CANTA ISSUE 5, 2024

CANTA CANTA

CANTALENDAR

UCSA AGM @ Undercroft 101, 12pm

8th May

Visualise Your Thesis info session @ Ernest Rutherford 141, 12.30pm – 1.30pm

Careers Expo Day 1 @ Wolfbrook Arena, 9am – 7pm

Careers Expo Day 2 @ Wolfbrook Arena, 9am – 3pm

Bob Dylan Night @ Two Thumb, 7pm

Mother’s Day

13th May 15th May 17th May

Canterbury Trio @ The Great Hall, 1.10pm –1.50pm

Dig The Gig Heat 2 @ A Rolling Stone, 7pm Pink Shirt Day

18th May

Drag Bingo Fundraiser @ Hornby Club, 6pm –9pm

19th May

Black Ferns v. Canada @ Apollo Projects Stadium, 4.35pm

20th May

Next Canta mag drop!

Editorial Editorial

Call Me Maybe

Welcome back to another issue of Canta for the year – our fifth one! I can’t believe we are almost halfway through the year. We hope you’ve been loving the content as much as we’ve loved making it for you.

With our Nostalgia Issue, we are throwing it back to when we were younger. Oh, what a time that was. I’m sure we all wish we were back in primary school where times were simpler. I sure wish I was six again, running around the playground with my light-up sneakers, my hair in two plaits, and waiting to go home so I could head off to dance or swimming.

Unfortunately, now we are big, scary adults with commitments, jobs, and assessments. A lot of us are knee-deep in 21st season or just starting to find ourselves in undergrad or postgrad.

As a kid, I always wanted to be older than I actually was – especially because a lot of my cousins were older than me. When I made it to high school, I thought I’d finally caught up to them, with their chat of NCEA and parties – but they all moved on to university before I had the chance to relate.

Looking back at it now, I wish I’d stayed in the moment as a kid and didn’t force myself to grow up so fast. Now, it seems like the younger generation is growing up ten times faster than what we did. Whether that’s due to social media influence or the fast growth of technology will be a question asked for generations.

Sometimes, a blast from the past can provide comfort. Reminiscing on nostalgic moments isn’t a bad thing! It’s good to think about the good ol’ days. I know I love looking through my old photo albums and digital cameras, constantly finding hidden gems I’d completely forgotten about.

You’re probably thinking: how on earth am I supposed to reminisce when I barely have the time to go to lectures? Don’t worry – Canta has got you completely covered. With topics ranging from What Now to New Brighton, we’re taking a look back at everything from our childhoods.

Once you finish reading this Canta – obviously coverto-cover, as you’re our biggest fan – head over to our website and take a look at our other work. And we always have new content on our Instagram and TikTok pages – our digital team does an incredible job to keep you all entertained online.

Now, lastly, if you ever want to give us feedback or give us a cheeky compliment, feel free to email me at editor@canta.co.nz. Please don’t be shy! This publication is yours as much as it is ours.

Look after yourselves,

Your 2024 Managing Editor,

Hariklia Nicola

President's Piece

Hey y’all, thanks for stopping by. This week’s issue is Nostalgia. We have a very diverse range of ages at uni, and for that reason, nostalgia is so hard to talk about. I get nostalgic thinking about my first year at uni. That’s because I’m in my 4th year of uni and my bones are beginning to creak.

So instead of talking about my own nostalgic experiences and boring you all to death, I would like to share a story. A story about the naming of a room, and a bid for president. Our story starts with Bentley’s bar, upstairs in Haere-roa (UCSA building). That very bar is named after no other than… A CAT!! But not just any cat, oh no, that would be far too boring of a story. The bar is named after the very same cat that ran for UCSA President many years ago. I, just like you, also have no idea how a cat was able to run for president, but alas, the story does not end there. Bentley was so damn popular. People loved this cat. He had portraits drawn and pieces written about him. And all that popularity led him to WIN THE ELECTION!! Wait, how on earth did a cat (very cute btw) get elected into the same position as me (bit mid)?? Well here’s the story, as found to the left of the entrance to Bentleys Bar, of Bentleys life of fame and fortune.

Much like a student finding their way in the world, Bentley began as a stray and moved up in the ranksfirst as a gossip columnist in Canta, and eventually even coming runner-up in the race for student president (more than once). When it seemed that tragedy had struck and Bentley was found dead, there was an outpouring of grief on campus and even a funeral. The funeral was well-attended and his life celebrated only to be interrupted by Bentley himself trotting through the ceremony - the dead cat was an imposter!

So what are you going to be nostalgic about when you leave uni? Perhaps it will be the bittersweet charm of those pesky 8 am lectures, where sleepyeyed camaraderie and shared yawns painted the backdrop of your academic journey. Or maybe it’s the innocent smiles captured in your student ID photo from your first year, a frozen moment in time that reflects the anticipation and eagerness of embarking on this educational adventure. And what about those unforgettable moments in class, when a certain lecturer’s unique style (mandatory attendance coupled with verbatim slide readings) became the driving factor of starting a study group with strangers? While these experiences may seem mundane or even frustrating now, they contribute to the rich tapestry of university life that you’ll look back on with a mix of amusement and fondness. Take all the opportunities thrown at you. Do it for the lore. In the grand scheme of things, it’s not just about the specifics of each memory, but the collective mosaic they create, the lore of university life that binds us students together in shared experiences and anecdotes. So, embrace it all.

The early mornings, the quirky professors, the endless assignments, because each of these moments adds depth and character to your personal narrative.

So, embrace the memories, and cherish the quirks of university life. Whether it’s the friendships forged over late-night study sessions or the thrill of discovering a hidden study spot, let these moments become the fabric of your nostalgia tapestry. As you journey beyond these campus walls, carry with you the spirit of Bentley, a reminder that even the most unexpected adventures can lead to legendary tales. So here’s to embracing the past, living in the present, and eagerly anticipating the adventures that lie ahead. Keep the nostalgia alive, and remember, every memory is a chapter in your unique story.

That’s all from me this week! Here’s a photo of my version of Bentley. His name is Kevin. He’s a real one. We love Kevin.

As always, stay fresh, Luc (and Kevin) xx

Tumuaki Piece

*Content warning: mentions of racism and blackface

Mauri ora e te whānau,

Ah the good ol’ days.

Nostalgia is a funny thing, being a phenomenon that is on one hand distinctly unique to an individual’s past experiences, and on the other, a point of communal connection for those with shared contextual history.

As an older(ish) student, there are things that I recall which may be outside of the memory of some of our younger readers. Shout out to those who remember the old Foundry (R.I.P.), the UC crane (R.I.P.), physical V Plates (R.I.P.), and please let us not forget ENSOC’s 50 Cent parody music video & most politically incorrect Undie 500 award. Google at your own discretion.

For many, that last one might not invoke the warm feelings of nostalgia in the way that we know, but I thought I might make space (albeit ironically) for those that believe times were better when they could be an egg and not face accountability. To be clear, they weren’t, I’m just trying to remain inclusive.

It is easy to find oneself reflecting on times long gone, whether it be the simplicity of playground politics, rambunctious youthful adventures, or coming home to your favourite childhood meal. These memories are filled with joy and happiness but also sadness and longing, which is very understandable. As we grow older, things seem to get harder, scarier, and more complicated.

However, I believe that in some instances, the complications of the contemporary day are selfimposed. I’m reminded of the Ms. Lauryn Hill lyrics “It could all be so simple, but you’d rather make it hard”. In times of overwhelm, refer to the acronym K.I.S.S. which means “Keep it simple, stupid”.

Though it may make your markers roll their eyes, an introduction can be as simple as “In this assignment I will...”. Making friends in a new environment may seem scary, but it starts with introducing yourself. It can be hard to alleviate yourself from boredom, but there’s not much stopping you from going to your mate’s house, knocking on the door, and asking them if they want to go for a mish to the park. They might appreciate a message first though.

I think that it’s incredibly important to hold onto the sense of childish wonder that we often feel during those experiences of nostalgia. You never know when a new dawn might bring the start of another one of the good ol’ days.

For Te Akatoki, nostalgia is remembering a time before

24/7 whare access was taken away from us, when we had a collection of mattresses and could host Maraestyle noho & wānanga. The days where the whare was constantly filled with waiata, kōrero, laughter, frantic typing, and the sounds of cooking in the kitchen. Those things are still present, only but they are quieter than we would like them to be. We hope that days like those aren’t far away, and we invite all of our tauira Māori (and anyone else who’s down with the kaupapa), to 129 Ilam Road to make those good ol’ days happen once more.

I was able to relive nostalgia right before sitting down to finish this article as I stood at the sink of my wharekai, Te Āwhina, and scrubbed the plates of my whānau. I found myself thankful for the little things and the opportunities I’ve had to live by the values of my tūpuna. For me, those are the things that fill my cup, those are the good ol’ days, and they are there for me whenever I choose to live in a way that gives to others. I’ve definitely had other sorts of good ol’ days, but I think I alluded to them enough in my last article.

Chur nui,

Kiwa Kahukura Denton

Tumuaki o Te Akatoki

Canta News.

A&P Show postponed due to financial challenges

Following their 160th anniversary last year, the New Zealand Agricultural Show announced the cancellation of the 2024 event after “a recent financial loss in 2023”.

This popular event, held annually at Canterbury Agricultural Park, has been postponed as they are unable to sustain the risk of another financial loss.

The organisers reassured the continuation of livestock judging and competitions without the public crowds, but have concluded that it would be “unwise” to have the full-scale show scheduled for November 13 to 15.

In a statement by the Canterbury Agricultural & Pastoral Association board, chair Stewart Mitchell said the show’s business model was under review, as he believed it was unsustainable to incur costs for 12 months but generate revenue for only three days.

Citing “several challenging years”, the organisers are planning the return of a new and exciting show in 2025, giving them an opportunity “to completely rethink [their] strategic direction.”

In his own statement, Mayor Phil Mauger expressed his disappointment, calling it “the highlight” of Ōtautahi Christchurch’s event calendar.

“The November event is popular with both the rural and local community and brings people from around the country to our city.”

University of Otago student Gemma Hall echoed this sentiment. She told Canta, “It was really good because it gave ‘townies’ a chance to see the livestock and tractors which they wouldn’t normally see on a day to day basis.”

Hall travelled up for the show annually, and was disappointed by the cancellation of an event that was a “family tradition”.

Jess Upston, an Agriculture student at Lincoln University, was “super gutted” about the cancellation as this was the first year she could attend due to a lack of exam clashes.

“It would have been great to see what we learn at university being demonstrated in person. We learn all about different breeds of stock, and these get shown at the show, and it would have been good to see what we learn first-hand.”

