CANTA ISSUE 9, 2020

CANTA CANTA CANTA CANTA CANTA

EDITORIAL

Narcissism means an excessive interest in oneself. Your ego is full front and center. You admire yourself and your appearance. This often expresses itself in attributes such as selfishness, entitlement and a lack of empathy for others. This is one way you can view narcissism – a negative personality trait.

But when looking at narcissism from a different perspective, there are parts of the personality trait that are really quite important to embrace – like having an interest in yourself, and admiring yourself for who you are, messy hair, toothpaste smile, and the occasional break out in all. We should consistently work to love ourselves. Not in a way where we think we’re better than others, but in a way of acceptance and encouragement. We should be proud of how far we’ve come, and celebrate the victories. We should be unafraid to divert from tall poppy syndrome and share our successes with the world. Because sharing our successes can help inspire others too!

Maybe we can actually learn from some narcissistic personalities out there. From Trump, we can leave behind the huge ego, and embrace the confidence he has – fake it til you make it baby! From Kim Kardashian, we should learn that it’s okay to be a little bit selfish...It’s alright to say no to things asked of you when you’re already overwhelmed and bursting at the seams; you’ve got to make yourself happy. You won’t be able to help others if you can’t help yourself first.

I hope you enjoy this issue; it also includes lil bios for the candidates for the upcoming UCSA elections. Have a read and see who resonates with you. This election is like practice for the general elections in September!

Arohanui, Sam

CONTRIBUTORS

Samantha Mythen

Roshanah

Masilamani

Connor Wetdewich

Ryan Amer

Conor Jones

Liam Donnelly

Java Katzur

Lily Mirfin

George Hampton

Michael Freeman

Ella Somers

Tori McNoe

Reverend Spanky Moore

Kristie Boland

Sharna Writes

Srishti Mukherjee

Sriparna Saha

QCanterbury

Upcoming Events

Club Noticeboard

If your club wants to promote an event, reach out to editor@canta.co.nz with the details to be featured!

If you have a passion for entrepreneurship and want to get involved with clubs at UC then this is your chance. Being a part of the Entré executive will enable you to learn skills that cannot be taught in a lecture, broaden your network, and be a part of a team that will help you reach your potential. If this interests you, then follow the link to apply.

News

Car Crime Crisis

By: George Hampton

Imminent disaster! Riccarton streets are being terrorised by criminals! There has been a rise in car break-ins and vandalism over the last few weeks. In the area of Riccarton shown above, there have been at least five cars broken into, three cars with slashed tires, and many, many, smashed mirrors. The break-ins have been accompanied with thefts such as a handbag and jumper leads, and most of these incidents have happened around 10-11 at night.

Some things you can do to help prevent your car being broken into are:

• Double-checking its locked.

• Keeping valuable items out of sight – or even better, out of the car.

• Parking in secure or monitored areas.

• Buying a car with an alarm or getting one installed.

Unfortunately, the scum who smash wing mirrors usually do so on a whim. This makes it a lot harder to prevent. Some modern cars have alarms which detect them being damaged, but no student is going to afford one of those. The only real effective way to protect your car is off-street parking. If this is not an option, you can try the (unconfirmed) bogan method of buying a car which is so beat-up, that taking a hammer to it would improve it.

Of course, these aren’t all doable for students, so just… Try and look out for each other alright? And also, the police are there to help in whatever extent they can.

Image Source: Google Maps

Unknown Presidential Candidate Called ‘No Confidence’ Clear Frontrunner

A fairly unknown candidate for the UCSA Presidential Election, called No Confidence, appears to be the frontrunner at this stage in the race.

With little to no visible campaign around campus or online, the candidate’s success has come as a surprise to many.

However, No’s simple campaign message of having no confidence appears to be resonating with students.

“Hmmm, I’ve never met No Confidence, but I can really get behind his campaign. Strange name though, must be French or something” Said one student.

Canterbury University Being Sued by Blind Foundation For Insensitive ‘UCMe’ Advertising

The University of Canterbury is being sued by the New Zealand Blind Foundation after years of its offensive ‘UCMe’ advertising campaigns.

The university is expected to lose the lawsuit after the use of their ‘UCMe’ advertising campaign for many years has drawn consistent anger from the organization.

The Blind Foundation believes that the university is discriminatory again blind people, because they in fact cannot C.

“For years we’ve been enraged by their insensitive campaign, now it’s about time they got rid of it” said a Blind Foundation representative.

People Angered at Lack of Full Moon at Full Moon Party

Many concert goers have been left enraged after mixedmessaging about Full Moon Party.

Hordes of amateur astronomers left Full Moon Party in anger after the severe lack of a full moon or opportunities to star gaze.

“This was bullshit! Most of the event was indoors, there was no full moon, and just a bunch of breathers asking me if I wanted a line.”

A cohort of the amateur astronomers intend to collab with The GC and CUBA next year to schedule Full Moon on a night with an actual full moon.

If you didn’t put it on instagram,

By: Lily Mirfin

I used to be strict about screen time. This was strictly selfimposed. My parents let me use whatever devices whenever I wanted growing up. There were no rules like no phone in your room or no Wi-Fi after 11pm. Perhaps because of this, I developed some pretty dependent habits surrounding social media. I curbed this throughout 2019 and 2020 and the positive impact it had on my life and my overall productiveness was pretty astounding.

did it even happen? Social media

Without social media, I wouldn’t know how to go about contacting a lot of people in my life. Sometimes I wonder if I’d view myself differently if social media didn’t exist. Or if I’d have a different relationship with social media if there had been strict rules surrounding it growing up. The way I use social media has changed significantly in the past few years. The most important thing I have learnt is that you need to recognise how social media is affecting how you view yourself.

I remember when Instagram and Snapchat first became prevalent in my life. I think I was year 9, maybe 13-yearsold. All of a sudden, everyone had iPhones and cell phones plans with data (I don’t think I understood what cellular data was at the time) and no one wanted to speak to each other at lunch time. I got my first smartphone for my 14th birthday and thought it was the peak of my life. I could finally use the apps that all my friends were using. As soon as I set up an account, I started gaining a few followers. Only people I knew, but I soon realised that some other girls in my year group had a lot more followers than I had.

Slowly I grew envious and began equating social media likes with actual self-worth.

I never posted much myself because I didn’t like how I looked in photos but I longed to be one of those girls that had a constant feed of seemingly effortless posts. I thought that your life might just be a bit shinier, sparklier, and better if you were like that. I failed to recognise the negative effect social media was having on my self-worth. This continued for a number of years.

Social media feeds into our need to gain approval from those around us. We now equate the virtual likes and comments with the self we present to the world. Social media is omnipresent in our lives and can affect people negatively or positively. It had a negative effect on my early teenage years, but I think social media today is potentially a more pleasant landscape.

Collectively, we are members of the first generation to grow up with social media.

The effect it has on our lives is yet to be fully established, but it is undoubtedly large. Social media is pivotal to our lives today but understanding how it can affect our moods is important. The level of obsession can be reduced and the first step to changing this is to unfollow accounts that make you feel less than ideal. Narcissism may be exacerbated by social media but there’s no need to perpetuate it further. There is no doubt in my mind that social media can be utilised positively, but it’s up to each individual to customise their feed to align with their personal values. We can’t blame social media for the entirety of our own confidence issues — you have to have the courage to unfollow those with a negative influence on your life.

My mindset has shifted and changed infinitely since social media first entered my life. I have harnessed social media to remain in contact with people important to me. That’s how I involve it in my life, and it’s important to ensure you find your own balance with social media also. We shouldn’t tear people down for using social media more or less than the norm. There is no clear-cut measure to what is “good” or “bad” in using social media. My main piece of advice is to try and change what you see on a day to day and see how it makes you feel. You might be surprised in the shift in your mindset.

is ingrained within the everyday life of our current generation

is borrowing brands the future of fashion?

By: Kristie Boland

Around the world, people are becoming aware of the fast-fashion industry and what it entails. Fast fashion refers to having the latest fashion designs straight from the catwalk but at an affordable price. Sounds great, right? Yeah, it’s not so great.

Fast fashion comes at a major cost to our environment. The fashion industry is the world’s second-largest contributor to pollution. It also involves inhumane, exploitative conditions for workers in countries where basic human rights are non-existent. People are becoming more aware of this and are wanting to make more sustainable, guilt-free shopping choices. But, the problem for most is the cost.

to do in recent years. If you’re like me, and just don’t have an eye for picking out the cool vintage stuff or just kinda can’t be bothered, then Instagram pages like Good Good Monday or Mustard Jumper Vintage are the answer. They do the hard work for you – finding the cool stuff, getting rid of that secondhand store smell and then selling them back to you at really affordable prices. If that’s not your cup of tea, then hire! Hiring outfits is arguably the future of fashion.

Rental businesses are providing endless fashion options and access to designer brands for everyone, even students! The days of buying something new and only wearing it once are coming to an end. Hiring outfits is a way to look and feel good in something we can’t afford to own whilst simultaneously contributing to saving the planet!

There are multiple options in Christchurch to hire from. My personal fave is Designer Wardrobe. Most places use Instagram as the main platform which is right up our alley with the opportunity to have a cheeky stalk of how past customers have worn an outfit. Some places have opted for the more sustainable option of compostable courier bags or eco-friendly dry cleaning and have the option for pick-ups and drop-offs. Designer Wardrobe now have a store for you to come and try on whatever you fancy. They try to cater to as many people as possible, with sizes ranging from 4-18 and they keep up to date with the latest fashion, involving followers via Instagram polls in future purchases.

Let’s face it – we’re students. We can’t really afford to be sporting a new outfit every time we go out … which is a lot. We definitely can’t afford the latest designer brands; our courserelated costs and weekly allowance can only stretch so far and we would NEVER spend that on anything un-course related (right?).

