ISSUE NUMBER SIX NATIONAL AVERSION SCARFIE ARMY SPORTS BALL LETTERS OPSA NOTICES & MORE
GYRO Editor Contents
Dave Strydom.
FACT Straight up facts. ›pg 4
NATIONAL AVERSION Budgets effect on students. ›pg 6-7
SCARFIE ARMY MOBILIZED Student volunteers in full force. ›pg 8-9
MUSIC COLUMN Reviews of live music in Dunedin ›pg 10
SPORTS BALL Local sports with balls. ›pg 11
DUNEDIN EVENT GUIDE Your guide to local gigs & events. ›pg 12
In this issue we cover the recent government budget and it’s effect on students. I attended the Post-Budget forum host by OUSA where representatives from parties on campus took turns to speak on the budget. Some reps made great points while other only touched the issues highlighted by the TV media. This drove us to focus on the budget this issue with a lengthy piece to give you an idea of what the budget means to students. We have some information on the Scarfie Army student volunteer organisation including an interview with coordinator Darlene. Our sports column looks at the recent Otago Nuggets success while Stacey reviews the Nadia Ried & Ivy gig at
Published by
Chicks Hotel.
OPSA. Copyright (C) OPSA 2012. A member of ASPA.
Set in
I would like to thank everyone who wrote in this
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week. Please do continue to send us a letters. If you
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brief - under 100 words and we’ll add them to the
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would like to have the letter published keep them letters page.
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Editor
It seems that there is no end insight for the erosion on our coastline. With the paved brickwork at the
Dave Strydom. gyro@opsa.org.nz
Esplanade the latest victim. Early estimates put the
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an eye out in our next issue as we ask some questions.
Mark Baxter. mark.baxter@op.ac.nz
repair job cost in the hundreds and thousands. Keep
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Lastly, snow. Winter is here.
Dave Strydom. @designdavenz
So keep warm and stay out of trouble!
Word Stacey ambell
Till next time, Adios!
Gyro Magazine reserves the right to edit all content for reasons of style and clarity.
OPSA President Rebecca Swindells.
Last week I was invited to be a speaker at the PostBudget forum being held by OUSA, more than 30 students attended this forum. At this forum we heard from the OUSA President, the Te Roopu Maori President and representatives from Act of campus, Young National, Young Labour, the Mana Party, the Green Party. At this forum we discussed how the budget changes were going to affect student on campus, these are what some of the representatives thought about the recent budget announcements and the budget;
“It is short-sighted and unsustainable” – Young Green’s
“We’ve got an idiot in charge” – Mana Party “There will be decent investment elsewhere” – Young National
“This budget is SAFE” – Te Roopu Maori Although there are some large negative changes for students in the budget, the government also announced that there will be a Housing Warrant of Fitness (WoF) trial conducted on Housing New Zealand houses, it is my hope that this Housing Warrant of Fitness will in time, be extended to include Student Flats and rental accomdation. If you have any questions about the budget announcements, or if your over 40 and eligible for Student Allowance and are wondering what this means to you or want to share your story please feel free to come up to my office and see me, or email me on OPSA.Presidents@op.ac.nz. Rebecca Swindells OPSA President 2013 Signing off
OPSA NOTICES email gyro@opsa.org.nz FREE FLU JAB.
SJS GIVE AWAY!
If you’ve paid your Student Health Levy (part of most students normal fees) flu vaccinations are free for you. Pop into Student Health to make an appointment time.
Student Job search has celebrated it’s 30th birthday with a BQQ and Give-Aways across the country. The local campus prize goes to Jessica Wall! Congratulations!
GIVE AWAY! Dunedin only - first in first served available at the OPSA office. Large amount of thick black polythene. Table on wheels (like the old typing trolley). Bag of used plastic shopping bags. Samsung 35mm camera + outdated film. 2 x keyboards and 2 x mouse (computer variety). Also Check out the FREE bins in Manaaki foyer (Student Centre) for “bits and bobs”
TOASTMASTERS. Do you want to improve your grades? We meet every Friday D Block room 315 (3rd floor) from 12 noon – 1pm - Bring your lunch and join us. Polytechnic Toastmasters is a student club aimed at improving the communication, public speaking and leadership skills of students in a nonthreatening atmosphere.