Upston’s friend, who asked not be named, received a life membership for the Christchurch show for her 21st, but now cannot use it for her first year of ownership.

Mauger acknowledged that the Association has faced a number of challenges over the last few years, with COVID-19 and rising costs making a large dent in their finances.

“We are about to finalise a commercial agreement with the Association, and hope to release the details about this within the next few days,” Mauger said in his statement.

Nine new goals to be achieved by 2030 - National’s new development

Heidi Slade (she/her)

At the beginning of the month, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced his party’s nine new goals for the next six years, laying down new targets across healthcare, welfare, crime, education, and climate change.

The nine announced goals include, in no particular order:

• 95% of patients to be admitted, discharged, or transferred from emergency departments within six hours.

• 95% of people to wait less than four months for elective treatments.

• A 15% reduction in young people with serious and persistent offending behaviors.

• 20,000 fewer victims of assault, robbery, or sexual assault.

• 50,000 fewer people on the Jobseeker Support Benefit.

• 80% of year 8 students at, or above, expected curriculum levels in reading, writing and mathematics.

• A 75% reduction in the number of households in emergency housing.

• 80% of school students present for more than 90% of the school term.

• Being on track to meet New Zealand’s 2050 net zero climate change targets, with total net emissions of no more than 290 megatonnes from 2022 to 2025 and 305 megatonnes from 2026 to 2030.

Ilam electorate MP Hamish Campbell told Canta the goals were part of a larger programme, with various working parts.

“There’s nine targets, and of course the goal is to reach them by 2030 and we’re going to be reporting against them regularly. Each of the goals are not going to be fixed by one piece of legislation, it’s going to be a whole programme that we’re working towards to get these pieces together.”

“Each will have different levers that we’re going to pull,” Campbell said.

When asked by Canta about some of the practical ways the government planned on achieving its nine identified goals, Campbell identified plans to easing regulations on building materials to help reduce the number of households in emergency housing.

“Recently it costs 50% more to build a stand-alone house in New Zealand than it does in Australia. We want to make sure that we’re going to ease the regulations on building materials, so if they’ve been approved – say in somewhere like Australia, who have stringent building criteria themselves – then if it meets their criteria, then it can have a fast track in New Zealand,” he said.

Furthermore, Campbell said: “We want to restore the housing market to make sure we have more affordable homes, and that of course will reduce the number of people that need emergency housing.”

Campbell also said planned tax relief would “deal with” creeping tax brackets resulting from inflation.

“We haven’t been protecting low- and middle-income earners from inflation, so if you’re on the minimum wage and you work 40 hours, and even then, if you pick up a couple of shifts, it can put you into one of the top tax brackets,” he said.

“What we want to do is make sure that we actually readjust the tax brackets to deal with that creep that has happened over time. A lot of students will fit into that category.”

Elsie Williams (she/her)

Council report

shows greenhouse gas emissions

are decreasing – but it’s not enough

Rosie Leishman (she/her)

The latest Christchurch City Council report shows promising results for greenhouse gas emissions, but there is still work to be done.

Gross emissions have decreased by 12% since 2019. However, this is not enough to meet Council’s target of net-zero greenhouse emissions, by 2045.

Riccarton Ward Councillor Tyla Harrison-Hunt told Canta he “wasn’t surprised.”

“The numbers speak for themselves… if we’re going at the same rate we’re going now, I don’t think we’d be hitting our emissions targets,” said Harrison-Hunt.

The decrease is largely due to reductions in electricity, transport, and stationary energy emissions.

Transport represented 54% of total emissions, with petrol and diesel use representing 38%. Stationary Energy produced 21%. Agriculture represented 16%, with 60% of that relating to cattle.

Despite decarbonisation, the report noted the decrease in transport emissions was largely due to air travel reductions following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since 2017, Ōtautahi Christchurch’s total emissions have decreased by 1.1%. By 2030, there will be a 50% reduction in emissions with 25% methane reduction.

Lisa Early, the Council’s Team Leader Climate Resilience, said it’s important “to take stock of progress, and understand the sources of our emissions, so we can take the best steps to get to our targets.”

Despite the data tracking progress toward the net-zero emissions goal, it also shows that Christchurch isn’t there yet.

“If we’re going the way we are now, we won’t reach that goal,” said Harrison-Hunt. “Although we’re doing good things, I don’t think we’re

doing enough… the report reflects that.”

This data informs the Council’s decision-making to help those in power make progress on climate change adaptation plans.

However, the report makes no recommendations for action. “The data is there. It’s just screaming,” said Harrison-Hunt, who agrees there is a need for action-based protocol.

The Councillor explained that experts do years of research providing this data but the biggest hurdle is politicians being brave enough to fight climate change deniers.

“The way we’re going to change is to ensure we’re held accountable,” as well as practical measures to provide infrastructure, like reliable public transport systems to navigate Christchurch without emitting carbon, said Harrison-Hunt.

The report also lacks data on cruise ship emissions in the Ōhinehou Lyttleton harbour, which would be interesting to analyse as these ships tend to emit more than any other mode of transportation.

“There needs to be a proper action plan, where we work with an independent assessor who’s an expert in their field,” Harrison-Hunt said.

He added that students can help by “using clubs and the power of student voice” to advocate for better measures.

“This is the most important generation of any that’s come before… the cool thing about Gen Z is they’re gonna be the saviours.”

Have UC vaping habits changed, one month on from new regulations?

Heidi Slade (she/her)

As of March 21, a set of new regulations have added enforcements to the manufacturing and retailing of vaping devices. Canta found out if UC’s vaping habits have been affected by the introduction of these new rules.

According to the Ministry of Health, the regulations include prohibition in retailers, manufacturers, and importers of products with images of cartoons or toys, products without permitted flavour descriptions, and products that do not meet Product Safety Requirements – nicotine limits, removable batteries, and child safety mechanisms.

An online survey by Canta found that 66.7% of respondents had experienced no change in the devices they are purchasing, and 49.7% were aware of the regulations.

“I knew they were going to change, [I] read all the laws beforehand because I’m a daily vaper,” said one respondent.

“[I] had heard of new laws but didn’t know what they were,” “read about it in The Press. Switched from disposables to pod refills for higher nic,” said others.

While 64.6% noticed no changes in retailers in the last month, some changes that were noticed included sales of “20 nic, no 50 nic,” and an increase in ID checks. Another said, “They no longer have the higher nicotine pods or devices behind the counter.”

Some said the changes had limited purchasing: “I had to spend extra to buy the battery for a reusable vape. I feel that this has made it easier

for me to commit to vaping.”

“I don’t agree with it, I don’t like our current government but I think every individual should have the right to choose if they want to vape.”

“I am very close to quitting vaping. I use the cheaper items as I can’t afford the big ones. If they take away my one I may need to get disposable vapes and they don’t go as low in nic as I am on now,” someone said.

Another response included, “not enough has been done, these regulations haven’t changed a thing.”

Labour List MP and former Minister of Health Ayesha Verrall said the regulations were driven at changing flavours and disposable vape specifications.

Verrall said “many” of the changes to disposable vapes “were directed at other elements that existing vapers may not notice”, and is an area where the current government has “delayed the implementation”.

“The main thing that we think remains to be done is regulation of stores, and that’s an area so far where the government hasn’t chosen to touch that, so that’s the overall number of stores.”

Verrall said her current job is to “hold the government to account”.

“As I’ve said, I think the lack of any effort to reduce the number of stores is a major omission on the part of the government.”

New Brighton: the seaside suburb is recognised as a significant part of Ōtautahi Christchurch’s foundation, and an area of living and entertainment for locals and tourists alike. Over the years, New Brighton has changed significantly, affecting how the public interacts with it.

In the 1980s and 1990s, New Brighton was a bustling attraction. Chris Ruske, owner and operator of Canterbury Brewers Collective and an Ōtautahi local, recalls a time when the shopping outlet strip in particular was packed “shoulder to shoulder” with people. It was with the opening of commercial spaces and malls, and the development of the inner city, that traction slowed down.

“While some things haven’t changed, like the need to wear a jacket to beat the easterly, it would be ridiculous not to acknowledge the decline of the mall as many knew it,” said Alex Hewison, Coastal Ward Community Board member and advocate.

“This started decades ago with the lifting of the Saturday trading ban, but has been significantly disrupted recently by vacant buildings and land owners that are, in simple terms, holding New Brighton hostage. It’s time for them to go,” he added.

Despite the aforementioned Saturday trading ban being lifted, and the pier and New Brighton Library / Te Kete Wānanga o Karoro closing temporarily as a consequence of the 2011 earthquake, New Brighton managed to keep up for a time.

This included beach events, weekly seaside markets, and the consistent promotion of small businesses. Each shop on the strip had something different to offer: cheap fish and chips, pubs, movie rentals, thrifting outlets, and easy-going areas for kids and their whānau to relax and enjoy the weather.

But it’s undeniable that things have taken a turn in recent years.

“What stood out to me was the quietness, how [few] people there were, and how dry the place seemed to be… I asked

A New

some people about it and they said New Brighton was already desolate even before the earthquake,” commented Sarah Candra, who has moved to Aotearoa from the United States.

Nostalgia is hard to hold onto with the closing of so many stores, and the numerous vacant lots that remind locals of what once used to occupy them.

One example is United Video. After moving across the road to a smaller space in order to remain open, Ōtautahi’s last United Video officially shut its doors in 2021. This left a huge gap, especially for physical media and movie lovers. At its peak, there were over 100 United Videos in Aotearoa. Now, there are two.

I asked locals about the hurdles that they believe have to be overcome to see New Brighton once again become a bustling attraction, and it all relates back to care and to focus on the people.

Many of the houses in South New Brighton do not have the proper infrastructure to survive another massive earthquake if one were to occur, as noted by Helen, a local of twenty years who recently moved away from the area.

She feels that some of the neighbourhoods have been written off, especially with a lot of focus and funds going into new developments. In her view, if we wish to see a change, it has to come from the people. Spaces for, and within, the community are important to those who love seeing New Brighton thrive.

This is evident in Kraken Coffee, a small beverage and food business which operates in Common Ground, a Community Greenspace in South New Brighton fronted by Sustain.

An objective of Kraken Coffee is to tie in the community by selling hand-made Hope River Pies, and providing a favourable coffee discount to patrons who bring their own sustainable cup.

“We’re taking this into our own hands, and trying to be self-sufficient. It’s harder to rely on government agencies nowadays… people tend to be more generous with small businesses,” said Jimmy, who is currently in charge of

New

managing Kraken Coffee and is uncle to Kraken owner Tyler Bartlett.

“We’re real down to earth, and love a yarn.”

But the future may not be so grim.