The answer to this problem is simple: Rent! Or buy secondhand. Second-hand clothes buying has become the cool thing

The average price to hire outfits across most rental businesses is around $50. $50 over $500? Ah, yes thanks. If you loved it so much you want to wear it again then the option is easy, buuut let’s be honest, you’ll be after something new for the next do.

Renting your next outfit is an easy non-committal, quality over quantity option for us ‘poor students’ that just want to look classy whilst drinking our wine – from a cask, of course.

Narcissism Personality Trait Or Disorder?

By: Roshanah Masilamani

Narcissists – we all know one. In this image-obsessed world of influencers and Insta baddies, narcissism seems to be on the rise. You’ve likely encountered a narcissist before, whether it was at school, work or socially. You may have even dated one. But, what do we actually mean by narcissism and what constitutes a narcissistic personality?

Typically, when we refer to a narcissist we mean a self-centred and insecure person who uses the people around them for their own advantage. However, narcissism can also refer to a personality disorder, known as narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). It’s important to note that those with narcissistic traits aren’t necessarily diagnosable with NPD; one is behavioural and the other is pathological. NPD is a legitimate mental health condition that requires diagnosis by a mental health professional – narcissists are normally just egotistical dicks.

So, how can you tell the difference?

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

As the name suggests, NPD is a personality disorder. Personality disorders are stable maladaptive patterns of behaviour. The American Psychological Association classifies a personality disorder as someone who struggles with at least two of the following four areas: cognitive (thought patterns), affective (emotional patterns), interpersonal (patterns of relating to others), and impulse-control-based.

NPD is characterised by an inflated sense of self-worth. Narcissistic personality disordered people believe that they are superior to others, often surrounding themselves with people who will boost their egos. However, this grandiosity masks an incredibly fragile self-esteem. As such, people with NPD are caught between simultaneously feeling superior and feeling insecure around others. People with NPD are vulnerable to the slightest criticism, and will often lash out at anyone who suggests that they are wrong.

People with NPD are often apt at forming relationships, whether that be social, professional or romantic. This is because they are charming and personable, and will seek out co-dependent individuals that they can take advantage of. The issue arises from maintaining these relationships long-term. They will run hot and cold with people – treating someone with kindness one day and cruelty the next. Due to their self-obsessive and toxic behaviour, people with NPD will often end up losing friends and family. However, they are able to replace these relationships quickly, and as such have a continual cycle of burning through people.

Despite their self-obsession, people with NPD do not function

well. They alienate friends and family and as such come to feel socially isolated and depressed. Those with NPD struggle to feel and experience empathy, which exacerbates this issue further. This is difficult as generally people with NPD do not want to think anything is wrong.

If this sounds like you, or someone you know, then please reach out for help. Start by visiting your GP, or even talking to a close friend or family member. There is no shame in having a mental health issue or personality disorder, and there are support services available. For NPD, the recommended treatment is typically counselling or cognitive therapy. Medication may also be an option, depending on whether the person is struggling with other mental health issues, such as depression or generalised anxiety.

Narcissists

Alongside NPD, narcissism can also be a personality trait. Narcissists are people who have narcissistic tendencies, rather than a personality disorder. Being self-absorbed in some area of life doesn’t mean you’re narcissistic in all areas. Narcissism often stems from childhood insecurities or personal trauma.

An important distinction between the two is that NPD is an enduring, consistent pattern of narcissistic and self-aggrandising attitudes. In contrast, a narcissist is more likely a person with an inflated ego who engages, at times, in selfish and manipulative behaviour. Another key difference between NPD and narcissists is the ability to feel empathy. Those who are narcissistic often feel some level of empathy for others and treat the people in their life with kindness – they don’t simply use or exploit others maliciously.

Common traits of a narcissistic individual include a tendency to be attention-seeking and self-centred, manipulative, dismissive, selfish, and requiring constant praise and attention. Someone who is narcissistic will exhibit these traits in areas of their life but this will not be disordered. We all exhibit these traits at one point or another, so it’s better to be understanding than rush to judgement.

Both people with NPD and people who are simply a little narcissistic can improve their lives by taking notice of their narcissism, working with a professional, and/or learning to better relate to others and manage emotions. You can suggest that they reach out for professional help, but you can’t make them do it. Narcissistic people are toxic and manipulative, and are often unwilling to change, or even recognise, their behaviour. Treat people with empathy and compassion, but don’t give too much of yourself. Remember, at the end of the day, it’s their responsibility, not yours.

Narcissism and Influencer Culture

By: Kristie Boland

Narcissism is a personality disorder the ‘Help Guide’ describes as being self-centred, arrogant, having a lack of empathy and consideration for other people, and an excessive need for admiration. There’s a sense of entitlement, superiority, exaggeration of talent etc. ... just downright cockiness, you get the picture. More than a few obvious subjects come to mind, *cough* Trump *cough* Kanye. But, how about the people we follow on social media? Are social media influencers just a generation of narcissists? Or are they simply just creating a brand – that brand being themselves. Because that is essentially what Instagram influencing is; using your looks, your body, your clothes, your talents among other things to influence other people.

An influencer’s everyday life turns into somewhat of a public performance. Their ‘brand’ must be upheld, which means for most, they must look great. All. The. Time. We all know it’s unrealistic to look that good all the time. A lot of influencers nowadays are even making sure they post a few #nofilter pics to make sure their followers know they are keeping it real – or so they say.

For sure, there are influencers out there keeping it real.

But making posting photos of yourself your full-time job must come with having some narcissistic traits, right? At what point does confidence and having a healthy ego turn into having an unhealthy ego?

In an unhealthy influencer culture, it tends to be the more followers or likes you get, the more value you have. The more value you have, the more your opinions matter to followers. All of a sudden, it’s not only the latest selfie that followers are interested in but it’s what they eat, where they eat, what they wear, where they hang out; then all of a sudden it turns to what their opinion is on the latest political situation. Of course, this is going to add to someone’s self-centredness need for admiration, and in some cases, superiority.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying every influencer out there is a self-centred narcissist boasting their own superiority. I’m saying let’s consider whether this the future we want? Are these the people we want to follow, watch, listen to, learn from, be influenced by? Maybe next time you’re scrolling consider this: Does this influencer add value to my life? Or am I just another follower mindlessly adding to their unhealthy ego?

Interview Feature with Tori on Presidency

By: Sam Mythen

What were your 2019 campaign promises?

Our Team ran on 5 key policies. They were:

· Exam Night Feeds

· Professor Tech

· Project Haere-roa

· Embody Manaakitanga (Hospitality)

· Hassle-Free Degree(s)

What did you pull through on?

Currently; Exam Night Feeds , Professor Tech , Project Haere-roa (Still in the works!!), Embody Manaakitanga (Hospitality) – Particularly I the Pasifika Space!!

What didn’t you pull through on? And how come?

Hassle-Free Degree(s). Honestly, I think it was a COVID thing, we have seriously run out of time - but not to fear, we have 5 months left yet!

What was it like being President during lockdown?

Rewarding to be honest – for a few reasons. The first was that we were really trying to pick up on the student voice completely online. Some would argue you can do this via social media, but that is just not where the entirety of our Student body sit. This meant multiple channels were being used to connect like WeChat for our international students.

On top of this we had some pretty hard decisions to make pretty quickly, like the Grade Scaling and pulling all the deans together really quickly, asking the VC to shut the university and keeping up a super quick turn around on Communications.

To sum the lockdown up, I’d have to say I’m really proud of our students, particularly in comparison, we’ve done really well and remained so diplomatic through the process.

What occurs in your day to day life working as President?

Honestly a LOT more admin than you think. My inbox currently had about 450 emails to reply to from last Monday (YAY!). You’re the key stakeholder for relationships too, you’ve got to keep everyone on board the same waka to paddle toward the same vision, otherwise, everyone ends up clashing and nothing productive gets done.

Meetings stack up your day and everyone is VERY different, so preparation is key and of course, you’re still enrolled so DO NOT forget class (like me)!

It’s also a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, you’ve got to divert decision making a lot without shooting off the hip and play a support role to lots of your executive. And of course, you’ve GOT TO REPRESENT! Meaning, often, decisions you represent aren’t yours. It’s a balance between knowing all of the information and really ensuring everyone is heard.

What have been your biggest victories and highs for this year as President?

In no particular order:

· Being part of the First Female Duo to lead this association! Unexpected yet very cool piece of history!

· Being part of UC Securing $5m to get rid of the boiler – bye bitch x

· This leadership team is amazing. Sometimes I have felt like the odds are completely against this executive, but how we have managed to come together, has proved to me anything is possible literally, I would endorse them all as outstanding leaders.

· Upcoming, will be an ECHO360 Proposal that has a heck tonne of clout, hoping to make ECHO360 a necessity for all lectures.

· Support for Clubs over COVID19.

Lows of this year?

This is extremely naïve, but I just don’t think anything I originally thought was going to be a low, has ended up as a low. Even through the shit things, I feel like a much better person because of it!

What happened to Foundry Feeds?

Due to a really low uptake, we bided to change the menu completely and make all options cheaper – we also introduced Exam Dinners with bigger portions and way better uptake. So, we opted to keep it that way! I loved Foundry feeds, but the quality and portion size was just unachievable in this market for that price. Sad to let go, but we were better off for it.

What advice would you give for the Presidential candidates for the 2021 elections?

Wear your heart on you sleeve. Students respond really well to people they know and can resonate with. It’s scary, but you get one shot at it so you’re best to put the best version of yourself forward.

What changes would you like to see for UC in 2021?

For us, we are working on a partnership agreement with UC to see a level of consistency across his place in all things clubs, ECHO, learning support, access to services etc. I also really back the UC Strategy because we as students feed so heavily into it, but I’m hanging on to really see it come to life and some equity come into play. If any two things NEED to take place, it’s these!

