

Where do the funds go?

Building on last year’s success, funds raised this year will go towards boosting our support fund to $72,000. Every $150 raised is one hour with professional support services (Counsellors, Psychologists and more).Extra funds will support our 2025 operations and allow us to partner with similar charities across New Zealand to extend our impact.

24.09.24 - 27.09.24

CANTA

Sprinter wins New Zealand’s first paralympic gold medal in Paris

Kiwi Anna Grimaldi has become New Zealand’s first gold medal Paralympian for the Paris 2024 Paralympics, in the 200m sprint.

The win came the day after Grimaldi placed fourth in the women’s long jump, aiming to defend her pre-existing title.

“Everyone thinks there would be a huge amount of disappointment after the long jump, but I think the journey I’ve been on from Rio to Tokyo where I struggled, just happy to be here happy and healthy that really showed up today and yesterday. It has been really freeing and I ran really freely today,” Grimaldi told The New Zealand Herald.

She furthermore broke the Oceania sprint record, finishing in 24.72 seconds. According to reports from NZ Herald, she could have gone on to break the world record but eased up due to her healthy lead.

Former White Fern allocated NZ Cricket’s Women’s Selector

Sarah Tsukigawa has been appointed Women’s Selector for New Zealand Cricket (NZC) following Jason Wells departure from the role in May this year.

Tsukigawa comes to the role, as a former White Ferns and Otago Sparks all-rounder, as well as previously captaining the Otago team. She has featured on the pitch 61 times for the White Ferns from 2006-2011, and on 153 occasions for Otago.

The role involves being responsible for the identification of talent across women’s cricket, succession planning, and maintaining relationships with Major Association coaches and other identifiers, according to a release by NZC.

According to NZC, Head of Women’s High Performance Liz Green “said Tsukigawa demonstrated a good understanding of selection dynamics, alongside her knowledge of the women’s domestic game.”

Australia see biggest test rugby defeat against Argentina

The loss comes as the eight game in a losing run for the Wallabies, beating their previous record defeat to South Africa in 1997 which saw a loss of 61-22. However, the defeat of the Wallabies, as well as of New Zealand on August 10 saw the Argentinian Pumas reach second on the 2024 Rugby Championship table.

According to reports from the BBC, both sides exchanged penalties, before tries gave Australia the upper hand, leading 20-3 before Argentina rallied together the push forward a total of nine tries, seven being in the second half of the match, as well as scoring two penalties altogether.

According to the BBC: “The Argentine onslaught was relentless, and Juan Martin Gonzalez burrowed his way over the line to hand the hosts the lead for the first time in the match.”

According to Sky Sports, the Pumas scored 38 consecutive points at one stage, leaving the Wallabies grappling, all while the All Blacks have also landed their fourth straight loss at the hands of the Springboks.

‘Sri Lankan great’ joins Black Caps coaching team

Rangana Herath has joined the Black Caps’ coaching line up as a spin coach and according to Stuff, is “the most successful left-arm orthodox spinner in test cricket history.”

“It’s a guy that had an enormous impact in playing for Sri Lanka,” Black Caps coach Gary Stead told Stuff.

“We are excited to tap his brains, his knowledge, certainly of how he went about it.”

Stuff has reported that Herath’s contract is for only three tests, and comes ahead of six tests, labelled as an assignment the Black Caps have not taken on in a hefty 40 years.

Futsal Ferns qualify for 2025 World Cup in the Philippines

The New Zealand Futsal Ferns will head to the Philippines in 2025 for the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, following their dominating win in the Oceania final against Fiji (7-1).

The win comes as part of the Oceania Football Confederation Futsal Women’s Nations Cup, in which the Futsal Ferns were competing in for the first time.

As as been reported by LockerRoom, the tournament saw the Ferns go through a round-robin stage with 4/4 victories, conceding just two goals.

Further reported by LockerRoom, the Ferns currently sit at 26 in the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Rankings.