There is much-needed change underway in the form of the New Brighton Centre Master Plan, which aims to re-establish the centre as the heart of the community. Its goal is for people to “live, work, and play” in New Brighton, and features an extensive list of projects and actions that are commenced, current, ongoing, and completed.

One of the completed actions is the upgrade of the Marine Parade, including wider footpaths, street lighting, and connection to the hot pools which opened in 2020.

“We need [to] ensure we are utilising these ideas, and proactively drawing people in with activities and amenities, like the hot pools… making New Brighton ‘a place to be’ rather than somewhere everyone does their shopping,” said Hewison.

The New Brighton Centre Master Plan would see the desolate mall space reduced by half, and then reoriented North/South to provide shelter from the easterly.

It’s refreshing to see one thing that’s remained the same: the popularity of the New Brighton beach and pier. Always a staple, the pier provides a beautiful view of the ocean where families and friends can enjoy a relaxed walk, take a seat on a bench, or fish at the pier’s edge. There is something for everyone.

The New Brighton Beachside Playground has been modified in recent years to include more variety, with spouting fountains, and traditional carvings on the large waka.

While in the midst of these developments, small businesses and locals have been doing their best to bring an immediate sense of community and support through food trucks, fruit and vege pop-up shops, and creating areas to come together.

It has not been easy for New Brighton, both as a place to conduct business and as a place to live. The earthquake changed the way people interacted, and even viewed, the

suburb. While there is much improvement to be made, it seems we might be getting started.

“I’m proud that we are a community full of great ideas, like the Community Gardens and the New Brighton Project. Council have dropped the mark, waiting more than nine years, and it’s time we get the ball rolling again,” Hewison said.

Banding together has done wonders for New Brighton. This April, it was announced that the Thomson Park Fort, a playground that has been popular with children for decades, would be taken down due to safety issues. However, the replacement design would differ in structure, and would feature new plastic-style play equipment as opposed to its current wood features.

A Save Our Playground petition was started to demand that the council consult the public to help them design and create a custom playground, as opposed to a pre-made one.

This kind of action, whether or not successful in the end, showcases the sense of community that remains despite setbacks, and how locals will fight for what they love to ensure future generations can enjoy what they have.

From connecting with professionals and locals regarding New Brighton’s hopeful future, it’s clear that people want New Brighton to once again thrive as “the place to be”. It’s held so dearly in the public’s hearts, and with enough advocacy and action on everyone’s behalf, could very well breathe new life to Ōtautahi.

Olivia Welsh (she/her)

What Now, the iconic show that babysat us when our parents wanted to sleep in on a Sunday morning, has quietly undergone major changes that seem to have slipped under the radar.

Without any official announcement, the kids’ show has cut its live broadcast and moved to a digital content platform. A one-hour episode still airs on a Sunday at 8:30am, but the live audience that we all craved to be in no longer exists.

What Now producer Emma Martini told The Spinoff that the show must “pivot”, also commenting that they “want to be where [their] tamariki are, which is very much online, watching content when they want.”

Deanna Young, Head Teleop Coordinator in 2023, was a staff member when the news broke that What Now was entering a new era. The NASDA student called it the “best job ever” due to the fun behind the scenes, the fascinating world of live broadcasting, making cameos on television, and meeting celebs like Emma Memma and Bluey.

But despite the all the fun and the gunge, the end of the live broadcast meant that Teleops no longer existed in this new version of What Now. An email from Whitebait Media directors Jason and Janine Gunn closed this chapter, leaving some staff members feeling a little bitter, Young explained.

“We kind of just got told, ‘hey, you don’t have a job anymore’,” Deanna recalled.

“And we could see everyone who was cc’d into that email, and I think that’s what caused a lot of drama and upset a lot of people… some people had been there for ten years and got cc’d into the same email, and I’d only been there for four months.”

To The Spinoff, Martini offered high praise for the live studio crew, and said they were “specialised at what they do”.

She said it was sad to say goodbye to the “family fun” environment and to the crew – very gently acknowledging the large dismissal of many staff members due to the shift to digital content.

Young understood that times are changing for them, and the desire to adapt in order to continue the show, but she couldn’t help but sense the “eerie kind of feeling” that was in the building during the final episode.

So... What So... What

From an outsider’s point of view, it appeared to be a big celebration of Stella Maris’ four years at What Now, with free burgers and coffee, dance numbers, and the emptying of the renowned prize cupboard.

But in reality, it was the end of a chapter for many in that studio –not just Stella Maris.

The state of media in Aotearoa has an uncertain future. With Newshub closing and The Project’s quick dismissal, alongside various other shows, What Now was forced to pivot in order to keep a Kiwi treasure alive. So let’s take a moment to reminisce on the show that got us out of bed every Sunday morning.

What Now has babysat children for 43 years now, so not only did it raise us, but it also raised our babysitters: the hosts.

Erin Wells, former host, said applying for the role “was kind of a nobrainer”. After an unsuccessful application in 2015, Wells tried out again in 2018 for the “dream job”– which turned out to be everything she had hoped for.

Reflecting on her five-year journey with What Now, Erin Wells expressed nostalgia for the unique experiences that only a host of the show can relate to. This chapter came to an end in June 2023 when she moved to London.

“It feels so weird that for six years of my life, it was just a common occurrence to get gunged. It’s been nearly a year now, and I just haven’t been messy, and some days I just want to look wild.”

Over her five-year tenure, Wells noticed changes in their audience’s media consumption habits. After hitting the road, dealing with lockdowns, and eventually returning to the in-person studio, viewership of the live broadcast reduced as digital habits developed.

“Kids are changing… the way they learn and the way they take things in. So if What Now is not changing with it, then it’s gonna get left behind… as much as I love live What Now, I think they’re absolutely smashing it in this new format as well,” she said.

Wells loved the adrenaline of the live broadcast; the challenge of trying to find her way through it often became her favourite moments. In the finale episode of 2022, “Shakira Shakira” kept replaying in their in-ear monitors, forcing them to uncontrollably laugh and cut to an ad break.

The format changes occurred six months after her departure to London. Wells expressed sadness at the loss of the live broadcast, which she was a big fan of: “So many people who were involved in live broadcasts suddenly can’t be involved in that anymore.”

She acknowledged the challenges faced by those in the industry. “Now so many people there are having to fight for not as many roles. It’s actually heartbreaking.”

Despite the minor challenges, like waking up at 4am on Sundays, dealing with brain blank, and technical malfunctions, Wells reminisces on her time on What Now fondly.

What Now’s final show of 2023. Source: Richie Mills / @whatnownz on Instagram.

What Now? What Now?

“No matter what format it’s in, the core of [What Now] is always the same and always so iconic. It’s gunge, fun, kids… it’s just in a different space at the moment.”

Fellow London resident and former host Charlie Panapa echoed Wells’ sentiments; he shares a love for the live broadcast.

“That’s the thing with the magic of live television and working with kids, is that you never know what you’re going to get.”

Panapa’s journey to becoming a What Now host began when he was “in the right place at the right time”. He crossed paths with a What Now producer who pursued him for the role, eventually securing him as a host.

Entering the role as a “perfectionist” was tough, but his self-critique led to newfound confidence, enhancing his skills. “I realised my worries could make things more interesting. Turning mistakes into TV gold became one of my greatest strengths.”

This was evident in a memorable moment with a young Justin Bieber, where an L&P bottle sprayed everywhere, leading to a funny exchange after JB walked out of the interview.

“But that poor little girl was distraught and was like, ‘why did you do that to Justin!? He’s never going to come to New Zealand again, he hates us now!’,” Panapa laughed.

Panapa occupied television screens every Sunday morning from 2005 to 2011, in an era where linear television was all there was. Due to being the only kids’ TV programmed on Sunday mornings, “everyone was watching it,” Panapa said.

“Even parents and hungover university students were watching it, because it was before digital TV sort of came into play.”

Finishing up his hosting duties in 2011, he felt as though his time at What Now was “coming to the end of truly terrestrial television before digital.”

Hoping that the new version of What Now “finds a new sort of life online”, he elaborated on the iconic status the show has had in Aotearoa television history.

“It would be sad for it to go altogether. So even if it now exists as an online platform, a new generation of New Zealand kids can come to love and appreciate the show and the heart of What Now.”

But amid all the changes, Panapa believes one crucial thread must remain: the strong connection between the presenter and the children.

“The thing that makes What Now is the connection with the audience. If I ever went anywhere in New Zealand, kids would talk to me as if they knew me, because in a way they did. They were spending like two hours of every week with me. And so they did feel that they had that connection.”

What Now’s transformation is more than just a change in format; it’s a reflection of how media is evolving. The show’s new life in the digital age isn’t just about keeping up with the times but also about preserving its essence – the connection it fosters with its young audience. The shift to digital-first may mark the end of an era for What Now, but its spirit lives on in the memories in the hearts of Kiwis young and old.

Panapa, left, during the chaotic Bieber incident. Source: What Now / YouTube.

Elsie Williams (she/her)

Soundtrack to our Memories

Rosie Leishman (she/her)

Music evokes nostalgia and holds a sacred space in our minds. It’s like a comfort, something universal but equally personal and unique to us. We all have those artists that take us back to times when things felt a bit easier.

Whether it was during childhood, high school, or even our first year of university, there are songs, albums, and rusty Spotify playlists that take us back down memory lane when we press play. Sometimes you’re just in the mood for a song that takes you back in time.

In January, Atlas Records published an article arguing that what makes music so nostalgic are the following components: emotional connection, memory recall, cultural and generational identity, and temporal context – meaning the period of time.

This is definitely true for me. My artist is Taylor Swift, and like many members of the 2000s cohort, Ms. Swift’s many albums across her various genres represent distinct eras of my life so far.

But this fond feeling of home differs for each person, artist, and generation, as music genres change through the years.

For Liam Donnelly, Program Director for RDU and two-year Canta Editor, it’s The Killers, Coldplay, and Queen. “I was raised on Queen,” said Donnelly.

But it’s the song “Human” by The Killers that really brings him a sense of nostalgia. “I remember me and my cousin dancing around to that song. I don’t know why I so distinctly remember it but I must’ve really enjoyed that moment… I think of it so fondly.”

Donnelly describes music like “a time stamp on your life”.

“If the song instantly takes me to a stage in life… that is nostalgia,” he said

He visualises it as being like an episode of That’s So Raven. When she has a vision, Raven sees the future – but in the case of nostalgic music, it’s like we go back to the past.

Skipping a generation or two, I asked my mum, Jo, who her special artist was and where that music transports her.

She said “Peter Frampton” – an artist I haven’t even heard of.

Listening to Frampton’s music reminds her of hanging out with her schoolmates in late 1970s Timaru on a Friday night.