Mental Health & Narcissism

By: Sharna Writes

Imagine: You get an A+ on a particularly tough test or essay, and you’re feeling pretty stoked with yourself. You brag to your friends (who only got B’s) for a few days, until they tell you how annoying you’re being and you stop and go back to being your normal self. Were you being conceited in this situation? You betcha. Does this mean you’re a bit of a narcissist? Well ... no, not necessarily. The word has been thrown around a lot lately, but turns out Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a genuine mental health issue and it can cause a lot of problems for those who suffer, as well as those who have to interact with these people in daily life.

Firstly, what exactly is a Personality Disorder? Put simply, they are a pattern of thinking, feeling and acting that is not consistent with what is expected in wider society. In order to be diagnosed with a full-blown personality disorder, these thoughts, feelings and behaviours need to be causing significant problems in a person’s daily activities, relationship with others, and/ or general quality of life. It is not uncommon for other mental health issues to also be present alongside a personality disorder, which of course can add to the challenge these people face. There are 10 personality disorders recognised by The Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand (MHFNZ), of which Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is one.

MHFNZ lists these signs of someone who may have NPD:

- Have a sense that they are very important, and talk a lot about how successful their lives are or will be.

- Preoccupied with fantasies about power, money, the perfect partner, etc.

- Expect to be recognised as superior to others, whether or not their achievements warrant it.

- Will dismiss others opinions and highlight the perceived importance of their own.

- May lie and exaggerate to make themselves seem more important, and others less so.

- Demand constant attention and affection.

- Will take advantage of others in order to get what they want.

- Do not handle criticism well, and are often jealous of others or assume others are jealous of them.

- Dramatic and erratic behaviour.

These sound pretty intense and troubling, especially if this sounds like you or someone you know, but there are treatments available to make life easier for someone who is suffering. No one knows for sure what causes Personality Disorders such as this, whether genes or upbringing or life situations, but that doesn’t mean there is no hope.

Counselling or talking therapy is the generally accepted

treatment for a personality disorder such as narcissism, alongside learning problem-solving skills to deal with life events. Medication can also be used to treat any other conditions present, such as depression or anxiety, which can alleviate some symptoms in order to focus on the person’s thoughts and behaviour. The first step is a visit to your GP, who can refer you on to a mental health professional who can make a formal diagnosis. If your first visit doesn’t get you the help you need, keep trying other doctors.

What if you have a friend or family member who is showing signs of maybe having NPD? Let’s turn again to our trusty MHFNZ, who have the following suggestions:

People with a personality disorder can be quick to take your thoughts or actions the wrong way, so make sure you’re being clear and be prepared to clarify further if needed. Don’t take these reactions personally.

Research NPD further (this article is just a start!) so you can understand as much as possible.

Encourage your friend or family member to continue treatment, and avoid drugs and alcohol, which may make the condition worse.

As always, make sure your own wellbeing, too (remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup!).

Looking after your mental health is super important for overall wellbeing, and recognising that narcissistic behaviour can be something more than just someone acting “cocky” is a step in the right direction for someone who may be experiencing distress as a result of their thoughts and actions. MHFNZ has lots of resources and information on their website on how to identify and cope with a range of mental health conditions, both for those suffering and for their friends and whanau. If there is someone in your life who is showing signs of being a narcissist, do not just write them off as being somebody you can’t be bothered dealing with – remember, they may be having as much, if not more, trouble dealing with it, and they deserve to know that there is help and support available.

Heroes Of New Zealand

By: Michael Freeman

We live in an all-round wonderful place. From towering mountains to serene rivers winding through native bush, our country has astounding natural beauty and the communal spirit to match. Heroes of New Zealand normally aims to not only highlight those members of our communities who go underappreciated, but also embody the attitude that makes New Zealand the greatest country in the world. But the topic of this month’s CANTA is narcissism, and it’s hard to find a narcissistic hero without pissing a lot of people off The world used to be a lot simpler. You commit a crime, leave the country, and you’ve gotten away with it. No pesky international co-operation or extradition treaties to worry about – once you’re outside of the law enforcements jurisdiction there is no chance you get arrested. This is no longer the case. With the advent of the internet and the international legal structures we take for granted, fugitives from the law can be caught halfway across the world from where they committed the crime. This was the case for Kim Dotcom, who was arrested in New Zealand for crimes which were allegedly committed in the United States.

Kim Dotcom, formerly known as Kim Schmitz, is a 46-year-old tech entrepreneur from West Germany, who has lived in New Zealand since 2010. Over the years he has been involved with multiple companies, making an estimated 200 million dollars in 2010 Companies such as Trendax, MegaPorn, and the most notorious, Megaupload, which at its peak accounted for approximately 4% of all internet traffic. However, Dotcom is not known for his skills in the business world, but rather his playboy image and penchant

for surrounding himself with the finer things in life. He has produced music (“Good Life” slaps, highly recommend checking it out), hosted yacht parties in the Mediterranean, and had multiple sports cars with number plates such as “POLICE” and “STONED”. He was also ranked number one in Call of Duty MW3 at the time of his arrest.

The operative word there is had. Dotcom’s lifestyle took a massive hit in the form of a dawn raid on his Auckland mansion in January 2012 by the New Zealand police, on the request of the FBI. Over 50 officers armed to the teeth, their attack dogs, and two helicopters stormed the “Dotcom Mansion” to arrest Dotcom for copyright violations, only to find him sitting waiting for them in a hidden safe room. He was then taken to Mount Eden prison and soon released on bail after which, true to form, he threw a huge party. Even before this, Dotcom was no stranger to brushes with the law. In 1994 he was arrested in Germany on charges of trafficking stolen payphone calling-card numbers and received a twoyear suspended sentence. This time however, he and the other co-founders of Megaupload, were on the end of a multinational witch-hunt headed by the FBI and this time it didn’t look like they’d get off so easy.

Megaupload provided file hosting services allowing users, both private and corporate, to host and share large files easily. But, as many internet companies have learnt, allowing users to upload their own files leads to a litany of issues with law enforcement and copyright. The FBI alleged that Dotcom and his partners knowingly allowed their users to upload and share copyrighted material and therefore were on the hook for thousands

of copyright violations charges. The defence offered the argument that no, the owners of Megaupload were not aware of the copyright infringement, and even if they were, why were they the ones being prosecuted and not the end user?

The Kim Dotcom arrest was big news in New Zealand. Many wondered why the police would go so overboard to arrest a private individual on non-violent charges, and even more wondered why the New Zealand police were arresting people on the FBI’s request. Even the hacker group Anonymous kicked up a stink, allegedly performing a DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack on the American justice.gov website. None were more perturbed than Dotcom himself. After posting bail, he went on a media blitz, telling anyone who would listen that the charges against him were trumped up, and even starting an independent political party (The Internet Party) to run in the New Zealand elections. Many at the time thought that Dotcom was just trying to clear his name and smear those who had arrested him, but later in 2012 he was proven right.

Then prime minister John Key apologised to Dotcom after the release of a government report that showed the GCSB (New Zealand’s digital spy agency) had spied on him, and that the raid on his property was illegal. He slowly gained back access to frozen funds, and his prosecution was held up as New Zealand authorities demanded more evidence from the FBI if they wanted him extradited. To this day, eight years on, Dotcom remains in New Zealand fighting extradition to the USA. I would hesitate to call Dotcom a hero, as his achievements have only ever really been self-serving, but his defiance in the face of overwhelming odds and the willingness to stand up for his beliefs are traits which all Kiwis should aspire to embody. He isn’t really a narcissist either, but I tweeted him an invite to my 21st and he didn’t turn up, so I thought I’d try another avenue.

Oh, and Kim, your website (kim.com) sucks ass. Hit my line if you want it fixed up x

A very tiny, huge problem.

By: Lily Mirfin

Narcissism generally relates to physical appearances, but it can also be interpreted to mean the way one is seen by the outside world. What makes up our outward personality is a collection of physical attributes, and typically falsely constructed social appearances. It can range from the way you speak to the items you own. In New Zealand, what we study or do for a living partially constructs this outward appearance. But overseas, the importance can just as focus on where you went to university as opposed to what you studied.

Parental obsession with holding up this outward appearance culminated in the college admissions scandal, also known as Operation Varsity Blues. Cliché name, but it doesn’t discount the severity of the crimes committed. These parents committed serious crimes to get their children into top universities – children who often didn’t care about their education in the first place. I’ve known for years that parents who are overly ambitious are the bane of their children existence. They shouldn’t be allowed to flaunt their childrens’ achievements so blatantly, as if they are their own. Although these achievements may not have been possible without parental support, living vicariously through your children isn’t the way to celebrate THEIR achievements.

Fathoming the college admissions process in the United States is intense. It seems so involved, exhaustive, and generally disheartening. I can’t quite imagine how full-on this would be for not only the students involved, but for their families. To many, the right college or university is the key to a good future. Although this isn’t necessarily true, it doesn’t stop thousands of students attempting to bust their way into a top college. But for the mega rich, this isn’t a major issue. They can donate a large sum to the university upfront. But for the merely rich, as opposed to the mega rich, this presents an issue. They’re not the kind of rich that can donate a new library to the university. So, they had to find another means of getting their child into the best college possible. That’s where Operation Varsity Blues came in. Tacky name, but one of the most fascinating criminal cases in recent years. This scheme involved an elaborate series of bribes to collegiate athletic coaches and standardised test proctors. This was entirely orchestrated by one man, Rick Singer, who is now awaiting trial for the crimes he is accused of. It was successful and resulted in the admission of unqualified candidates to top colleges and universities throughout the US. The high profile careers of those involved may never be able to fully recover. The parents are the ones that are arguably more guilty than their children are. But, the more I read about this investigation the more I wondered why parents would involve their children in such an illegal operation.