“It’s what we’ve all been waiting for. The women have been wanting something to train and play towards. We’re ecstatic and so happy,” player Dayna Manak told LockerRoom.

Heidi Slade (she/her)

“Hey, Sport Fans! How far is too far?”

Matias Gidden (he/him)

Content warning: Mentions of domestic violence.

It’s pretty easy to get over-invested in things. As humans, we’re designed to be passionate and for many, supporting a sports team is a way to channel that passion.

But, as great as it is to support your favourite team, how far is too far?

Fans clashing with other fans is a recurring issue in sport, seeing something that has the power to bring people together, tear them apart or pit one against another.

Fan violence and abuse is a phenomena that has been happening for decades, but how can a game cause people to get so riled up?

The main cause is social identity. As people, we gain parts of our self from people or things we associate with – and for sports fans, the team you support is a part of that.

For the most part, identifying parts of your self-identity through the team you support is a good thing. Enhanced selfesteem and positive comradery are both benefits that come with supporting a team, but it’s a fine line, and overstepping the line can lead to a whole host of problems.

Things like alcohol, gambling, and toxic masculinity fuel violence in sport, as fans struggle to cope with results not going their way.

A 2018 study conducted by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) showed a 40.7% average increase in domestic violence and 71.8% in non-domestic assaults across New South Wales on State of Origin game days.

Similar studies done in America, the UK, and New Zealand, also showed the correlation between sporting events and spikes in assault and domestic violence, with many experts calling for sport fan culture to be reviewed.

“I think there is such a strong sporting culture around the combination of alcohol and gambling and winning that can potentially be quite toxic in certain situations,” said the CEO of Women’s Community Shelters Australia, Anabelle Daniels, as reported by ABC News.

Advertisements that help to promote the normality of alcohol and gambling in sport, further fuel the unhealthy culture that continues to grow in aspects of sport fandom.

This unhealthy culture has created a hurtful underlying trend of mental health issues amongst die-hard fans, with sports fan depression becoming a talking point in recent years, as studies have investigated the effects that winning or losing has.

A study conducted by Forza Football found 67% of football fans said their favourite team’s results impacted their overall well-being, with just under half of those fans outlining anger and despair as the primary emotions felt after a loss.

Despite these feelings being a natural reaction to losing, when unmanaged, they can lead to further problems, and spread into everyday life.

Sports fan depression mirrors a lot of symptoms of actual depression and can lead to issues with alcohol, gambling, and general low self-esteem.

How can you manage this?

The first thing to do is put things into perspective. It’s just a game, and the world isn’t going to end just because your beloved team lost.

You may get some stick from your friends or co-workers –but that’s part of it. You’d do the same if their team lost – it’s not that deep.

Another way to deal with a tough loss is to do something that helps take your mind off it.

Take a stroll along the beach, head to the gym, or go for a run – any form of exercise is proven to help with stress and improve overall well-being.

It’s impossible to avoid the headlines, memes and reactions after a big game, so detaching from social media for an hour or two also goes a long way.

Facing your emotions is the first step towards managing them, especially when they’re negatively affecting you.

But make sure to not do this journey alone, make time to be with family and friends so that they can uplift you. A common tendency amongst people with depression is to isolate themselves from other people.

At the end of the day, sport really doesn’t matter.

There are so many other things going on in the world, so getting hung up on your team losing, when you have zero control over the outcome – seems like a waste of emotional energy.

It’s healthy to be passionate and support the things you care about, but when those things you care about start negatively affecting your life – it may be time to take a step back.

tonight — age of rebirth we can be anything

i want to be everything i want to be nothing

i want to put on a white dress and walk into the woods barefoot

i want to be resting serene,

i want to be the waves tugging at strangers ankles when they pass too close

i want to be the seafoam salt abode, tumbling in the same way my name rolls ever so gently in your mother tongue

i want to be the satellite capturing me here running round in circles witnessing miracles

i want to reside in the night where i can be anything like a hard drive wiped clean

i am normal

i am clean

rebirth

Cassia Song (she/her)

Canta Commentary

Wellness Trends of TikTok

Amy Riach (she/her)

Overnight Mouth Taping

There is nothing Tik Tok loves more than a wellness trend that can be filmed morning and night for a trendy GRWM, and overnight mouth taping is the accessory to match hair rollers and silk pyjamas.