VACANCY. Shakti Community Council Inc. is a nonprofit, community organisation providing social services for Asian, African and Middle Eastern communities in New Zealand. We are currently seeking efficient and enthusiastic ethnic women representing Asian, African and Middle Eastern communities in Dunedin. If you are interested, please email: Dunedin@shakti.org.nz/ 03 4771351/027 8080013
GYRO WRITERS. Gyro is looking for column writers for 2013. We have a topics that we would like covered for each issue or you’re more than welcome to come with one in mind. Contact the editor at gyro@opsa.org.nz
ADD A NOTICE To add a notice to this section email gyro@ opsa.org.nz
FACT
>> Straight up facts <<
BATTLE OF THE BANDS WINNER.
NEW HALL PROPOSED.
This weekend saw the 4th heat and finals of
In response to demand for safe and secure
the annual OUSA & Radio 1 battle of the bands.
accommodation from international and national
Celebrating it’s 25th incarnation the event saw over
students the Otago Polytechnic is working on plans
40 acts take to the stage. The overall winner is the 8
for a new hall of residence. Plans have not been
piece reggae group Reo with second and third going
confirmed.
to Iron Tusk and Thoughtful and the Mighty at Heart. Tune into Radio 1 to hear more from these bands.
FRUIT THAT RIPENS FRUIT.
NUMBERS ARE GOOD EVEN AS GROWTH STAGNATES. Despite the number of enrolments stagnating over
Leaving apples and bananas in a bowl together
the past few years, the Otago Polytechnic is happy
will make the bananas ripen faster. This is because
with the number of enrolments this year. A 1.5%
bananas release ethylene, a natural plant hormone,
increase in students includes a 35% increase in
which causes fruits to ripen faster. To ripen avocados
international students studying in 2013.
faster place them in a paper bag with a ripe banana.
OTAGO HIGH & DRY. The results of a recent survey by Soda Stream revealed that 75% of people asked consumed less than 4 glasses of water a day. Perhaps not too astonishingly over 80% said they felt healthier when they drank lots of water.
MUM & DAD INVESTORS A MYTH Green Party research, confirmed by Treasury, shows that half of the shares in Mighty River Power that National sold to retail investors went to just 13,000 people and that 10 percent of the retail shares went to just 400 wealthy people and organisations, Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman said. “The truth is that 98 percent of New Zealanders bought no shares at all. Half the retail shares went to just 0.3 percent of the population, and a tiny group of just 400 wealthy individuals and organisations got 10 percent of the retail shares.”
TENNIS BALLS AT WIMBLEDON.
CHINA TO CAP CARBON EMISSIONS FROM 2016. The worlds biggest contributor to world carbon dioxide (25%) has proposed measures to cap its carbon emissions from 2016. In a bid to curb what most scientists agree is the main cause of climate change. More details to come.
WINTER HAS COME. Metservice has issued warnings of severe weather over the coming weeks. Including sleet and snow in the coming days. Later in the week expect a couple of stunning sunny winter days followed by rain and northwesterlies.
OCEAN RE-DECORATES THE ESPLANADE. The paved area of the St Clair Esplanade has become the latest victim of the power of the ocean. The coastline, now notorious for erosion, has increasingly deteriorated over the last decade. And as of Sunday that included the paved area in front of the Surf
Wimbledon uses about 42 000 tennis balls in the
Lifesaving Club. High times and strong winds also saw
roughly 650 matches at the tournament.
flooding in the South and West of the harbour.
(THE GREEN) ARROW. To whom it may concern,
READER LETTERS
Send your letters to gyro@opsa.org.nz in a 100 words or less.
University’s aren’t suffering. Otago is buying up every piece of available property near campus. And who says
I write to indicate my significant
we’re entitled to Student Allowance
regard for the new series named
anyway? At least we can get loans to
“Arrow”. It is awesome. For one,
educate ourselves. Tertiary education
it’s based on a comic book. This is
is a privilege, not a right.
generally a good thing, with certain agreed and notable exceptions. Secondly, it involves killing bad guys
Regards, The Third Eye.
with a bow and arrow. Thirdly, he does heaps of cool flips and freerunning style shit. It is the dopest. I recommend that you watch it, for your own good. I’m not advertising to you.