“I do want the experience of game days and partying; I don’t really care about school.” Influencer and beneficiary of the college bribery scam, Olivia Jade Giannulli, showcases the pinnacle of narcissism in our current generation. She discounts the top-tier education she is undeserving of, whilst flaunting her wealth online. Her input in the college admissions scandal isn’t fully known, but judging from court documents she had some awareness of her parent’s illegal behaviour. But one could also argue that she was more of an unwilling participant in this scheme. Irregardless of whether she was an active participant or not, she was undoubtedly guilty of depicting a spoiled image. I believe that the narcissism displayed by her parents was even greater than that displayed by her. Her parents, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli and sitcom actress Lori Laughlin, blatantly disregarded all morals to bribe their children into USC. Children that didn’t care about going, didn’t want it for themselves, and likely wouldn’t have been able to get in even if they had wanted to. They continually pleaded not guilty until later accepting a plea deal of a reduced prison sentence. The careers of their children are the real price that will be paid. After the prison sentence is finished, and the legal bills are paid, where will her two daughters be left? Olivia Jade was dropped by all of her major sponsors, and she was vilified on social media. Her eldest daughter hadn’t even begun her career yet. How could parents care about their public image so much, that they inadvertently destroyed the young adult lives of their children.

If you really cared about your children, wouldn’t you let them do what they wanted to do? Why would you break laws to secure them some sort of security that they clearly never craved? Keeping up appearances is a toxic cycle. But attempting to make you or your family seem better than they are in reality is a deliberate choice. Just don’t let it catch up with you.

By: Srichti Mukherjee

COLOUMNS

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT A COLUMN PIECE, EMAIL YOUR IDEA TO EDITOR@CANTA.ORG.NZ

Dept of Spiritual Engineering.

Rev. Spanky Moore

Every Thursday about 50 students come over to my place for dinner. They’re part of a group I run that meets every week to explore questions for vocation, emotional health, and spirituality. And so, every Thursday we stuff six slow cookers with curry, and turn on our four huge rice cookers.

One of my favourite times of the week are the Friday mornings after. I empty the four kilograms of leftover gloopy rice into a big bucket, and then spoon this huge mountain of carbs onto a plastic tray I’ve nailed to a fence post outside our lounge window. Then the spectacle begins! As over 100 Silver Eyes, Sparrows, Black Birds and Starlings begin the gigantean task of devouring it – it normally takes them about 15 hours.

You see, I find these dark, winter Christchurch months pretty hard some days. But those birds always fill me with such joy. Summer birds wouldn’t give a crap about that pile of rice. But winter birds are filled with gratitude. Richard Evans famously wrote “It is often in the darkest skies that we see the brightest stars.” And watching those birds gorge themselves reminds me that winter ain’t all bad.

Soon enough the new life of spring will burst through the cold earth. Trees will grow leaves again – like they do every year. And hope is about being able to see that there is light despite all of the dark seasons that we are going through.

I love the way that one of New Zealand's most famous poets, James K Baxter, puts it well:

“Divine, Holy Spirit, You are the kind fire who does not cease to burn, Consuming us with flames of love and peace, Driving us out like sparks to set the world on fire.”

So as winter comes to end, may you hold onto the hope of spring. Because sometimes we all need a friend to help us recognise the light, when the darkness feels overwhelming – be they feathered or otherwise.

The Gay Agenda

Kia Ora! QCanterbury President here. What’s QCanterbury, you ask? Well, we’re the queer-friendly club on campus! If you fit any letter of the LGBTQIA+, we are the club for you (allies also welcome!). We run a variety of social events throughout the year, and this year we even set up a little buddy system to match people with a new friend for those who wanted it.

If we sound like the kind of club you’d love to join (and were maybe a little too afraid to approach the rainbow table on club’s day) you can do so whenever you’re ready, and it’s entirely free to join. We have a variety of social media to follow us on to keep up with what’s happening:

https://www.facebook.com/qcanterbury/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/426944924127793/ https://www.instagram.com/qcanterbury/ https://qcanterbury.wordpress.com

You can sign up online at https://tinyurl.com/qc-signups-2020 or scan the QR code below

If you find you’re struggling with anything rainbow related on campus, we do have an awesome rainbow coordinator you can get in contact with named Ari. They are absolutely wonderful and would be happy to help you where they can. You can reach them at ari.nicholson@canterbury.ac.nz and find them in the disability services area in the Forestry Building.

A big thank you to Sam for giving us this space, we’ve got some really great ideas to share in future editions of Canta, so keep an eye on this space next time!

- Emily Syme

Life in the wake of fragility Life in the wake of fragility

By Sriparna Saha, UC PGSA

It has been two weeks since term started and the Uni is bustling with life. Looking at the situation elsewhere in the world, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, one cannot be more grateful. To be able to enjoy the little joys of taking a walk in the park with friends and family, and the flexibility of meeting friends for coffee is indeed a luxury.

If we come to think of it, the seven weeks that we spent in lockdown does feel surreal to an extent, as if it never really happened. Post-lockdown, while we are living at Level 1, there is a newfound awareness for the need of resilience – a realisation that has emerged from a shared experience of the kind where the only certainty is uncertainty.

Widespread crisis situations have the potential to bring forth clarity and offer lessons that cannot be otherwise learnt. Resilience, often discussed in the context of social situations, is described as an “ability to bounce, grow and connect”. Keeping up with that, the idea of resilience is also gaining traction in the field of education. Of all the skills that students learn in the course of their education, resilience is the one that actually prepares them for the unforeseen-whatever that might be. Universities, in fact, are beginning to grant the idea its due recognition, and more insight is being turned towards designing resilient learning experiences.

While all of this sounds grand, what exactly does this mean for us, the student community? How do we begin this journey towards resilience, even as we are dealing with things (read LIFE) that we have absolutely no control on!

Someone once said to me that “grad school is a lifestyle”. To be honest, it made me think whether this way of life is meant to be troubled? Or do we actually have any agency in making this journey, one that is meaningful and valuable. Student life at the university can be challenging which makes the concept of resilience, of well-being, all the more important.

It is heartening to see numerous well-being initiatives being supported by the University. For instance, earlier in May, UC PGSA put together a panel discussion with speakers from various bodies like The Postgraduate Research Office, Academic Skills Centre, Student Care etc. Even at the personal level there are always people around, to listen, and reach out to. Of utmost importance is building our own safe space, our bubble of people we can always reach out to.

As Neil Gaiman writes, “Hearts may break, but hearts are the toughest of muscles, able to pump for a lifetime, seventy times a minute, and scarcely falter along the way” and thus the power of simple connections is profound in building up resilience.

resilience +5

COVID-19

by Ella Somers

If We Were Villains:

If you prefer dark academia over light academia, say hello to If We Were Villains because it’s The Secret History’s moodier, darker, older sibling. This is the perfect read I’d recommend reading around midterms and finals when everything takes on a slight tinge of lunacy and you feel like you’re going to be trapped in assignment and exam hell forever. What’s it about? Well, if you've ever wanted to run away and join a viciously competitive arts college where acting students only study Shakespeare and who are the embodiment of narcissism, you might be intrigued by this book. If you’re also into reading about seriously weird shit goes down, lots of obsession and a gristly unsolved murder, If We Were Villains might be the book for you.

Breaking Bad:

Sometimes the stars align and what I’m currently obsessed with watching perfectly lines up with the theme of the latest Canta issue. I spent my Uni break, and the first couple of weeks back at Uni, working through all five seasons (and terrible movie, I said what I said) of Breaking Bad and I regret nothing. Breaking Bad follows Walter White as he goes from a struggling high school chemistry teacher to meth-making genius, with an ego to match. When Walt finds out he has terminal lung cancer and only has months to live before leaving his family with mountains of debt, he turns to making meth to build up a cash stash he can leave behind for his family. Getting Jesse Pinkman – former student and local drug dealer – to sell his product for him, Walt’s meth ends up being so popular that he captures both the attention of other drug cartels and law enforcement, and chaos ensures. Watching Walt go from a “nice guy” to a narcissistic villain that sees himself as the god of meth is absolutely fascinating to watch. All five seasons of Breaking Bad have enough tension in them to rival exam season at UC and I would highly recommend.

The Secret History:

the sound of If We Were Villains sounds too dark, moody, and murderous for your tastes. The

dreamier and not AS creepy and intense as If We Were Villains is while still being really good. So, group of narcissistic college students and a murder – would it be an Ella book recommendawanted to go anywhere near a competitive creepy drama school, but if studying Greek under a mysterious and eccentric professor and even more mysterious and eccentric students sounds right up your street, then this is the book for you. Certain parts the book wanders off in a tangent, but it always gets to the good part eventually. Loved the audiobook and if you have a 22-hour car ride ahead of you, get this out on the library card, stat.

EFleabag:

I feel like I'm either going to get total agreement on this or every single Fleabag fan out there is going to come and yell at me for how wrong I am and throat punch me for good measure. But in my honest opinion, Fleabag is a MASTERCLASS in narcissism. It feels wrong to try and describe what Fleabag is about – partly because how the hell do you sum up Fleabag and also, how the hell do you not know what Fleabag is about? But, if you live under an actual rock and have never heard of the show, it follows Fleabag, a twenty-something cafe

best friend. Fleabag deals with this grief in a really healthy way by slowly watching the rest of her life destruct, frequently fanning the flames herself. Throw in breaking the fourth wall, an evil stepmother, the odd ever watched in my life, and I've only scraped the tip of the iceberg of Fleabag's first season. And if you think that sounds like a wild ride, you won't believe where the second season goes.