“It fills my heart with joy and a whole lot of fun memories,” she said.

“Nostalgic music reminds you that you had many happy times with great people. It takes me back to a special age

when I kept wondering what was coming next in life for me, with so much curiosity for my future.”

Studies have found that when we listen to music, the brain’s visual cortex lights up, causing us to connect the sound to visuals and memory – like “sensory snapshots” to hold onto.

Music is the soundtrack to our best memories, and shapes our lifelong musical preferences.

There are also psychological benefits, from greater social connection and encouraging a sense of optimism to improving our moods and relieving stress.

Samuel Mehr, Senior Lecturer of Psychology at the University of Auckland, said “people have very precise memory for music.”

Mehr is the director of The Music Lab, an international research group focusing on the psychology of music.

In his work with The Music Lab, Mehr found that even when other cognitive abilities are substantially impaired, for example in Alzheimer’s disease, “music perception is often preserved.”

This proves the special relationship between our favourite nostalgic singalongs and the memories attached to them.

Fellow UC student and Swiftie, Emma Holland, 19, also describes Taylor Swift as “by far” her most nostalgic artist.

“Thinking about the music I’d play on my stereo brings back great joy. I had stacks of CDs from artists including One Direction, Selena Gomez, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande, but most prominently Taylor Swift… she was so eyeopening to seven-year-old me.”

But unlike Queen or Peter Frampton, Taylor Swift is still making music. “My love for Taylor’s music never really faded out,” said Holland.

“With her recent releases, I have reconnected with that niche fandom I had when I was seven, and am openly proud to be a Swiftie!”

This new music will soon become nostalgic for kids listening now as they make their own childhood memories. Even as students and young adults, it’s strange to think the music we’re listening to will become nostalgic in years to come.

Whether it’s what we turn on when we’re with our mates at pres, or anthems we belt in our cars, or songs we study to, the music around us at this moment will remind us of this chapter in our lives – taking us back to these good ol’ days.

All Blacks All andBlacks the haka

Maia Aramakutu (Ngāti Pāhauwera, Ngāti Porou, she/her)

Haka and the All Blacks: they go together. Performing either Ka Mate or Kapa o Pango before a test match, their haka is a source of pride for us as New Zealanders and it gives me chills every time I see it performed, whether it’s on screen or in real life. It’s the highlight of any All Blacks game. But what do we really know about haka, and the history behind the haka that’s performed?

Haka is a traditional Māori dance. In Aotearoa New Zealand, it’s common knowledge that the haka was a war dance, performed by iwi. Its purpose is to invoke Tūmatauenga, the god of war, before going into battle.

However, haka is not just a war dance. It is performed to welcome people, performed at celebrations such as graduations and weddings, and in kapa haka to entertain, among other settings.

According to Robert Sullivan, the All Blacks perform haka to psych up the team and intimidate their opponents. The All Blacks website reads: “The haka adds a unique component, derived from the indigenous [Māori] of New Zealand, and which aligns with the wider Polynesian cultures of the Pacific.”

Ka Mate is New Zealand’s most famous haka, and it’s the haka we all think of when we think about the All Blacks.

Ka Mate is the intellectual property of Ngāti Toa. In 2011, Ngāti Toa signed an agreement with the New Zealand Rugby Union, where they agreed to allow the All Blacks to continue performing Ka Mate.

An oral history for Ka Mate has been published on the Ngāti Toa website; other oral histories of Ka Mate may vary.

According to the Ngāti Toa description, Ka Mate was composed by Ngāti Toa rangatira (chief) Te Rauparaha around 1820, when he and a group of Ngāti Toa were fleeing from a group of Ngāti Te Aho “who wanted revenge for a previous incident involving Ngāti Toa”.

Te Rauparaha was assisted by his relative Te Wharerangi, who “instructed [him] to climb into a kumara pit” as the war party approached. They were “guided by the incantations of their tohunga” (an expert practitioner of any skill).

Upon the arrival of Ngāti Te Aho, “Te Rauparaha could feel the power of the incantations.” Under his breath, he said to himself, “Ka mate! Ka mate!” (“will I die!”) and “Ka ora! Ka ora!” (“will I live!”)”

The Ngāti Toa account states that these words “were repeated many times coinciding with the waxing and waning of the tohunga’s power,” until the war party “were convinced… that Te Rauparaha had escaped towards Taranaki”.

Ka Mate was first introduced to the rugby world in 1888 by the first New Zealand representative team, the “Natives”. They used the haka during their 1888-89 tour of Britain, Ireland, Australia, and Aotearoa.

After it was used by the “Natives”, Ka Mate was performed by the All Blacks during a tour in 1905 and 1906. It was originally performed as “Te Rauparaha’s haka” and was not well known in New Zealand; during this time, the All Blacks would only perform the haka in other countries.

It is unknown why they did not perform the haka in Aotearoa, but due to limited test matches – around five per year – and the games not being broadcast live, a limited number of people saw the performance. It was yet not the iconic rugby staple we know today.

John Archer has reported that around the 1970s, things changed. With the introduction of satellite TV, the All Blacks games were being televised in Aotearoa and across the globe. Ka Mate slowly become a beloved part of the All Blacks games, with millions of fans watching the boys perform it.

The first All Blacks performance of the haka in Aotearoa wasn’t until 1986. In 1987, with the input of Hika Reid and Wayne Shelford, the performance of the haka was transformed into what know it as today.

Prior, the quality of the haka had been somewhat poor, the main reason being that the All Blacks’ performances had minimal Māori input. This meant the players lacked the cultural understanding needed to perform the haka with the mana it needs.

Stuff reporter Karanama Ruru wrote that during the All Blacks’ 1985 tour of Argentina, Shelford and Reid “decided enough was enough”. They trained the team on the cultural context and meaning of Ka Mate and how to perform it with mana.

Kapa o Pango, which took a year to create, was composed by Sir Derek Lardelli of Ngāti Porou. In a 2007 video produced by the All Blacks, Lardelli identified Kapa o Pango as a type of haka known as a “haka taparahi”.

“It’s ceremonial, it’s about building your spiritual, physical, and your intellectual capacity prior to doing something very important,” he said.

Kapa o Pango was written for the All Blacks to perform. The name roughly translates to “team in black”, referring directly to the All Blacks.

In a 2009 All Blacks video, then-captain Tana Umaga explained that they had a group of Māori speak to players about what the haka means to them. “We all left there with… a greater insight into the haka and how it really combined and brought as all together.”

Kapa o Pango was first performed in August 2005 before the Tri Nations test match against South Africa in Ōtepoti Dunedin. Although Ka Mate is still extremely popular and regularly performed, the team now perform both haka consistently.

All Grown

Let’s be real. Most of us are digital natives.

Whether you grew up with a Tamagotchi or a Motorola Razr, or were an OG iPad kid – many of UC’s undergraduate cohort are of the first generation who barely remember a world without technology.

Those who have come after us have been born and raised reliant on the online, dependent on screens for entertainment, friendship, and education.

We’ve all heard from an older relative or two, “back in my day we didn’t have technology…” as they proceeded to lecture us on how easy we’ve all got it now. They aren’t wrong – we do have the world at our fingertips, but consequently, “kids these days” deal with a lot.

Exposed to sickening real-world issues and graphic adult content they aren’t mature enough to comprehend – growing up is now much more complex. Kids seem like they’re getting much older, much younger, “losing” their childhood to screens.

Our age group can imagine, and maybe remember, a childhood without screens. But today’s kids see the world completely differently. They will never recognise a world without advanced digital technology.

18-year-old Chloe Johns said, “I feel like I grew up fast, but my 12-year old cousin has [grown up] even faster.”

However, whether they are getting older or staying too young is a matter of perspective. With kids becoming less independent and interpersonally connected, they are instead savvier and more politically conscious.

Dr Megan Gath, of UC’s Child Well-being Research Institute, said, “I wouldn’t say that children and teens are growing up faster, but I do think… childhood and ‘teenhood’ today looks different than past generations.”

Dr. Gath’s research shows more screen time during preschool years leads to poorer development by the time the child is at school. This includes weaker communication, writing, counting, vocab, and attention skills, as well as detrimentally impacting the child’s ability to form positive relationships with others.

We can all admit we’re addicted to our screens, reliant on

them one way or another, and kids are no different.

“Screens are part of the day-to-day life of most children today,” said Gath.

Johns admitted, “When I don’t have my phone, I feel weird. It’s bad, it feels like an addiction,” – which is true for almost anyone these days, Gen Z or not.

A 2023 study in The New Zealand Medical Journal revealed that a majority of youth exceeded the Ministry of Health’s recommendation for a suitable amount of daily screen time, with increasing evidence of children experiencing symptoms of problematic screen use.

The New Zealand Herald found, in a survey of youth aged 15 to 18, that the average age Kiwi kid had their first phone at 12. Research from a TNS New Zealand-Canvas survey found that the 150 kids sampled used tech devices or services for an average of 7.4 hours a day.

Unlike watching TV for a special occasion, children have anytime, any-place access to screens, which easily disrupts social interactions and in-person conversations crucial for language and social development, mental health, and well-being.

“While there can certainly be some benefits of building connections with others online, they are not a replacement for real-world relationships and social interactions,” said Dr. Gath.

It’s more than just screentime supposedly aging youth, but the kind of content. Growing up constantly exposed to adult content makes a childhood shorter lived. Johns spoke of knowing of younger kids who post very sexualised content online: “It’s like they’ve skipped five years.”

“Spaces online are not child friendly… there’s no actual restrictions [and] of course, kids and young teenagers want to access social spaces where older people are,” said Sarah Whitcombe-Dobbs, Director of the Child and Family Psychology programme at UC.

Children aren’t being given the chance to grow up censored from these realities, and “this continued exposure to fear and stress is harmful,” said Whitcombe-Dobbs.

No wonder the average 15-year-old you see seems a decade older.

Grown Up!

“As a kid, I was watching things on TV that our parents wouldn’t have when they were young. You’re learning and seeing things a normal 10-year-old wouldn’t,” said Johns. “I feel like I’ve been traumatised by things I saw on TV as a kid!”

Gath validated this: “Modern issues combined with technology are impacting youth today.” The internet provides more awareness on global issues, “which can be a lot for children and teens to deal with”.

“We are already seeing some of the effects now, with the declining state of youth mental health,” explained Gath.

Kids aren’t in positions of power to solve global problems like climate change, nor are they responsible for their occurrence. They’ve only been around a few years, but they’re living with the ramifications of past generations’ behaviour.

Kids are growing up faster because they are forced to deal with adult problems younger. “We are starting to lose childhood to modernity,” said Dr. Gath.