The wellness tip is meant to reduce mouth breathing, and Tik Tok takers use a piece of tape, or a medical bandage, to keep the mouth shut, so that you only breathe out of your nose while sleeping.

Posters claimed that mouth taping overnight helped them to reduce snoring, breathe through their nose, and even gave them better breath the next morning. But mouth taping is unlikely to really improve your sleep, according to sleep apnea experts, and it can actually make things worse, warns Dr. David Schulman, American professor of medicine, at Emory School of Medicine.

Apart from making your snoring worse, mouth taping can have several harmful effects, which can cause difficulty breathing if you’re congested, result in dry and damaged lips, and lead to restless and fitful sleep if you struggle to breathe through your nose.

Rice

Water for Hair Growth

This is one TikTok trend with some real merit, and using starchy rice water to wash hair was a practice that began in Asia in China and Japan; used to detangle, strengthen, and grow long and healthy hair.

Recently, the hair care tip has made its way to TikTok, and taken firm root. Many a commercial hair care product claims to make your hair Rapanzel long and Hollywood shiny; but the beauty gurus of TikTok are saying that the real secret to hair care might already be boiling in a pot of water on your stove, and many are singing the praises of rice water, used to make hair long and glossy.

Rice water, the starchy liquid created when you soak or cook rice in water, and normally poured away down the sink, includes inositol, a kind of sugar that your body needs for the development and growth of cells. Inositol is also commonly touted as a hair rejuvenator, and is thought to promote hair growth.

Rice water is also thought to contain many of the vitamins and minerals contained in rice, including amino acids, B vitamins, vitamin E, minerals, and antioxidants, which can be beneficial for the scalp as well as the hair.

Most of the support for rice water hair care is anecdotal, and although there is no official research to prove that it has a significant impact on hair health, there are no negative side effects of using rice water in your hair. So unless you’re dealing with a sensitive scalp, or a bad sunburn, feel free to give rice water a try.

Frozen Honey

Appealing to the very sweet tooth – or maybe just to Winnie the Pooh – frozen honey was the viral TikTok star of American summer.

But the trend of freezing honey overnight, letting it turn viscous and gooey, and then squeezing it out into a semi-solid, gelatinous ice pop, is not the healthy summer alternative that it was hailed as, and honey, while certainly ‘all-natural’, is almost pure sugar.

Honey can be a sweet and healthy addition to any diet, and a powerful antioxidant in moderation, but almost nothing is good for you in excess – even too much water will eventually kill you. The frozen trend encourages people to take enormous bites, and eat honey in enormous quantities, which introduces some concern.

Experts such as Lisa Young, an professor of nutrition at New York University’s Steinhardt School, warned that those eating excess amounts of the honey should think twice, as large quantities can cause bowel issues, stomach cramping, bloating, and other adverse abdominal effects.

Carnivore Diet

This is a dreadful idea. Really, truly terrible. Unless you are secretly a velociraptor disguised as a poor student – the carnivore diet is not for you!

We’ve seen many diets trending on TikTok this year, some of them quasi-reasonable, some of them absurd, and some of them not entirely fit for human consumption. But the carnivore diet shocked more than most. The diet mainly consists of beef, butter, bacon, and eggs; and aims to minimise or remove fruits and vegetables completely. Harold the Giraffe would not approve!

Videos on TikTok show convinced dieters eating 12 scrambled eggs in a single day, using beef fat as seasoning, creating melted butter ‘candy’, or snacking on a stick of butter as if it were a carrot. TikTok followers of the diet have been met with nothing short of outraged scepticism, but claim that it has improved their skin health, repaired their gut, and helped them to get fit and stay in shape.