Alex Searle

“Can you grab me a beer”

-Will brag about his lack of uni contact hours

-Casual Alcoholism

-Fourth year at mono

-Brand hoe

Josh Watson

“No you hang up xxx”

-Loses everything

-Constantly simping for his girlfriend

-Vape gang 4 lyfe

-A poet and he goddamn knows it

THE OLDEST THE OLDEST

Concept 1 : Halftone Flavours

Vodka, Strawberry Mint & Soda

dka,Strawberryand

inSoda Water

SIBLINGS The Sauce /

The Sauce /

Sauce

The Sauce /

Esther

“Wow look at those rocks”

-Engineer, never here

-Never knows what's going on (no one tells me)

-Goes to bed at 9:30pm on weekdays

-Slaps goon like there's no tomorrow on weekends

“DiD

- Has more cameras than emotions

- Has an extensive fruit earring collection - Plant mom

One Side

I was so pumped for my blind date! I had finally been picked!!!!!!! About fuckin time. I am the no. 1 Lucky Dip fan! I was so prepared to give CANTA the happily-ever-after story they so badly needed. I spruced myself up as much as was humanly possible, put on my best cologne — okay my only cologne — and wandered down to Sal’s Pizza. I reminded myself everything I needed to do on the date, be attentive, listen, be charming, and funny. I am all of those things so I was ready. When I arrived she was already there and was looking fiiiiiine. Curly blond hair, deep blue eyes, rosy red lips… damn it was as if Liam from CANTA had crawled into my head and knew exactly what I was looking for. Much to my relief she had only just arrived, I don’t like to leave a lady waiting. I gave her a polite hug, and informed her that she actually smelled really good. But not in like a creepy way, I didn’t give her a big sniff or something. She found it funny and giggled, and informed me I smelled good too. Yus! My one cologne hadn’t let me down! So anyway, we sat down and started exchanging the usual information like what we studied, and what iconic Ilam street

The Other Side

Okay, actually quite shocked I got picked for this, but here I am writing about my Lucky Dip. After spending more time than was necessary choosing an outfit, and having a quite drink to calm the nerves, I rushed off to my date. I arrived and sat down, waiting patiently. Only a few moments later a cute guy walked in, checkered shirt, combed back hair, it was obvious he was to be my date. We had that awkward obligatory hug moment and the first thing he observed was that I smelled nice. Granted I probably did, but all women smell nice compared to men and their Lynx Africa, right?? Chat started out pretty typical, about our studies and general UC student topics. We discovered we had some friends in common, and I’m pretty sure I had actually been at a party at his flat. But if I was thinking of the right party, it was one where I made a complete mess of the bathroom by vomiting everywhere. So I decided to not bring that up. But since you’re inevitably going to read this, sorry if that was your flat party dude. The chat was actually pretty good, and he was super polite. He was the master of eye-contact, maybe too much eye-contact, but I think he was just trying to be polite. We shared a massive

we lived on etc. Turns out we had some mutual friends and had similar-ish social circles, so it was a shame I hadn’t bumped into her earlier. I felt like conversation was just flowing really naturally, and we chowed down on a massive fucking pizza together, which personally, I thought was the height of romance. Once we had a few drinks in us we started to get a bit sillier, and started showing each other of various talents. Which included her ability to move each eye individually, moon walk, and me showing off the many positives of being double jointed. Everyone else in the restaurant must’ve thought we were really fucking strange as we absolutely howled with laughter. We were also getting dirty looks from the staff so we determined it was time to leave. We both concluded we could do with another drink, so went to a bar down the road for another. After that the date unfortunately ended just with a hug. I’m lowkey gonna slip into her DMs though, because I’d be keen on another date. So, wish me luck!

pizza, and he was very accommodating of my vegetarian diet, which I appreciated. As the drinks flowed we started doing some stupid shit. I showed off my incredible talent for moon walking, and he was double jointed, so could bend his limbs in many gross, disgusting ways. It. Was. Hilarious. I think we were making a bit too much noise because everyone was shooting us nasty looks. I wanted to continue drinking, so I suggested we go get another drink somewhere else. There was a bar just down the road where we had another drink and continued yarning and even had a bit of a boogie. 10/10 for effort CANTA, I had a great night! He might be a bit too much on the cutiepie side for me but it was a hell of a lot of fun!

KEY DATE:

*27TH AUGUST*

MANIFEST WHAT YOU NEED!

LEO SEASON IS HERE! ADD SOME SPICE AND GET INTO YOUR EGO SPACE!

*REMEMBER THE FUN TIMES

FEEL FREE TO BE HAPPY THIS MONTH. FIRE NEEDS TO GAIN HEAT.

*ALLOW YOURSELF TO FEEL

ABUNDANCE IS SET FOR YOU IN THIS FIRE SEASON. LET YOUR EMOTIONAL EGO IN.

*INNER WORK CAN GET THINGS GOING

USE YOUR NEW FOUND FREEDOM AND BURN DOWN THOSE MENTAL BLOCKS.

*FIGURE OUT YOUR TRIGGERS

19)

LEO SEASON

TENDS TO LEAVE YOU A LITTLE TENSE, WHAT ARE YOUR TRIGGERS?

*DON’T OVERINDULDGE

MONTH YOU MIGHT FIND YOURSELF RELAXINGTO THE MAX. FIND A COMFY SPOT!

*KEEP YOUR SENSE ALERT

NOT ONLY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY HERE BUT SO IS A GIFT FROM THE UNIVERSE.

*DONT HOLD ONTO HISTORY

WHAT IS IT THAT YOU’RE WANTING TO LEAVE BEHIND?

*RELATIONSHIPS CAN TEACH US SOMETHING NEW

RELATIONSHIPS MIGHT BE ON YOUR MIND THIS MONTH. IS THERE SOMETHING BREWING?

*BRING YOUR CONFIDENCE

ALLOW YOUR CONFIDENTSIDE TO COME OUT AND PLAY.

*SELF-REFLECTION IS THE BEST VIEW

FIRE SEASON BRINGS A CHANCE TO REFLECT ON YOUR SPENDING HABITS.

*REST IS NEEDED FOR WORK

SOMETHING IS LEAVING YOU EXCITED! ALLOW YOURSELF THIS ONE TIME OFF!

*CHANGE IS AS GOOD AS A HOLIDAY

A ROUTINE CLICK HAS SET IN. TIME FOR A CHANGE?!

Narcissist Narcissist

*FIll me in

Enrol by 16 August to make voting quick and easy.

YOUR 2020 CANDIDATES

Hello, I am Raymond Ellwood. I am a fourth-year law student and I am running for UCSA President. I am for bringing people together and creating positive change.

ISSUES AND POLICIES:

1. $20,000.00 GRANTS

Many students struggle to gain paid internships and many students must Engineering students must obtain 800 hours of work experience in order to complete their course. I plan to deduct $20,000.00 from the President’s salary and turn it into experience grants for students who are struggling to gain paid internships. This policy is modelled after the Callaghan Innovation Experience Grants.

2. HARDSHIP GRANTS

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, I plan to implement an opt-in and one-off hardship grant for students who continue to struggle with costs pertaining to their rent and electricity, groceries, medical needs, insecurity is uncertain and by providing an opt-in donation at every UCSA managed cafe and shop, we can put extra money into a hardship grant concentrate on their studies. Students should not have to choose to live in a cold room so that they can make the rent. No student should have to make the choice to miss a fortnight’s worth of classes because they cannot afford to put their child into an early learning centre. Many students do not qualify for hardship grants and the process in applying for hardship grants can become incredibly intrusive and demoralising.

3. ADVOCACY

I plan to implement an on-campus and online legal advice centre for students. This legal advice centre will operate three times per week and for the entire academic year. This service will also provide law students with internship opportunities.

The areas of advice will include, but not limited to:

- Employment

- Tenancy

- Immigration

4. ADULT STUDENTS, POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

I plan to give our adult students, postgraduate students and international students a place within our community. These groups do feel isolated and that isolation becomes apparent when the majority of events are aimed at a much younger audience and a homegrown audience. I plan to provide social and professional networking events and spaces for our adult students, postgraduate students and international students. The postgraduate students are also adult students. A number of postgraduate students are in their twenties, but a much larger number of number of postgraduate students are also international students. Postgraduate students ensure that our learnings in every subject is always current and thought provoking. The recent anti-racism movement has demanded a need to discuss racism and to develop ways to defeat racism. I am in favour of such discussions and I feel that these discussions should be monitored by our international students, adult students, and postgraduate students as well as other interested parties. These groups will provide a lived experience and critical thought to these discussions. It will also make these groups feel that they are included within our community.

5. ETHNIC AND DISENFRANCHISED GROUPS OF PEOPLE

I am interested in exploring ways to ensure that every group within our community know that they belong here. I plan to create more panel every group of people. These engagements will happen more often and will provide an opportunity for people to form new friendships.

Some examples:

- Persons of Colour Cinema

- Potluck and Debate

6. ONLINE SUPERMARKET AND MEALS

I intend on providing students a more affordable means of doing their weekly grocery shopping.

7. SHUTTLE SERVICE AND SAFETY

I will implement a shuttle service that will get students to their homes after Mono and Tea Party. The security team will operate the shuttle service, the route will include the bus shelter on Riccarton Road.

VOTE RAYMOND ELLWOOD FOR UCSA PRESIDENT FROM 12 AUGUST TO 14 AUGUST. CHECK YOUR STUDENT EMAIL.

Connect with me:

Facebook: Raymond Ellwood

Facebook Page: Raymond Ellwood for UCSA President Or use the handle @UCRaymond20

Instagram: ucraymond20

Website: https://trellwood.wixsite.com/ellwood

YouTube: UCRaymond20

RAYMOND ELLWOOD FOR PRESIDENT

your UCSA pres in 2021. In 2020, I’ve learnt so much about the UCSA and how it works from my general exec role, and in 2021 I’m so keen to use that knowledge to create a UCSA for you.