Having grown up not remembering a world without some sort of tablet-sized screen, Johns acknowledged that despite the benefits of making friends online, “kids are being exposed to beauty standards at such a young age which would have really harmed me if I was that young.”

“I grew up not knowing standards and not caring, but these kids seem so influenced by what is considered pretty or not.”

Additionally, there has been an increase in overprotective parenting, which shows kids aren’t being given as much freedom or independence. This means children are playing outside less and spending more time on devices.

“Harms that they might experience online… [are] more detrimental to their development than those that they might experience in the real world,” said Gath.

Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt told The New Yorker that parents are “overprotecting children in the real world, and under protecting children in the digital world,” which robs them of their childhood innocence.

It’s hard to blame parents. Putting kids in front of the TV or a phone is like a free, 24/7 babysitter. It’s hard to imagine what caregivers did before screens.

But there is hope!

“Humans have adjusted to different environmental stressors throughout history,” said Whitcombe-Dobbs. “Our brains and makeup have evolved to adapt enormously to a wide range of different environments…. we carry on because humans are very good at that.”

Gath agreed: “It’s never too late! If we are aware of the potential impacts of the direction that we are heading, we can change this.”

Limiting screen time and making sure our digital consumption is purposeful will help make sure that children have more space to be independent offline, and in turn, have a childhood.

“Letting ‘kids be kids’ is the best thing we can do to help them grow into happy, healthy, and resilient adults,” said Gath.

So maybe youth are growing up too fast, or maybe they are just growing up differently? Adapting and developing alongside social norms and environmental shifts, like we always have done?

Our childhoods are unique to us as individuals. For a kid now, their experience of growing up will still feel nostalgic a decade down the line.

Our generation’s experience of childhood has been completely different to that of our parents, who probably thought we grew up faster as well – but we are all still nostalgic for that past life.

So, let’s just learn from kids these days, to be encouraged to take more time offline – to slow things down and enjoy the now.

Rosie Leishman (she/her)

*Name has been changed.

When I took my ADHD medication for the first time, I wrote a thousand words in an hour.

This wasn’t standard for me. I’m convinced that throughout the 2000s, there was no child in the whole country more fidgety than me. During puberty, I sensed that day-to-day life shouldn’t feel quite this hard. I used to say that my head felt like it was “full of buzzing bees”.

I spent years finding ways to trick my brain into functioning properly when I needed to work. There were planners, selfimposed deadlines, rewards – even locking myself in a dark room until I finished an assignment. The last one worked the best, but I can’t recommend it, because it took me three days to adjust to daylight again.

Thinking back on it now, this screams ADHD.

Alex Kerr, Founder and CEO of the study management tool Kumo, told Canta that ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) affects the prefrontal cortex. She described this part of the brain as “like your internal coach – responsible for discipline, time management and motivation,” but for people with ADHD, “this coach is on long service leave.”

“With deficient executive functioning skills in an ADHD brain, students often struggle with meeting deadlines, maintaining focus, finding motivation, procrastinating, experiencing task paralysis, and more.”

I can vouch for this. But it still took a growing number of diagnoses in my family to convince me to see a psychologist. In January 2023, about to turn 22, I was finally diagnosed through the private system. All it took was a few Zoom calls, a six-month wait, and a cheeky $1,300.

I was prescribed Ritalin and my word counts shot up. Suddenly I could sit through two-hour lectures with my butt going numb instead of my brain. The bees didn’t disappear –they would be there when I woke up, the little bastards – but their buzzing got a lot quieter.

A weird kid since birth, and happier for it, I had also been a bit worried that medication would take away my inherent weirdness. It definitely didn’t.

Better Better

Ritalin and Concerta are the leading brand names of methylphenidate and are prescribed to many people diagnosed with ADHD and narcolepsy.

I asked newly registered pharmacist Alisa Chen, 23, about these meds and their effects. She explained that methylphenidate “belongs to a group of medicines called stimulants and works by increasing activity in the brain, particularly in the areas that control attention and behaviour.”

Chen said that they can help people with ADHD to “concentrate better, be less impulsive, and feel calmer”.

Ryan*, 29, found out he had ADHD when he took a stimulant medication offered by a friend. “I was hesitant because I don’t do drugs, like, at all. But she made the point that it was the quickest way to find out.”

“So I did a line of it… and it all just felt normal and right.”

He was later diagnosed privately, being “lucky enough to have [the] cash” for it. For Ryan, diagnosis allowed him to be “self-aware” and he has “never encountered much else” as effective for him as medication.

“I hear it’s pretty tough sitting on that wait list,” he said.

Content creator and neurodiversity advocate Christina Gera, 22, was on the wait list for “a really, really long time”. She said that a year and a half into the process, “I had to be seen privately,

Charlotte circa 2008, undiagnosed but slaying. Source: Craig Thornton.

Better Late Than Never Better Late Than Never An Ode to Ritalin

because there was just no room for me to do it publicly.”

A nationwide shortage of available psychiatrists leads to these lengthy wait times. Seeking a diagnosis requires a lot of patience and effort, which can get exhausting – and ADHD is known for its major impact on motivation.

In 2021, ADHD New Zealand conducted a survey of ADHDdiagnosed adults. Chairperson Darrin Bull told RNZ, “60 percent [of respondents] believe diagnosis takes too long, or are still waiting for one, and roughly a third give up trying to get any help at all.”

UC graduate Barrett Robb, 23, said, “I was only able to get a diagnosis due to money given to me by a family member. It cost over $1,500. I don’t know how I would’ve coped without it and am horrified that the barriers to access are so high.”

Ritalin and Concerta are category B2 controlled drugs here in Aotearoa; recreationally, they’re used to increase energy, excitement, and concentration.

“Recreational use of this medication is the reason why it has to be so tightly controlled at the pharmacy… I feel for the patients who have to work around these restrictions, but hopefully, you can understand that it is for the good of the community,” said Alisa Chen.

Not all unauthorised use is recreational. Ryan shared that “nearly every ADHD person” he knows “has just a big box of meds they forget to take, and they’ll share it with other ADHD folk who forget to get their prescription renewed. Probably illegal, but you do what you gotta do!”

Gera works with the group Young Neurodiversity Champions, who advocate for increased support in the education system for Aotearoa’s neurodivergent young people.

Gera said that whether or not you’re medicated for your ADHD, “the experiences you feel are valid… it could definitely feel like everyone is just playing life on easy mode, and you’re just scraping behind, [but] there are lots of people like you.”

“There is hope of creating a society where… neurodiverse people

are celebrated,” Gera said.

Along with medication, support for people with ADHD can include broader study options, sensory-friendly events, and assistive technologies.

Kerr’s study tool, Kumo, aims to “streamline… some of the boring monotonous activities associated with studying” and to provide “more structure and external motivation”.

University can be a tough time for those with ADHD, since assessment requires so much self-direction and organisation. This can lead to major stress and burnout.

My executive functioning wasn’t the best when I started studying, so medication completely changed university for me. Due dates are still just as stressy as they always were, but I’m able to work without bursting into tears for no reason. Most of the time.

Ryan, Gera, and Robb all consider medication to be important in their lives. “Being prescribed medication was life-changing –I would’ve dropped out of uni without it,” said Robb.

If I hadn’t been diagnosed, I might have gone in that direction. I certainly wouldn’t have made it through much longer without having a menty b.

Don’t get me wrong: uni and work aren’t everything, and your worth is not defined by your productivity. The modern world demands a lot from us, often at the expense of our well-being. But it’s nice to make things. And it’s nice to finish them. Sometimes, those things are assignments.

For two decades, I only made it halfway through everything. I was tired. I’m still very tired – but it’s only because there are so many things I have to finish. And now I can finish them.

Charlotte Thornton (she/her)

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,

At this point in the year, I have been sitting with my lecture friends but am wanting more. How do I bridge the gap and turn these lecture friends into ‘outside of uni’ friends?

From, Bestie

Dear Bestie,

This is probably one of the most commonly asked questions about university. Making friends is incredibly hard, but it’s important so that we can have a life outside of our university assignments.

Try asking them to study outside of tutorial or lecture time. You could sit at the Foundry and have a coffee on the big benches, get some study in and get to know them at the same time! Sounds like a pretty good plan to me.

It can be a pretty daunting thing asking people for a study session, but I bet you they’ve been thinking the same thing if they’re still sitting with you after each lecture.

Good luck!

Love, Canta

How do you spend your weekends?

A. Partying and hung over.

B. Working on my hobbies.

C. Hanging out with friends!

D. Going on adventures!

What toy are you? What toy are you?

What do you do to relax?

A. Go on a walk.

B. Listen to music.

C. Talk to a friend.

D. Go on a drive.

My friends would describe me as…

A. Confident

B. Creative

C. Friendly

D. Outgoing

Favourite childhood film?

A. Cinderella

B. Spy Kids

C. Barbie & the Diamond Castle

D. Cars

Go to study spot?

A. The Library

B. Engcore

C. A study room

D. Somewhere outside

Mostly A’s: Bratz

You have a passion for fashion – you are always the most fashionable person in the room. You’re confident and it’s your best accessory. You have the respect of your peers, and you are dominating your degree. Keep it up!

Mostly B’s: Lego

You are a builder and a creative. You like to spend lots of times on your various hobbies and interests. You have an impressive work ethic and are an over achiever. However, this can make you come across uptight – but you are fun to be around and are super chill.

Mostly C’s: My Little Pony

Friendship is magic! And for you that is true. You love spending time with your friends no matter what you’re doing, whether it’s studying, grocery shopping, or partying. You are a dependable friend that people love to be around. Although you spend a lot of time with others, you make sure to stay true to yourself and don’t lose your individuality.

Mostly D’s: Hot Wheels

Obviously, you drive a car – but not just any car. A car that you take pride in the upkeep of, making sure it’s always clean and working as it should. You are either a big-time partier or an outdoor type. You spend the week looking forward to your next big adventure or having a drink. But remember: don’t drink and drive.

05/03/2007 13:42

Stop Remaking OUR Childhood

Growing up in the 2000s felt like the peak of childhood video media, from TV shows like The Wiggles and Ben 10 to movies like Barbie & the Diamond Castle and Shrek. It felt like we were swimming in all the amazing options.

Many of us hold these beloved movies and shows dear to our hearts, holding onto nostalgia for our childhoods attached to a character, a storyline, and sometimes an animation style.

In recent years, studios have been releasing reboots, spinoffs, remakes, and sequels of our favourite childhood shows, and although they’re targeted at a new generation of children, many people our age have been vocal on social media about how these shows are “ruining our childhoods”.

One example of this is the Ben 10 franchise. For those who don’t know, Ben 10, now known as Ben 10 Classic, was a show that aired on Cartoon Network from 2005 until 2008. The show followed a 10-year-old hero, Ben, who discovers a device called the Omnitrix which allows him to transform into different aliens with unique superpowers.