But most doctors, and in fact most people, were not in favour of the diet. Although it is possible that eating a lot of refined starch and sugar may have a positive short term impact, by increasing simple sugars, calories, and therefore energy levels, the diet is going to be very unhealthy in the long run, and increases cholesterol, blood pressure, and the risk of heart attacks.

Healthy Harold was right, you definitely need your 5 a day. Don’t skip the veggies!

Dipper One

LUCKY

Each issue we set up two birds who are looking for love on a blind-date and then tell them to write about it.

Here are the unedited results of Canta’s chosen love birds for this issue.

If you want some free Rollickin’ and the potential to meet the love of your life, apply at canta.co.nz/lucky-dip

Signing up for Lucky Dip wasn’t on my Bingo card for 2024, but it turns out the power of peer pressure can take the choice away from you sometimes. I agreed to get on board, with my friends promising that CANTA would set me up with someone cool (and even if they didn’t, free ice cream!).

All week, my friends kept asking me, “Are you nervous?”, to which I obviously said no because I am super cool, calm, and collected. After a frantically busy Saturday, I realised while I was getting ready for the date that I was, in fact, quite nervous. Wanting to start off on the right foot, I showed up at Rollickin 10 minutes early. It turns out this was a terrible idea, as I spent the entire time nervously eyeballing everyone who walked up the stairs to see if it was my date.

Luckily, I didn’t have to wait too long until the very helpful staff member gave me a not-so-hushed “This is her!” whisper. After a hug and the compulsory rounds of introductions and niceties, we got into chatting. Things started off great, and the vibes were high. She was interesting, beautiful, and talented. Down to get our ice cream we went, with her questioning my choice of salted caramel (I thought it was a safe flavour option, but it turns out I was wrong). We plotted how to make the most of the CANTA tab, with the takeaway deals looking like a rather attractive option.

From there, it was back upstairs. We quickly moved through the topics, eventually getting onto our shared love of sports and her very impressive track career. For some reason, I decided that my one half-marathon’s worth of casual experience in running was enough to confidently suggest going for a run together sometime. Some serious training is likely in order if we are going to follow up on that one. Swiftly moving on from that, we talked about uni, families, and whatever else came up as the conversation flowed on.

After a great hour with a surprising lack of awkward silence, unfortunately, she had to head off. We left the CANTA tab unscathed on our exit, though I’d be more than happy to buy her some ice cream another time. Overall, I am very grateful for the experience (thanks, CANTA!) and the smile it left on my face for the rest of the night.

LUCKY DIP

Dipper Two

Lucky (or not?) for Lucky Dip, I’ve got a complex about using dating apps, so applying was my only shot at a meet-cute that fit the bill for me in the modern dating world. I strolled into Rollickin’, got myself a decaf treat (5.30pm is marginal for a full caff Americano), and was led by the giggling staff to my date.

This was one of the most competent men I’ve ever met. This guy is currently attaining a TRIPLE degree- one of which in my major, psychology- has several sidehustles… Oh, and is training for a half marathon in his abundance of free time? His competencies also extend to dating! We had a bunch in common and spent about an hour & a half chatting. I’m not sure if it felt like an endurance endeavour for him, but his stamina held up for our little yapathon.

As for my dating abilities? I may have bordered on interrogation sometimes (he did mention he enjoyed studying forensic psychology), but who wouldn’t be curious? I needed to know how someone could be so cool, calm, and collected, while juggling a LIGHT ~80hour week, and had literally moved house the same day before our date. He immediately made me feel at ease despite not being sure if he appreciated my fashionable lateness (the number 1 was delayed, ok??).

As we got to know each other, I found out he’s a pretty worldly dude- he’d been to Japan, is learning French,

planning a trip to the US and Canada... I lived in the US during my undergrad, so we only semi-hatefully bonded over the shared understanding that moving there was not a great idea. Green flag, NO green cards. He knew a bit about my quaint roots in ‘the Naki’, though I enlightened him with our regional motto of ‘surf, ski, smoke p’ which he seemed delighted by.