I’m currently studying for a Bachelor of Science Honours in Chemistry. I come from Papakura in Auckland, where I’ve been involved in representing young people since 2014. In my free time I love a good ski, an outdoor adventure, looking after my plants and of course a cheeky bevvy with the

WHY AM I RUNNING?

and the students it’s meant to serve are increasingly distant from each other. A lot of people I know don’t really know what the UCSA does, or why they should care about it. If they do know what it does, they don’t feel like it serves them well. We want to change this. I’m running with Nico Maguire, and together we want to create a UCSA for you - a UCSA that listens, is transparent in its actions, accountable to students and holds UC strongly accountable on the university boards it sits on.

We’ll make sure the UCSA is still epic - with great events, free food at Re Ori, incredible mono line ups and a thriving clubs scene. We’ll just do all this whilst being open with you about what we’re up to, what we’re advocating for and we’ll have your backs all the way.

HERE’S HOW IT WILL WORK:

OUR POLICIES:

Transparency

The current UCSA isn’t transparent enough, so students don’t know what they’re up to or when they’re being advocated for. Here’s how we’ll change

their roles, instead of being prohibited from doing so

ADVOCACY

At the moment, it’s hard to know when the UCSA is listening to students, or even how it’s gathering feedback to take to UC. Here’s what we’ll do:

- We’ll listen to students through the newly established online student feedback platform and through other channels, using your voices to hold UC strongly accountable in the meetings we attend

- 89% of NZ students want a universal student allowance - we want to work with and support the NZUSA to make this happen

- A week of bus fares to and from uni can cost around $40 with a metrocard. In other cities students get a student discount. We want to work with the relevant transport board to get you free or discounted buses.

- We will continue to advocate for Echo360 course recordings across all courses

KEEPING IT FUN

We know we’re standing on a platform that sounds like we’ll be making lots of changes around here, but we promise the UCSA will still put on amazing events and a place for you to belong.

- Mono will keep being great, with a variety of awesome acts from across NZ (and international, depending on COVID!)

- In O week we will run great events, with tons of free food, connection, and activation of Haere-roa

- We want to open a sushi restaurant in the Shilling Club space, to keep the food options on campus exciting

If this sounds like a bit of you, check out our facebook event at: shorturl.at/ ghxyD

KIM FOWLER FOR PRESIDENT

MAKING STUDENTS’ HEARD

your support, I am running to be your President in 2021. Alongside Maddy Craig as my Vice President, we have a strong vision for the UCSA. That is: bringing the student voice back to the heart of everything the UCSA does as a governing body. I want to provide leadership at the UCSA that is ambitious for the UCSA’s members in a way that delivers for your concerns, your wants and your needs. I look to bring leadership that carries with it a dedication to building the strongest student culture of any New Zealand University.

I have loved my time at UC, I have made lifelong friends and have been given great opportunities at a University I love. Personally I enjoy a beer with mates at the foundry or a round of golf with the boys on the weekend. be, but I also believe that the UCSA can make it better. This starts with leadership and an attitude which asks ‘how can we achieve something for our students’ rather than explaining ‘why we can’t’.

I will bring an optimistic approach with the intention to deliver for every student here on the wide range of issues that matter to them. I want to bring the UCSA more in touch with our members and make students feel heard. It is because of these reasons that I am running as President.

POLICY:

WE WILL BETTER CHAMPION STUDENT’S VOICE THROUGH CLEAR AND AMBITIOUS POLICIES:

POLICY 1: NZUSA MEMBERSHIP

We will support an open and strong discussion with our student base on re-entry the New Zealand Union of Students Association. The NZUSA is

a strong tool in championing our student’s voice at a National level with powerful decision-makers. Many Universities who were members of the Union received a grade bump because of COVID. We believe the NZUSA is another tool in achieving the best outcomes when championing the issues most important to our students at a national level.

POLICY 2: STRONGER STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

We will introduce our Student Voice Portal to consult with our student base on the issues that matter to them. Students deserve to be better spoken and consulted with by the UCSA. We will bring the student voice back to this decision-making process. We will better utilise the power of data technology to engage and gauge our student base on proposed policies, especially on key issues. This will allow a UCSA which is better at championing the student voice in everything we do. (Student Voice Portal)

POLICY 3: QUALITY OF EVENTS

The COVID pandemic has presented a strong opportunity to bring major NZ artists who can no longer travel internationally. We will assess the way in which the UCSA spends its money on current events and provide leadership that is more ambitious in improving these events in the years to come.

In the end, I think that this election is a big question of leadership. In 2020 students have an opportunity to bring a fresh set of eyes to their student’s association. I have great respect for those who have served in the UCSA but I think now is an outstanding time for a fresh pair of eyes, a fresh perspective and ambitious leadership which brings the UCSA back as a stronger decision-maker, and more responsive to what its students really want. It is the UCSA who is accountable to its students. I want to lead a UCSA which speaks with our students on the issues that matter, not at our students. That is the leadership and approach I will bring in 2021. ThankYou very much.

BILLY HANSEN FOR PRESIDENT

Kia ora koutou! My name is George and this year I am running to be your UCSA President in 2021.

Having started my studies at UC back in 2014 (after moving from the metropolis of Ngatea) you could say I am as close to being a local as it gets. After completing my degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2017 I decided that I was not done with university yet and stuck around to start my PhD.

My PhD project focuses on understanding the upper body strength of people with tetraplegia. Its aim is to better understand the upper body strength of people with tetraplegia to ensure designers are able to make effective devices for people with reduced motor function.

This year I have been soaking up the experience of being the Post Graduate (PG) Rep on the executive of the UCSA. Understanding how the UCSA works has been an experience I thoroughly enjoyed. I have learned a lot from the role, especially from the students in the PG Advisory Group. Together we have been able to make effective progress identifying and raising PG issues in various committees that I sit on. We are also proud to have produced a PG Starter Pack that is jam packed with awesome information about the perks the UCSA and UC offer that new students are not typically aware of. Our next focus (which is a work in progress) is to initiate a formal PG communication network similar to the class rep system for undergraduate students. The department and the UCSA.

This year I am running alongside Georgie Dibble, partly because she has a similar name to me and partly because she has shown a great skill set being on the UCSA exec this year as the Equity and Wellbeing Student Representative.

Together, our plan is to “Hit 2021 Running.” We believe that the exec has made good progress in a number of areas this year and this is something that we want to continue to improve on in 2021 (a bit of kaizen if you will).

A brief summary of the policies that we are running on are as follows

QUALITY ECHO 360 RECORDINGS

“Ensuring the standard of echo recordings are optimised for online learning.”

In a world still facing COVID-19, online learning may become a staple in the student diet. As online learning and the use of Echo recordings becomes more prevalent it is essential that lecturers are facilitated with the equipment, training and support they need to produce effective, high quality online content.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SUPPORT

This policy is about ensuring that International Students, and those studying from abroad, are still able to maximise their study experience and have access to the resources they need to get the most out of their studies.

POSTGRAD COMMUNICATION CHANNELS

As mentioned earlier, undergraduate students have class reps to ensure that they have a system where they can voice their concerns. Unfortunately, the number and quality of PG reps is inconsistent across different colleges and departments. This policy is about improving the communication channels between PG students, the department and the UCSA.

During my time at university, I have always strived to get the best university experience possible. I have been involved with a variety of university clubs including a handful of roles with UC Hockey, Engineers without Borders, the PGSA and the UC Brewing Club. The eclectic mix of clubs we have at UC is one of the many things that sets us apart from other universities.

If you would like to know a bit more about me, my hobbies include sports (mainly drawing animals on Strava), tramping (more recently forgetting to wake up for the tramp), photography (see the photo above), music (mainly mono) and travel (but only around NZ for now..).

With seven years of university culture under my belt, I believe I am in a good position add value to the UCSA. The position of President on the UCSA will enable me to lead the 2021 executive to ensure all student voices are heard and represented.

Thanks for taking the time to read this :)

VOTE STILWELL.DIBBLE 2021

GEORGE STILWELL

FOR PRESIDENT

Making Students’ Heard

My name is Maddy Craig and I am running for the position of Vice President alongside Billy Hansen as President in 2021.

and have absolutely loved my time at UC. I think the student collective is unlike any other University. UC has a unique balance programs that encourage educational development as well as a strong presence of student engagement with events and social clubs on campus. Yes, we have our Monos, and our Tea Parties, and O week, but we also have a huge range of competitions and international opportunities that can actually prepare us for working life.

However, I also think there is huge potential for these opportunities to be more accessible to the student body. UC has a huge network of initiative and programs that are available to students but are inaccessible to most. That is why I am running for UCSA.

While I think the past executive has done an outstanding job, I think there is an increasing

GEORGIE DIBBLE

VICE-PRESIDENT

disconnect from most of the student body with the UCSA. The student voice is underrepresented,

foremost priority if we are elected to be your representatives.

As your future executive we would respect the responsibility we have to serve the needs of the student body. Billy and I and standing on the platform to increase transparency with the activities of the UCSA and to advocate for

as membership of the New Zealand Union of Students Association. We also hope to create a more accessible platform for student to voice opinions and ideas on things that the USCA can improve. We will centre our leadership around what the Students are demanding and make it as easy and open as possible to for this voice to be heard. Whether it is better events, grade scaling, or more resources for career development, we want to make that happen for you and make UC the best University in the country to be a student.

See you all soon!

FOR VICE-PRESIDENT

Kia ora koutou! My name is Georgie and I’m running to be your 2021 Vice President, alongside George for President. Pretty good coincidence about our names, right?

UCSA is privileged to represent students largely on the academic front. Given that academics is one of the main reasons we come to uni (if not the biggest!), I’d love the opportunity to get to bat for you in this space. George and I have some key initiatives we would be acting to implement here:

- Quality Echo 360 Recordings

- International Student Support

- Postgraduate Student Communication Channels

(Check out our Facebook page for more details on these!!)