This show is beloved to many kids that grew up watching Cartoon Network. The show had two popular spin-offs, Ben 10: Alien Force and Ben 10: Ultimate Alien, and although these were well-liked, the reboot was not.

The 2016 Ben 10 was a complete reboot of the original show, following the same premise with changes to the animation. Although this show was made for a new generation of kids, to grow up with the same characters many others did, the show was not well received. It received a 2.8/10 rating on IMDb, compared to the original show’s 7.5/10.

When the show first came out, many adults took to various social media platforms to air their frustrations. In TikTok comment sections, users wrote “the new ones are for babies”, “I swear Ben became such a joke,” and “I miss the old Ben 10”.

These commenters disregard the fact that the target demographic for this new show is 8-to-12-year-olds, and they’re reviewing it as if it’s for over-15-year-olds.

I asked a group of UC students how they felt about reboots, with the consensus being that they were sick of them, and thought a lot of them were bad. Ella said, “Monster High was rebooted last year, and they completely changed the design of the characters and their

personalities, which is annoying because they were fine the way they were.”

But why do we feel like this when these shows aren’t for us?

The short answer is: nostalgia.

In an 2016 article published by The Guardian, titled “‘Your film has ruined my childhood!’ Why nostalgia trumps logic on remakes”, Dean Burnett identifies the notion of the “reminiscence bump”: the idea that memories obtained during childhood and early adulthood are more vivid and easier to recall than others, since our brain are developing and nearly everything we experience as children is new.

Burnett writes that nostalgia itself can be “very powerful, for numerous reasons. But it can actually be too powerful in many ways, leading a majority of people to think things are worse now than they were in the past.”

This is also known as the “positivity effect”, where different generations hold onto something in their past from a time where they viewed things as completely positive.

For younger generations raised in the beginnings of technological advancement and a “golden” age of television and movies, our positivity effect is tied to the films and TV of our childhoods. This is why many of us hold certain pieces of media so close to our hearts.

Therefore, when we feel something we loved as children – which holds a lot of nostalgia for us – is being changed, we instinctively react negatively towards it, ignoring the demographics of the show or movie and the context of the reboot.

This is why whenever a studio or company announces a reboot, spin-off, remake, or sequel for a beloved favourite from our childhood, the instant feedback is negative. We feel that these stories are for us and will never hold up to the originals.

But honestly, these shows and movies aren’t for us – they are for children, and we need to keep that in mind next time we get up in arms. They are for a new generation to enjoy the same characters and stories we did, just in a modern format.

Maia Aramakutu (Ngāti Pāhauwera, Ngāti Porou, she/her)

I Before iPhone

It’s hard to imagine a time when our mobile phones weren’t our primary means of communication or entertainment. It was an era that was entirely focused on being creative oddballs to pass the time, like riding scooters and playing at the park, or hijacking the family computer after school for our designated half-hour of Fireboy and Watergirl.

According to Business of Apps, 95% of Generation Z own a smartphone, with 78% of them considering it their most important device to go online. But what did growing up look like for Gen Z, and even Millennials, without constant calls, texting, and social media available? And how have things changed for those with children today?

Holly, 21, admits to using her phone frequently to post and message friends, and that pre-phone era was all about “creating”.

“When I was younger I played with Sylvanian families. I just set them up, and then stared at them in awe. I’d play Monopoly by myself and make up the rules,” she commented.

Her time was spent utilising her mum’s old appliances, in which she would pretend to have an adult job, and making “potions”, which involved mixing random ingredients for a mushy result.

Rain, 21, was big on these kinds of artistic activities, taking home colourful rocks to paint and decorate the garden with, and making pop-up cards and paper snowflakes.

It also seemed that finding cool sticks for wands and investigating creepy crawlies was all the rage. Gaming back then, which still has many similarities with how we engage with it now, was seen as more of a social event.

“Consoles were pretty big on the couch co-op, and that allowed me to connect with my family a lot,” said Mick, 17.

When the weather was less than ideal, gaming was for cosy enjoyment. “If it was too cold to go outside, I was a big gamer,” said Louis, 27.

While video games are a huge credit to our childhood, online gaming is just as widely renowned. Movie Star Planet allowed you to become a computerised celebrity, and in Animal Jam you played as an adorable fuzzy creature. And who could forget the horror that was discovering Omegle with friends for the first time…

With phones being the prioritised device, these aren’t talked about quite as much.

For me, it was all about dress-up. That meant flaunting the handme-down princess dresses my cousins gave me, and wearing them during impromptu tea parties with my stuffed animals.

I still have my extensive physical media collection of animated movies. I absolutely adore Barbie and Bratz from the 00s – yes, present tense – and feel a pang of nostalgia whenever I recall watching those movies on a portable DVD player. I’ll always suggest to people who miss that feeling of childhood youth, to revisit the comfort of their past: favourite movies, shows, music, and books.

“I used to read a ton, and had an interest in writing my own stories. I find that reflecting on your activities before you owned a phone is important, because technology could’ve changed the outcome of your life,” shared Nic, 20.

From what I’ve gathered, it seems that Gen Z and Millennials were able to have a mighty good time before owning a mobile phone. We re-enacted dramatic scenes with our dolls, and enjoyed Saturday morning cartoons and music videos. It was a time of simplicity, of discovering our interests before obligations and stress became prominent.

There is certainly nothing wrong with having and using a phone, but we should all be mindful of the positives that come from putting it down every now and then, especially around social interactions and mental health.

“I know a lot of comfort lies within those pixels, but constantly staring at them does have an impact on your mental health,” said Nic.

Nowadays, it’s common to see a toddler with an iPad, or their parent’s smartphone. They look happy, but it usually means being emotionally separated from those around them. A huge part of me hopes they’ll get to experience the awesome tech-free fun that we did, because it has an impact.

Going on treasure hunts and climbing trees turns you into an adventure-seeker, or an artist through drawing and crafts, and a socialiser by hanging out with the neighbourhood kids. Not everything has to change. Nostalgia can be passed down from generation to generation.

Olivia Welsh (she/her)

Club Corner Club Corner

WiTSoc

Tell us a bit about your club!

WiTSoc is a student-led club dedicated to fostering a vibrant and supportive community for women (cis and trans) and non-binary students studying STEM related degrees. For our community of over 400 students, we provide a plethora of social, academic and industry opportunities to connect with like-minded peers, professionals, and leaders.

Why is this event important to you and your club?

The Pink Ribbon Breakfast holds significance for WiTSoc. Our club not only supports women and non-binary in tech, but our mission is to support and empower individuals no matter their background. By participating in this event and supporting the breast cancer foundation, we are able to contribute to a cause that is important to our community and help make a difference in the fight against breast cancer.

How can people get involved with your club in general?

Our club, originally created to support women and non-binary individuals studying STEM-related degrees, welcomes anyone who shares our mission. People can get involved with WiTSoc by signing up to our club to get notified about our upcoming events. As well as the Pink Ribbon Breakfast, we are hosting a professional development series this term featuring industry leaders sharing valuable advice and tips. We also have our mentorship program where we connect like-minded people who may benefit from forming supportive friendships. We have lots of events lined up for this term such as study sessions, coffee times and more social events so come get involved!

Thursdays in Black

Tell us a bit about your club!

At Thursdays in Black, we are committed to advocating for, aiding, and raising awareness about domestic and sexual violence in tertiary education spaces. Our club serves as a vital platform for education, support, and activism, engaging students, and faculty alike to foster a safe and supportive campus environment.

Why is this event important to you and your club?

The Pink Ribbon Breakfast is an important event for Thursdays in Black because it aligns with our overarching goal of supporting vulnerable groups and advocating for health and wellness. Breast cancer and sexual violence both profoundly affect women’s lives, and we see a powerful synergy in addressing these challenges together. By participating in the Pink Ribbon Breakfast, we not only raise funds for crucial breast cancer research and support but also broaden our advocacy to encompass all aspects of women’s health and safety. This event allows us to connect with a wider community, highlighting the importance of solidarity and support across different causes.

How can people get involved with your club in general?

1. Join our Club and sign up as a member to be updated with our events.

2. attend the pink ribbon breakfast to get to know more about us and the other clubs we are collaborating with.

And with regards to the Pink Ribbon Breakfast - 3. directly donate to Pink Ribbon!

Tell us a bit about your club!

UCModFemSoc is dedicated to spreading activism, fostering inclusivity, and creating a space where like-minded individuals can come together. Our aim is to make our campus a more open-minded and welcoming place for everyone. We achieve this by organising events that promote awareness, spark discussion, and encourage positive change.

Why is this event important to you and your club?

The Pink Ribbon Breakfast is particularly important to us because it raises awareness about breast cancer, a disease that affects millions of women worldwide. Beyond the staggering statistics of diagnosis and mortality, there’s a broader issue of gendered disparities in healthcare. Women often face challenges in having their symptoms taken seriously by doctors, which can lead to delayed diagnoses and inadequate treatment.

By participating in the Pink Ribbon Breakfast, we not only support those affected by breast cancer but also contribute to a larger conversation about women’s health and the need for systemic change in healthcare practices.

How can people get involved with your club in general?

Getting involved with our club is easy! You can connect with us on Instagram @ UCModFemSoc and Facebook at UC Modern Feminist Society where we regularly post updates about our events. Whether you’re passionate about activism, feminism, or just looking to meet new people and make a difference, there’s a place for you in our club.

UC Women in Wellbeing

CoffeeSoc

Tell us a bit about your club!

A group for coffee lovers of all kinds, CoffeeSoc aims to promote specialty coffee and explore the process from bean to cup. We run weekly brew sessions, cuppings each term, along with other events and tutorials throughout the year. Our goal is to help our members explore the world through the different origins of coffee beans, from chocolatey Columbian to eccentric Ethiopian.

Why is this event important to you and your club?

Of course, no breakfast can exist without a good cup of coffee! The Pink Ribbon Breakfast is a great way for us to share the world of specialty coffee with others, all while supporting a meaningful cause. At its heart, coffee is a way to bring people together, and that includes helping to create a safe and comfortable space to raise awareness about important issues such as breast cancer.

How can people get involved with your club in general?

Most Saturday mornings from 10am to 12pm we can be found in the Postgrad room on campus at our weekly brew session, where members get to taste and discuss coffees from a different roastery each week. Anyone is welcome to drop by and say hello and learn something new about coffee!

QCanterbury

Tell us a bit about your club!

QCanterbury is a social club for everyone in the Rainbow community and allies at UC. We host a range of events throughout the year ranging from super social to more introverted occasions. One of our big events will be the Ball in Term 3 in collaboration with Queer in Law and Rainbow Engineering so keep your eye out for the announcement!