To continue my unhinged streak, I may also have put it out there quite aggressively that I’m a frugal gal- this guy works the hospo grind, surely he’ll be on board? I inevitably ordered Smoorshouse Ave, but not before hypothesizing whether we could stretch the CANTA budget to grab Cinniebuns to go.

He seemed to find my degeneracy amusing, but I knew this could be a fatal error. Of course, this sweetheart chose ‘salty’ caramel for his flavour of choice.

While we clicked in many ways, as delightful as it was to meet him, Rollickin’ was our love story’s start AND finish line.

Towards the end of this date, I found myself genuinely questioning how he was single. I’m rooting for him to be the next Bachelor; @Canta can we get a segment?

See you on the Sumner Esplanade? : )

)LQGWKHIROORZLQJZRUGVLQWKHSX]]OH :RUGVDUHKLGGHQ

MEAN GIRLS TITANIC

/29($&78$//< 1277,1*+,// 35(77<:20$1 7+(127(%22. 0($1*,5/6 &/8(/(66 0$00$0,$ 7:,/,*+7

I have a feeling this month is going to be extra special for you. I know it has been tough, and the start of term has been kicking your ass – but I really think things are looking up for you. Take this extra good luck and go buy a raffle ticket or something.

There is my little Sagittarius, dressed to impress – in the same clothes you have been wearing all week… Maybe a sign that you should change out of the sweatpants and hoodie combination and throw them straight into the wash, or maybe even the bin at this point.

Hey bestie, you’re doing so much better this time around. I can hardly tell you are running on three hours of sleep, and you are actually up-to-date in class. How exciting, let’s keep up the good work, shall we?

Go gal, you are doing so well. Somehow you have managed to girl boss your way through this term. We are all so proud of you and urge you to keep going –you are so close!

Stop taking things so seriously! It really isn’t that deep! I promise we are all probably going to get cancelled at least once in our lives. It’ll be fine.

It is coming to the end of term and you still have no idea what you’re doing next year or if you even want to be doing this degree. I am not saying that you should be panicking but… you should be quietly exploring options in a calm fashion.

How does it feel when your mates don’t reach out to you? Oh yeah, it sucks – doesn’t it? Maybe flick them a text and check in on them. Communication goes two ways, bestie.

Check your phone!!!! No, you do not ALWAYS have to be on do not disturb. Just pick up the phone!!!!!!!!!! Please.

There is no way you are STILL behind on all your lectures, while barely doing anything. Let’s please try to catch up and stay up! If you need some help, maybe try turning up to your tutorials and see what happens!

Okay look, I am sick of your whining. It isn’t up to me whether you have a bad day or not – be your own hype man. We do still love you though.

This issue is bringing good vibes and energy to you and your mates (unless they are a Gemini or Cancer – then, no). Treat yourself extra nicely this week, get that sweet treat and buy that piece of clothing – do whatever you want, you truly deserve it.

Well done on getting this far. Last week sucked and this week could potentially be worse. But if anyone can handle it, it is you. Take a few deep breaths, buy yourself a tea, and take it all on – one thing at a time. You got it!

Meet The Team!

editor@canta.co.nz Print Editor print@canta.co.nz

news@canta.co.nz

Hariklia Nicola

Heidi Slade Madilin Macpherson Managing Editor

Designer design@canta.co.nz

Jordan Smith News Editor

Nikki Clarke Digital Editor digital@canta.co.nz

Amy Riach Feature Writer

Elsie Williams Feature Writer

Olivia Welsh Feature Writer

Tessa Birch Video Editor

Ella Paterson Audio Editor

Sophie Kensington Video & Digital Assistant

Alexandra Brown Writing Intern

Matias Gidden Writing Intern

Timmy Heritage Writing Intern

Honour Mitchell Social Media Intern

Mia Böhm Photography Intern

Rebecca Staal Design Intern