Both George and I were fortunate enough to sit on the UCSA exec in 2020, hence we’ve been able to fully grasp what the job is all about. I’ve

getting to sit on University Committees and give the student perspective into any given scenario. Hence it is super important that you vote for

people who you think you can relate to and will represent you well. By being on the exec this year, this would enable us to hit the ground running even faster (check out our slogan ;)), making sure that we can maximise our impact that much each year, having this source of continuity is of

So, if I haven’t managed to snag your vote yet from our policies - here’s a bit of a blurb about me as a person to help you in your decision process. I’m currently a third-year commerce student (and I’ll be back for post-grad next year!). I’m a big advocate of making the most of our time at university, whether that be joining lots of clubs and going to their events or simply introducing yourself to someone new in one of your tutorials.

In general, I’m really passionate about being on this exec because I want all students to have the absolute best possible experience here at uni. Thank you for reading all the way to the end xoxo

VOTE STILWELL.DIBBLE 2021

Kia ora koutou! My name is Nico Maguire and I am running to be your UCSA Vice President in 2021

Political Science student at UC. In my spare time I the middle of the mosh at a doof (unfortunately my height makes me pretty easy to spot). Though I enjoy many UCSA social events, I’ve become increasingly frustrated at how distant the UCSA seems from the students. The UCSA is meant to be an organisation which represents the voice of the students — both by allocating money towards the things we want and advocating for how we feel. Somehow, over time, both of these ideals have been lost.

WHAT WE WANT?

Despite a substantial operating budget, it is clear that many students feel like they’re not getting their money’s worth from the UCSA. A vague speak openly about decision making makes it hard to understand and question UCSA spending.

HOW WE FEEL?

It is clear that many students have the perception that their voices aren’t being heard by the UCSA. There are two main reasons for this - the UCSA doesn’t tend to speak for students when what they want goes against the interests of the

University, and the UCSA doesn’t have enough feedback mechanisms in place to understand student opinion.

SO WHAT CAN WE DO?

If elected, Kim and I promise to change that. We still want to improve on all the things we love about the UCSA — the free food, sick events, and awesome clubs. We want to open a sushi restaurant where the Shilling Club used to be, and work with the council to bring reduced/free bus fares to students. However, we think that the UCSA can do better, but only if the students have a clearer idea of how it is run and a stronger say in its operation.

KIM AND I WILL ENSURE THAT:

- There is a clear and detailed breakdown of UCSA spending accessible to students,

- The Exec are able to speak more openly about their role (even when it may be negative),

- The UCSA advocates for exactly what you care about. com

VOTE FOWLER/MAGUIRE, VOTE FOR A UCSA FOR YOU

LEO HE FOR FINANCE & ENGAGEMENT OFFICER

My name is Leo He; I’m currently a second year studying towards a double major in sociology and philosophy. My main focus for this campaign will focus on primarily bilateral communication and democratisation of UCSA. This means by voting for me in the elections; I will open up more communication channel such as more chances to meet the execs in social events but also create a process to voice their advocacy such as oping up space for student inquiries and the ability to form petitions furthering the democratic process.

I will also open up an inquiry to the student levy, which in the past have been criticised being too

much; with some digging, this seems to be the case. According to UC’s “UC Student Services Levy Allocations for 2020 sheet,” out of the $11M from student levy; around $3M (27%) left goes to the Student Space Capital fund while I do believe we need a reserve fund, do we really need $3M to go into it and what with the UCSA having a 500K surplus?

transparency of the UCSA and the student levy, and increase bilateral communications.

RHYS McAULIFFE

FOR FINANCE & ENGAGEMENT OFFICER

The student levy must go down! My name is Rhys McAuliffe, and I am dedicating my campaign for costs for students by cutting wasteful UCSA spending at all levels and lobbying UC for fairer prices everywhere–especially parking. I will bring

ensuring that your money isn’t going to waste. I describe myself as a glass half empty kind of guy, I’m not running for this position to say what the UCSA has done right, I’m running to say what

That is why I have decided to run this year; I believe the student levy is unacceptably high, and thus cost reduction will be at the heart of every decision I make. I’m not happy with the current $870 full-time levy, and I do not feel like we’re getting a fair deal.

In a post-COVID NZ many more of us students will feel the sting of the levy next year. I believe

as much of it as possible. The cost of that levy has meant the difference between quality food, heating or internet this year for many students.

HENRY WYNN-WILLIAMS FOR FINANCE & ENGAGEMENT OFFICER

My name is Henry Wynn-Williams and I’m a 4th year LLB/BA student.

Too many people run for UCSA with big ideas of what THEY want to do. Whilst I am running on three core policies, I am not pretending to have all the answers.

The UCSA executive works for students, not the other way round. If I am successful, I will work to listen to the concerns of all students. The issues I want to work on if elected are:

1. UCSA joining NZUSA - Since 1929 the NZUSA have advocated and lobbied the government on behalf of university students. If I were elected onto the UCSA exec I would strongly advocate for us to join NZUSA. If the UCSA were to join NZUSA it would give student issues.

2. Holding the university accountable to its students to study here and the university has not always respected this in its treatment of its students. There have been several incidents in the last few years where the university has made decisions that have seriously hindered the welfare of students:

By applying common sense, cost reduction for students becomes quite easy really. How can we justify spending $100,000+ on exec salaries and hundreds of thousands more on administration when students are losing their jobs and making that claims to spend the levy only for the paid function? How can the UCSA be complicit in raising the cost of the annual parking fee to

fact that spending this year has decreased due to COVID-19? We’re paying enough as it is—this election you need to vote for your wallet.

While I am a cost-focused candidate, I’m also committed to making sure this campus values and respects diversity of thought and freedom of speech. I’m not running to make friends; I’m not running to push ideology; I’m running to lower that students have in their UCSA.

VOTE RHYS FOR A LOWER LEVY, AND A FAIRER DEAL!

1. Lack of pastoral care – This was recognised by the independent report on a student’s death in a halls of residence last year.

2. Lack of mental health services – Our mental health system in Canterbury is already underfunded and students deserve better, especially because of poor mental health in the Canterbury region.

3. Disability resources - Better resources for those who are now lacking due to funding cuts.

4. The decision to move the Law Department to Karl Popper.

3. Promoting diversity of thought - Canterbury of University has done well to encourage diversity in regards to race, cultures, religion, gender, sexual orientation and ethnicity. While these are all extremely important, I believe that there has not been enough discussion over the importance of diversity of thought. Too often people are attacked or ridiculed for voicing their own opinions and it is creating a toxic environment at the university. Our campus has become too tribal and politicised.

When I am not studying I work two jobs at Briscoes Papanui and Community Law Canterbury. When I am not working I enjoy hanging out with friends and playing tennis.

THANKS EVERYONE! VOTE HENRY!

VIK PRABHU ALSO RUNNING

FOR FINANCE & ENGAGEMENT OFFICER

AND FOR INTERNATIONAL REP

MATT WONG-KAM

COVID has affected all uni students but our international students have been disproportionately affected. Students are isolated overseas, unable to be part of campus culture and classes.

Additionally, hundreds of students are stuck in New Zealand not knowing when they can return home. International students have always been an important part of campus culture, so we need to push for support that ensures these students do not feel isolated.

FOR INTERNATIONAL REP

groups, sponsors, and partners. As this year’s VicePresident and Treasurer, I also assisted the SVA’s COVID-19 response. I’ve found these events incredibly rewarding and found they attract a diverse range of students both domestic and international.

I’ve had the opportunity to hear the problems of these students and this motivated me to run for the UCSA.

I believe my experiences will enable me to succeed in the International Rep role. I want to ensure international students have greater support and a strong voice, especially in a post COVID New Zealand.

the Student Volunteer Army Executive. I’ve been involved in planning events like Big Give, worked with community

WWW.JAMPAIGN2021.COM

BEA HOLMAN FOR POSTGRADUTE REP

Well hello!! I’m Bea Holman, a 5th year LLB/BA student and I will be starting my masters next year.

I’m running for the UCSA exec as over the past 5 years I have been able to develop a thorough understanding of UC and the students. I would love the opportunity to use my voice and represent you to ensure your university experience is as positive as it can be. I’m drawn to the postgraduate role as while I have not yet commenced my masters, I understand the commitment postgraduate students make to their studies. I am wanting to advocate for you so you can continue to follow your passion while having a reliable representative to voice your opinions and concerns.

I am running on a platform of connection, in my view this takes three forms, ensuring postgrad students are connected to the support and resources they need, especially given the impacts of Covid-19. Maintaining the work done towards connecting postgrad students to health and wellness services, as an avid yogi I understand the effect of physical health on mental wellbeing. Lastly, creating clear pathways to connect undergraduate students to postgraduate options.

SO FOLKS, STAY CONNECTED, VOTE BEA!

KARL MENDOZA FOR POSTGRADUTE REP

Kia ora koutou,

My name is Karl Mendoza and I want to be your next Postgraduate Representative. I am a second-year Ph.D. student in Media and Communication and the 2019 recipient of the UC Doctoral Scholarship for Disabled Students. Yes, I am a person with disability, diagnosed at age 7 with ADHD but that did not in any way hinder me from living a happy and productive life. Born and raised in Bulacan, Philippines, I went to the nation’s capital, Manila, about 10 years ago, to pursue my bachelor’s and master’s degrees where I eventually found myself working as a college lecturer. I came to New Zealand last year to pursue my dream of obtaining a doctorate from a prestigious university.

I am running for the position of Postgraduate Representative because I want to spearhead the promotion of the welfare and interests of postgraduates by helping craft relevant initiatives for them and representing their voice in key stakeholder meetings in the university. In 2023, UC will celebrate its 150th anniversary. Postgraduates have mattered in the past and they must continue to do so in the next 100 years and beyond. Join me in this movement of making postgraduates matter.