Why is this event important to you and your club?

Pink Ribbon is important to us as a rainbow club because our community is diverse and statistically tends to face more health disparities including a higher rate of certain cancers. It’s also about visibility as breast cancer can affect all genders and identities, we want to raise awareness about these issues and show support to all who may have been affected by breast cancer.

How can people get involved with your club in general?

To get involved with QC by attending our events, following us on instagram and spreading the word about our club!

Flat Famous Flat Famous

Want $100? Apply at

Nickname: Meal

Worst Habit: Facebook Marketplace

Favourite Flat Meal: Plain wrap

Nickname: Yahyah Worst Habit: men (and girls)

Favourite Flat Meal: A bag

Nickname: Eepy Worst Habit: Never being here :(

Favourite Flat Meal: Cheese

Nickname: Goose

Worst Habit: Always in debt

Favourite Flat Meal: 50mg

Nickname: Ellby Worst Habit: Leaving our own host

Favourite Flat Meal: Bacon

Nickname: Plow

Worst Habit: Going to town after work

Favourite Flat Meal: two bottles of wine on a quiet night in

Nickname: Calci Worst Habit: zoomies when all in bed

Favourite Flat Meal: Royal Canin

Camille

Maia

Lucy Penny

Ella

Ella

Calcifer

GCs of the Week

Introducing the newest column in Canta, GC of the Week – written by The GC in collaboration with Canta. Here, the GC celebrates everything, featuring individuals who’ve not only managed to be hilariously funny in their day-to-day lives but have also spread a positive impact throughout university.

Meet our First GC, Connor Hislop. Once rumoured to be Gordon Ramsay’s long-lost son due to his exquisite culinary expertise, Connor is always on the lookout for creative takes on dishes, whether it’s his chicken nugget butter chicken or his medium rare chicken breasts. He pushes the limits to provide either the best meal you’ve ever tasted, or a dish that so kindly results in a 3-hour round trip to the shitter. Culinary visionaries like Connor pave the way for us to try new and potentially dangerous flavour combinations for our next meal. So, the next time you’re in the kitchen, try that chocolate sauce on your burger, dip that chip into your milkshake, or even chuck a raw egg into your smoothie—because you never know, every once and a while it might

Nominations

Nominated by her flatmate: Hannah is the goodest GC on the block, whether she is putting up with my dusty-ness, coming for a sweet treat or just having a chat; she is THE GC. Recently and not so recently, Hannah has just been the best friend a girl could ask for… fr. I think she deserves this because she is cool and does not get enough recognition. Love you GC and Hannah.

Our next Gc of the week Riley Landon-Lane Always hosts. Enough said.

GC of the Week

Tim Naki

Tim Naki recently achieved a groundbreaking milestone by reaching 100,000 dollars per hand in his gambling endeavors. This remarkable achievement not only underscores Naki’s dedication to mastering the complexities of high-stakes gambling but also highlights his unwavering commitment to promoting informed gambling practices among his audience.

With each hand played at such significant stakes, Naki has demonstrated exceptional skill, strategic prowess, and a deep understanding of the nuances of high-stakes gambling. Through his achievements, Naki has not only inspired admiration but also encouraged others to approach gambling with mindfulness, caution, and a focus on decision-making.

Naki’s journey to 100,000 dollars per hand serves as a powerful testament to his passion for the world of gambling and his belief in its potential for entertainment and enjoyment. By sharing his experiences and insights, Naki continues to empower his followers to embrace a balanced and informed approach to high-stakes gambling, emphasizing the importance of transparency and education.

As Naki celebrates this milestone, he remains dedicated to his mission of promoting safe and sustainable gambling practices and ensuring that individuals can enjoy the thrill of high-stakes gambling in a safe and mindful manner.

Connor

Hannah Riley

CANTA

Hariklia Nicola (she/her)

First New Zealander in 48 years to contest table tennis at Paralympics

Matthew Britz is a 20-year-old from Ngāmotu New Plymouth with a plan. He’s going to be representing New Zealand at this year’s Paralympics in Paris, playing table tennis.

It’s been 48 years since New Zealand last had a table tennis star representing the country at the Paralympics – at the 1976 Toronto games. His start in the sport is all thanks to his mum, who got him interested in it at a local table tennis club.

From then onwards, he was hooked. With his most recent title earned last year, which saw him crowned Oceania Champion in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

Britz has a condition called congenital myopathy, a genetic muscle disorder which causes weakness and lack of muscle tone. He has forged ahead with his goals, from trying out table tennis when he was eight to becoming hooked at 13, and now, being chosen for the Paralympics at 20 years old.

The Paralympic Games are coming up fast and will have athletes competing from all around the globe. It will take place in Paris from August 28 to September 8.

The Breakers sign young kiwi in the off season

Dunedin-born, Brisbane-raised Mojave King has signed with the Breakers during the off-season. King is the fourth player confirmed in the Breakers’ 11-man squad for the upcoming season.

The 21-year old was drafted last year into the NBA by the LA Lakers as their 47th pick. He is currently a guard for the Indiana Mad Ants and previously played in the Australian NBL. He has also played in Aotearoa New Zealand before, representing the Southland Sharks in the NBL prior to his move overseas.

The sport runs through his veins, with both of his parents having experience playing basketball professionally. His mother, Tracey, represented the New Zealand national team in 1990. His father Leonard, who is originally from the United States, was an Otago Nuggets NBL import.

The New Zealand Breakers are rebuilding their team with the likes of point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright. Confirming King on the team, and with two potential signings in NBA forward Jonah Bolden and guard Mitch McCarron, the Breakers are looking like they’ll start the next season off with a bang.

Medical student Maia Joseph secures contract with Black Ferns

Matatū player Maia Joseph got the call from Black Ferns coach, Allan Bunting, while she was driving home from training.

Joseph has been playing rugby since she was a kid, starting out on the fields for Pōneke Wellington in the under-fives league. She now plays as a half-back. Her debut for Otago was in 2020 and she was awarded the Fiao’o Fa’amausil’i Medal in 2022.

In 2023, she played for Chiefs Manawa, but unfortunately sustained an ACL injury, tragically ruling her out for the Sky Super Rugby Aupiki season. Quick to return, she played for Otago in the Bunnings Warehouse Farah Palmer Cup that same year.

She has been on the radar of Black Ferns selectors for many years now, having been selected for the Black Ferns XV and joined the Black Ferns environment ahead of the WXV tournament. After many years of hard work, she has finally earned herself her first Black Ferns contract.

Her father, Jamie Joseph, is a former rugby player and current head of rugby for the Highlanders this season.

Joseph is currently halfway through her Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at Otago. She’ll need to hang up the stethoscope for a while and pick up the boots with a match against the U.S. on May 11.

Netball rules that female transgender athletes will not be able to compete

A decision from World Netball has ruled that netball at an international level is a “gender-affected activity”.

The association’s new policy on “Participation and Inclusion” comes into immediate effect. The policy states: “[World Netball] considers this Policy necessary to secure… safety of athletes” and “fair competition”.

This follows similar decisions made in world swimming, cricket, cycling, and track and field.

Australia’s own governing body for the sport has refused to make the same changes to their own competition and condemned the decision made by World Netball. In a statement made to The Guardian, Netball Australia said their guidelines are “based on a commitment to provide welcoming and inclusive environments for all people to play netball”.

This policy will be reviewed on an annual basis.

Olympics and AI

With constant technological advancements around the world, it is no surprise that the Olympics is considering a way to integrate artificial intelligence into the 2024 Paris games.

The International Olympic Committee wants to harness the power of artificial intelligence to improve judging, monitor athletes’ performances, and to identify promising athletes.

The Paris Olympics are set to start in less than 100 days. The IOC has made significant progress to integrate AI into the games by setting up a working group on technology to further cement the initiative.

AI will also be used for security throughout the games. This decision has come under scrutiny due to public concerns regarding facial recognition technology. However, the French government has ensured that no such technology will be used.

Don’t cry because it’s over, cry because it happened!

A look back into our childhoods scariest moments

Elsie Williams (she/her)

You’d like to think children’s movies are filmed with the intent to entertain and inspire young audiences, not cause a crying fit and make innocent little brains move back into their parents’ bedrooms at age 12. Let’s step into the shadows of children’s movies, where the bright colours and playful antics often conceal something darker. Spoilers ahead!

Where the Wild Things Are

(2009)

This film felt more like an eerie fever dream than a kid’s movie. And funnily enough, it wasn’t designed for children. Instead, it’s just about them, according to the filmmakers. Max’s parents are divorced, his sister doesn’t want a bar of him, and he’s fighting with his mother. And where does he go?

To an island with a bunch of big, scary-looking “wild things”. Max faces dark threats from the monsters, including being eaten, with one monster’s erratic, paranoid nature adding to the tension. When the author of dismissed suggestions that parents might think this film is too scary, he said he would tell them to “go to hell”. How delightful!

Drop Dead Fred (1991)

Now, this one is niche, but unforgettable. The imaginary friend Fred’s slapstick style of comedy was intriguing to the young eye, and quite frankly, it was naughty and funny. The mischief he caused when Elizabeth was a child and an adult embodied the kind of silliness we all aspire to have in our childhood.

But while marketed as a children’s comedy, the film explores mental illness and the use of an imaginary friend to cope with childhood trauma. Lizzie experiences a series of traumatic events, including catching her husband cheating on her, losing her job, and moving back in with her emotionally abusive mother. Very intense for young children, but at least Fred is funny, right?

The Cat in the Hat (2003)

What was delightful, colourful chaos as a seven-year-old became a whimsical nightmare to the mature eye. Now, I wouldn’t say this film completely falls into the “dark” category, but it’s just completely strange. Despite advertised as a children’s movie, this movie tries way hard to appeal to adults who are likely to hate the oversaturation of poor jokes.

The Cat in the Hat contains an excessive amount of blatant racism and offensive jokes, incredibly sexual undertones, constant aggression, threats of death and injury, and even more racism. Safe to say this is a shameful adaptation of Dr Seuss’ original story, and it’s just unnecessarily shit.

Coraline (2009)

This one genuinely reinforced my fears of moving into a new house, especially an old, slightly quirkier one. There’s something inherently creepy about stop-motion films, and with the storyline following suit, it’s rather difficult for children to gloss over the scary stuff when the animation itself is so spooky.

Coraline experiences a deep sense of neglect from her parents, who both seem to be dealing with financial struggles as well as depression. The whole tone of the film is sad and eerie until her new world appears. At first, it’s a child’s dream, until those damn needles and buttons come out and the mother goes crazy.