#POSTGRADSMATTER

JESS MACDONALD EMMA PICKUP

Kia ora koutou!

I’m Jess Macdonald, a 4th year LLB & BSc student running for the ‘Equity and Wellbeing’ position on the UCSA. Throughout my years here, I have made a real effort to get involved in our community in a variety of capacities, such as halls, clubs and volunteering. In my experience, I have realised the inherent inequity in our very own campus. This can stem from many things- the complicated power dynamic between staff and student, differing levels of a few. With the UCSA having a powerful advocacy position alongside UC, we need to increase the acknowledgement

Kia Ora you beautiful thing,

My name is Emma Pickup and it would be a dream come true to be your USCA Equity and Wellbeing Representative for 2021.

I am currently in my second year of studying Chemical

to UC on a whim and it has been the best decision I have made so far. I have gained so many beautiful friends and met more inspiring people I could ever have imagined.

I know this year has been harder than we could have ever imagined with spanners being thrown in the works left, right and centre. I think we can all agree that mental

have a duty to ensure UC is as accessible and inclusive as possible so every student can reach their full potential.

This realisation has driven me to run for the UCSA. My experience in the Advocacy Welfare team, student

and a passion for advocacy- all of which will enable me to be a fearless E&W representative for you all.

FOR MY POLICIES HEAD TO WWW.JAMPAIGN2021.COM!

EQUITY & WELLBEING

REP

FOR EQUITY & WELLBEING REP FOR

health, well-being, and resilience are all topics that are more important now than ever before. My ultimate driver is helping others, which is why I want to be your Equity and wellbeing Representative for 2021. If I am elected I want to see:

through on campus events.

Increased support and removing barriers for students to support innovation for the brilliant ideas they have. Have a platform for students to be actually heard and have a say.

Take care,

Emma

student and I want to make your time at UC the best it can be. Voting for me will provide you with a reasonable voice on the executive whose highest priority is making uni a better place for you. To this end, I will push to achieve

achieve this goal, I propose to increase the amount the student led executive is given as an allowance, which currently sits at $12,000 overall per year. This also gives every student more of a say in how the student levy they pay is spent.

The money made by the association should be invested back into the student body through things like better mental health services and better Tea Party acts. To

ASHLEY GUTTERIDGE

Hey everyone, during campaigning you may have seen me around campus/lectures/halls in a T-Rex suit. Why? My friends though it would be funny.

I’m studying Chemical and Process Engineering (who would’ve guessed, another UC student doing engineering), and have also taken up roles in mentoring, leadership, events and operations. In my free time you might see me carving the slopes at Mt Hutt.

What’s the biggest factor in me deciding to campaign? Some classmates told me that I should, and they believe I will do a good job. I particularly enjoyed advocating for fairness for my cohort over lockdown, even when the

On the exec I will also push for better promotion of the mental and physical health services on campus and aim to work with the law school to provide accessible legal

FOR GENERAL EXECUTIVE

those who know me believe this determination will help me create positive change for the wider university.

When I think of issues that need working on, there’s three big ones that come to mind: Reducing insanely courses), making Echo360 universal (lecturers have had reducing assessment workloads over the breaks (these are necessary relaxation periods).

Anyway, that’s my word limit reached. If you’ve taken the time to read this far, cheers!

ASHER HERRMANN

Kia ora koutou!

I’m Asher Herrmann and I’m running for General Executive this year. I grew up in Texas and am now in my third year of an LLB/BA here at UC. Despite moving around the world, I immediately felt welcome at UC. Continuing this inclusive nature is a major reason why I’ve decided to run for the UCSA. I’ve spent the past few years involved in hall life, volunteering around Christchurch, and as Secretary of Law for Change UC.

I’d like to expand UC’s student resources to include career support throughout courses and accessible degree

FOR GENERAL EXECUTIVE

precursor to a career, and UC has a great opportunity to provide more support for students by further integrating UC Careers. Additionally, all students should have clear information about their degree requirements and should be able to plan their degree with ease.

community and have given me the skills to take action. With these skills I believe I can truly serve the students and the UCSA, and would love your vote for General Executive in 2021!

FOR MORE INFORMATION HEAD TO WWW.JAMPAIGN2021.COM!

FELIX MENDONCA FOR GENERAL EXECUTIVE

Hey guys,

general exec in the 2021 UCSA elections.

I’m a Wellington native, moving here back in 2018 to begin studying civil engineering. I have a massive passion for developing a strong University community through engagement outside of an academic setting. I have been Uni Bound, and TuneSoc.

When I’m not sleeping through 8am lectures, I spend my

time organising gigs, playing music with my band, or at

There are a few key areas I am interested in pursuing if I were to be elected on as a general executive. These include supporting the UCSA’s partnership with the of the week, and continuing to embody manaakitanga within the University’s community.

If you like the sound of these ideas and want a relatable general executive 2021.

LIAM QUINN FOR

Kia Ora

I am currently studying towards a Law degree at UC. I am asking for your vote to represent you on the UCSA’s General Executive because in light of COVID-19 I wish to promote our joining of the NZ Union of Students’ Associations and the adaptation of universally recorded lectures post COVID-19 at UC.

The NZUSA gained students voices considerable media attention which the Government reacted to by granting extra course related costs, student hardship grants and access to the income relief scheme for students impacted

GENERAL EXECUTIVE

by COVID-19. I believe having a pro-NZUSA Executive in 2021 is an important step towards uniting students towards better support in the future from the Government

Student Advisory Group member at Open Polytechnic. I wish to promote a system where Echo is fully utilised. When successful, people will be able to maximise their experience at UC. No more missing that club meeting because you have a lecture clash! Thank you for taking the time to read my pitch, a vote for me is a vote for progress, vote Liam Quinn for 2021 UCSA General Executive!

RYAN THOMSON FOR GENERAL EXECUTIVE

Kia Ora Koutou,

My name is Ryan Thomson and I study a Bachelor relations. I am excited to put my hat in the ring for the position of general executive on the UCSA. People and communities are my passion. I love getting out and about and meeting new people.

When I’m not falling behind on lectures, I like to get outdoors and hit some gigs with mates. You may also see me at a cheeky BYO every now and then.

UC has given me great opportunities so far, such as an internship at Peking University, China over the summer. This is an opportunity for me to give back.

There are many positives of studying here at UC, however, there can be more. The key areas I would focus on if elected would be - a referendum on whether or not UCSA should be a part of NZUSA, maximising the usage of the foundry all days of the week and as well as continuing to embody manaakitanga within the university’s community.

If this sounds like a bit of you, don’t hesitate to vote MENDONCA and THOMSON for General Executive 2021

ALSO RUNNING

LEWIS HOBAN

FOR GENERAL EXECUTIVE

CANDIDATE BREAKDOWN

PRESIDENT

RAYMOND ELLWOOD

BILLY HANSEN

GEORGE STILWELL

VICE-PRESIDENT

MADDY CRAIG

GEORGIE DIBBLE

NICO MAGUIRE

FINANCE & ENGAGEMENT OFFICER

LEO HE

VIK PRABHU

HENRY WYNN-WILLIAMS

INTERNATIONAL REP

VIK PRABHU

MATT WONG-KAM

POSTGRADUATE REP

BEA HOLMAN

KARL MENDOZA

EQUITY & WELLBEING REP

JESS MACDONALD

EMMA PICKUP

GENERAL EXECUTIVE

LEO HE

ASHLEY GUTTERIDGE

ASHER HERRMANN

LEWIS HOBAN

JESS MACDONALD

EMMA PICKUP

LIAM QUINN

RYAN THOMSON

MATT WONG-KAM

Whether you’re a dirty rooster or relatively chaste, you’re still likely to come in contact with HPV. Take steps to help protect yourself from genital warts and HPV-related cancers with your free* HPV immunisation.

Talk to Student Health today or visit bestshot.co.nz to find out more.

* GARDASIL® 9 is a prescription medicine, for females aged 9–45 years and males 9–26 years of age. It is a nine-valent recombinant human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. GARDASIL® 9 is indicated for 9–45 year-old females and 9–26 year-old males, for prevention of cervical, vulvar, vaginal, and anal cancer, precancerous or dysplastic lesions, genital warts or lesions, and infection caused by the HPV types in the vaccine. Each 0.5 mL dose contains the following HPV L1 Proteins by type: 6 (30 µg), 11 (40 µg), 16 (60 µg), 18 (40 µg), 31 (20 µg), 33 (20 µg), 45 (20 µg), 52 (20 µg), and 58 (20 µg). GARDASIL® 9 has risks and benefits, and should be used strictly as directed. Ask your doctor if GARDASIL® 9 is right for you. Tell your healthcare professional if you or your child have ever had an allergic reaction to any vaccine or to any of the listed ingredients for GARDASIL® 9, or if you or your child has a serious illness, blood disease, bleeding disorder, a high fever, or a weakened immune system (e.g. due to medicines, a genetic condition, or human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] infection). Common reactions are headache, fever, and injection-site pain, swelling, and redness. Fainting can occur. Allergic reactions are rare but serious. If you are worried by any side effects, see your doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare professional. Go to the nearest hospital if you experience wheezing, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing; or pinkish, itchy swellings and rash, especially on the face. Immunisation does not replace the need for regular cervical cancer screening. Additional product information and Consumer Medicine Information is available from www.medsafe.govt.nz (October 2019), and from Seqirus (NZ) Ltd, Auckland, on 0800 502 757. GARDASIL® 9 is funded for both males and females aged 9–26 years – normal charges will apply for other patients. Copyright © 2019 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA. All Rights Reserved. NZ/GAR9/0120/0073a TAPS NA12097 INSIGHT 10219B.