Coraline delves into manipulation, isolation, and the longing for something better, which for many kids is a sad reality of childhood. This film definitely led some kids to become horror junkies, and rightfully so, but the rest were left traumatised.

The NeverEnding Story (1984)

Despite its fever-dream approach, this is not a “feel-good” film. While dealing with the grief of losing his mother at a young age, a lack of empathy in three school bullies makes it even harder for Bastian to battle the loneliness. His immersion in the world of the book brings its own darkness as he tries prevent their world disappearing into a void of “The Nothing”.

And if it wasn’t dark enough, the poor boy watched his beloved horse slowly drown to death in the “Swamps of Sadness”. Not to mention the strange – and somewhat seedy – dog-dragon just being downright scary, his father being so hard on him, and the fact no one even noticed he was missing. Probably easier to watch with a naïve young mind.

My Girl (1991)

Following the same devastating fate as Bridge to Terabithia, My Girl deals with the most pure and wholesome friendship between two children, until it comes to an end. Watching 11-year-old Vada grieve the loss of her best friend and “blood brother” Thomas J was truly agonising to watch.

Sobbing, she yells, “He can’t see without his glasses! Where are his glasses?” Among other tragedies, like the death of her mother and the fact her schoolteacher doesn’t love her back – strange, I know – the death of her best friend was just the awful icing on the cake to a very dark tale. Of course, the ending somehow managed to be wholesome, but damn, watching her sob was a sore sight, and caused a little too much heartache to amend.

Canta Commentary Nostalgic Online Games

I was never the biggest fan of Moshi Monsters, and that’s because other games – like Movie Star Planet – took priority. However, there’s no doubting its popularity, and that for a number of years, this cutesy game topped the ranks.

At one point, I had keychains and tiny mystery toys resembling the moshlings that players could collect. The highlights were personalising my moshlings’ room and dabbling with the daily puzzle challenges to earn virtual currency.

It always felt safe to log on after a long day at school, knowing the fun you could have with the singing creatures in their adorable outfits. While not as memorable to me as some of the other entries discussed here, Moshi Monsters weaselled itself into our hearts years ago, and remains there, reminding us of simpler times and the adventures of online gaming.

Little Alchemy

This game is my Roman Empire. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about Club Penguin and the impact it had on me as a kid. Being open-world and multiplayer made Club Penguin an easily-accessible and constantly evolving means of fun. And it was free, which is always a plus.

Since its official discontinuation in 2017, I’ve yet to see or hear another online game make as big a splash. It offered so many ways of entertaining us. I loved mastering the elements of fire, water, and snow at the dojo, adopting too many puffles, and becoming a secret agent.

My penguin was quite literally a jack of all trades. The mini games Ice Fishing, Bean Counters, and Dance Contest were awesome, and I truly wish I’d gotten better at Catchin’ Waves. Club Penguin always had events going on, and different ways to meet other players or collect merchandise. Unlike other gaming, it wasn’t just about making money off of kids and their families. Club Penguin was pure enjoyment.

Little Alchemy made me think science was the easiest thing in the world, and I both love and despise it as a result. I felt very clever tinkering with the elements, and combining them to see what concoctions I came up with.

The frustrating part was getting stuck, much like with a puzzle, and having to click for a hint. I wanted to be able to do it on my own: to uncover all 580 elements in the original version.

I remember my classmates and I banding together during break and trying to best one another. I really can’t recall if anyone I knew got them all in the end – certainly not myself.

Little Alchemy is very much like Minecraft in the creating and building aspects, but more for those who focus on brain power. I suggest revisiting it.

Papa Louie Games

Iconic is the first word I’d use to describe Papa Louie Games. It was for those who got a buzz off fast-paced and stressful environments, or just loved making and serving virtual food.

I think Papa’s Pizzeria was the one that stood out to me most. It was the OG; the basis for an obsession that has followed me into adulthood. I’d like to think I subconsciously made myself a foodie from this.

Papa’s Hot Doggeria was also excellent, and made me thankful to never work the fast-food stand at a sports game. To conquer Papa Louie’s, you played at the speed of light, becoming so focused on levelling up that nothing else mattered. What was enjoyable about these games is that everything was so bright and colourful, and the background music kept you playing at a consistent pace. Excellent marketing, too.

Happy Wheels

Every horror lover got their grotesque interests from playing Happy Wheels as a kid. Or at least I did. It was the first access to rough online gaming that one might have. It was memorable for putting your patience and unrefined physics skills to the test, much like with Ragdoll Games.

Often glitching out with the most annoying background music and sound effects, Happy Wheels was difficult to enjoy without your parents or teachers seeing, but was a bit of violent, harmless fun.

I did find that progressing through the game as a kid meant restarting the same level over and over again, because it was surprisingly tricky. Why were games designed for the younger generation always so hard? To a point, it felt good to be challenged, but it’s not always what one might want when trying to blow off steam.

Club Penguin

Moshi Monsters

Olivia Welsh (she/her)

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

Dipper One

I applied to Lucky dip thinking awesome free ice cream and meeting someone new I didn’t actually expect to get in but low and behold CANTA had given me this great opportunity. Since applying to the Lucky Dip in the first term my flat mate had a less than great date but none the less I still decided to go on the date though a bit more nervous than when I was applying.

Walking down the scenic New Regent Street in the low sun and bustling street, I arrived at the Rollickin waiting in line thinking if I should just leave now and ignore my emails. Talking to the staff I was instructed to go wait upstairs for my date to arrive, my heart practically leaping out of my chest with nerves. I sat down by the window and watched the trams go down the street while I waited for my date. I had not waited for long before she arrived. We greeted each other and sat by the window. She was a nice-looking girl and we began talking about the usual first date things like what’s your degree, where you from, what clubs & hobbies you.

Unfortunately, I think we both found conversation quite dry as she was checking her phone quite often and we did not share too much in common. We had talked about what Op Shop Soc actually did beside drinking and flat parties and I was unable to think of something. I shared about my short experience of her home city of wellington which is apparently not always windy.

In line for ice cream we discussed what our favourite flavours were and what we were gonna get (if you are going to Rollickin i highly recommend the Dulce De Leche). Once back upstairs we found we both had spent a few summers in Whangamata and both enjoyed biscuiting in the ski lane and boogie boarding in maybe dangerously high surf that Whangamata gets often. I had recommended the rent a surfboards there as she had been interested in trying them out but was worried of running someone over, but in my experience people get out of the way before that happens.

Overall, I had an interesting night it ended after an hour as she had plans later on. She was very nice to talk, and I had a good time and was thankful to CANTA for giving me this opportunity.

LUCKY DIP

Dipper Two

After several conversations joking with my flatmates about going on a lucky dip date, they managed to convince me to sign up. As there was a slim chance of being chosen, I decided to take the risk; after all, there was the possibility of meeting the love of my life. Several weeks later, I had almost forgotten about signing up until my phone gave me the notification alerting me I had been chosen for this once in a lifetime opportunity. Second guessing my decision of signing up, I was reminded of the free ice cream and some free yogi bear was too good to give up.

Leading up to the date I expected myself to be nervous but even walking in I was feeling pretty chill. Although I intended to get there early, I arrived 10 minutes late and found my date already waiting for me. My date definitely seemed more nervous than me but after the first 15 minutes of speaking the conversation was going smoothly. However, I wouldn’t say it was love at first sight. After a few more surface level questions we went downstairs to get the free ice cream I had been waiting for. I had already planned what flavors I was getting and was pleased that my date copied me by getting yogi bear, at least I knew he had good taste.

Sadly after getting the ice cream the conversation went downhill. Every topic we talked about seemed forced and didn’t flow onto the next conversation. I could see him trying not to judge me for how quickly I downed

my ice cream before he hit me with the question of “do you classify yourself as a nerd”. Hot tip fellas dont ask girls if they’re a nerd. The question shocked me as I was sitting on the couch with my fluffy slippers, leather jacket, and mini bag. I mean you can’t judge a book by its cover so i respect him for asking but i’m definitely the complete opposite of a nerd, I resonate with more of a basic white girl. I knew it was time to go when I felt my social battery begin to die from trying to keep the conversation going.

Although we were definitely very different and probably won’t have another date the overall experience wasn’t bad. We had some good chats and had a few similarities like loving frozen margs and spending summer in Whangamata. So overall, a pretty fun afternoon and would highly recommend going on a lucky dip date to anyone who’s on the fence about it. You’ll have the chance to meet the love of your life and a good topic for the Sunday morning debrief.

Puzzles Puzzles

How many words (at least three letters) can you make with the word...

DINOSAUR

20 x 20 'circle' shaped maze

Can you escape the maze?

Please, please, please stop trying to make that one thing work. Whether it’s a situationship, a bad idea, or even your degree, make a change and pivot. It’s important to know when to stop and regroup.

Flexibility isn’t your strong suit – and I am not just talking about physically. You need to learn to let loose and accept other people’s ideas and collaborations. Especially with all those group projects coming up…

Stop worrying about your grades, your attendance, and your 1% Learn posts that actually aren’t the end of the world. You’re doing so well! Back yourself and give yourself a break – or else you might break yourself.

This month is screaming “find a job!” Whether you have one and hate it, or don’t but need one, this is a sign to get yourself out there. What have you got to lose? Just please have a new job lined up before you quit your current one!

You and Libra go hand in hand. You’re both control freaks that need to calm down. You may think that you two are holding down the fort in a group project, but you’re actually just pissing everyone off. Sort it out!

You’ve been extremely chaotic recently. Start slowly and work your way up. Start by cleaning your room, then do your laundry, then cook a meal, and sit down to enjoy it! There is light at the end of the tunnel –all you need is a little organisation.

Capricorn

It’s hard to stay motivated 24/7. Trust me, I know. You need to find balance outside of uni to help you be your best self! Try getting outside for some fresh air, or going for a wander down to the undercroft to get a snack – whatever works!

Aquarius

You haven’t been as bold or taking as many risks as you usually do. Whatever it is you’re freaking out about now, please just take a minute to remember who you are. We all know you have it in you to do whatever you want successfully.

Pisces

Time to stop setting yourselves up for failure! No, they don’t like you back; yes, you need to start going to lectures; and maybe start looking after yourself? You are your biggest weakness at this point.

Slow down there, bestie. You are moving way too fast. Maybe telling you last time to try something new was a bad idea, because you’ve taken it way too far. Take a break and focus on you. Your sanity is more important than anything else.

Keep up the hard work. I know it feels like you’re getting nowhere and no one is acknowledging all your hard work, but trust that I am! You’re doing a great job and it will all pay off so soon.

Your friendships and relationships are making you incredibly bored. That is okay –we all drift from those we love. Maybe re-evaluate and see if you can do a little better.

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