CHEMISTRY TAKES TIME. Dear sports fans, You could say The Highlanders have been a tad slow out of the block this
Yours sincerely,
year. When just six players from your
Larry Bron-Johnson.
team of talented players is called up for All Blacks training, you know
YOU DON’t DESERVE YOUR FUNDING? Dear Gyro, It feels like we’re asking to much of the Government when it comes to tertiary funding. Let’s be honest the
there’s a lot of talent left on the bench. Just like with any team of super-stars, chemistry takes time. Signed, The Highlander (not Christopher Lambert)
Find us on Facebook and Twitter Find out the latest news, events and student deals here www.facebook.com/otagopoly www.twitter.com/otagopolytech
NATIONAL
What did the latest budget mean for
A
fter a second
With their surplus target
the student loan program.
term in office
now in sight, Hon Bill
Changes to allowance eligibility
the National
English has allocated “new
include removing eligibility for
Government revealed it’s final
spending” of $900 million in
students over 65, and reducing
budget before the next election.
his latest budget. The 2013
allocation for students over 45
The John Key National-led
Budget focuses on a number
from 200 weeks to 120 weeks.
government has been on a
of changes to curb spending,
Many students are still feeling
law-making spree of late and
stimulate Crown income, and
the effects of National removing
this was not an opportunity
the allocates some funds to
allowance for post-grads. On the
to be wasted. While it’s not
health, education and housing.
other hand, this is a move that
all bad, there is far from much
As so elegantly put by Young
is perhaps not so controversial
good. Let’s take a look at some
National “This budget saw no
when you consider that
of the changes that will affect
stupid lavish spending.”
thousands in scholarships going
students. After all, one of the
Led by Prime Minister Hon
unallocated every year.
most engaging characteristics
John Key and Deputy Prime
of democracy is the public’s
Minister, Minister of Finance
this eligibility makes it nearly
right to question their
and Minister of Infrastructure
impossible for single mothers and
government.
Hon Bill English, the National
low-income workers to up-skill
Government has systematically
through tertiary education. This
strongly motivated by their
reduced the student allowance
has been identified as one factor
election promise: getting the
program and restricted funding
in the cycle of child poverty.
Crown back into surplus by
to the tertiary sector. This is a
2014. This is only The Crown’s
move that has been criticised,
education, the budget did
books, not the country’s
as being likely to lead to an
allocate $130 million to the
international debt. Throughout
underdevelopment of the
tertiary sector over the next four
their two campaigns National
tertiary sector in the long run,
years, including $27 million on
have cut spending and looked
and which will contribute to a
engineering and science. The
at ways to increase revenue.
long-term increase in student
stand down period for student
It’s certainly not an easy task
fees.
loans has been increased from 2
National’s fiscal goals are
to undertake given the world’s unstable economic environment.
This year’s budget is the 5th consecutive budget to reduce
However, the removal of
Of the $901 million to
years to 3 years. This budget is encouraging citizens back into the
AVERSION students and New Zealanders a like? workforce, which is what National
regarding child poverty prior
go. The budget addressed
argue needs to happen at this
to the budget release saying
education for early childhood
stage of economic recovery. The
“Children who aren’t fed become
Maori, lifting of teacher
only problem is that most aren’t
victims and the Government
quality and Te Reo Moari
entering the workforce here in
has to deal with that.” This
regeneration. It also made
New Zealand but leaving to hunt
statement was taken by many as
provisions for a Maori trade
for better wages across the ditch.
an indication of coming policies
and cadetship program and
to provide food at schools. This
private training opportunities
budget did not address the issue
aimed at early school leavers.
What else was in the budget? A number of issues have not been address by the Government in this budget.
at all. But then again, it wasn’t exactly promised either.
Interestingly National has taken a 360 degree turn on ACC
The budget adopted three
and Kiwi Rail, cutting levies
Economically speaking,
policies aimed at low-income
for business by 40% as ACC
National will borrow more
housing. The first is opening up
revenue is on the rise - thanks
foreign money while riding the
the provision of social housing to
to the ever increasing revenue
short-term solution of selling
the “private sector”. Mr English
gathered through the ACC slice
state assets to increase Crown
suggested that private providers
of the price of petrol. Minimum
revenue. Environmentally
would include organizations
wage is still on a steady rise,
speaking, our rivers are more
such as the Salvation Army, Iwi
as it has every year, and the
polluted than ever and our
groups and the Presbyterian
budget promised $1.6 billion to
coastlines have been opened
Church. Other policies include the
the health sector over the next
up for deep sea oil exploration
introduction of financial support
4 years.
by foreign companies without
for whiteware loans and the
adequate environmental
allocation of $100 million, over
for students but let’s be grateful
safeguards. Socially speaking
three years, towards insulating
it didn’t take more away. Some
there are still huge issues
low-income housing.
have called this budget “safe”
around child poverty, with an
The budget’s allocation of
This budget saw nothing new
while others have suggested
estimated 250,000 children
spending on Maori education
that it’s just another example
living in poverty.
was welcomed by Nga Kaikokiri
of the “cockroach capitalists”
Prime Minister John Key
Matauranga, but that said,
making the poor poorer, and the
made statements in the media
there’s still a long way to
rich richer.
SCARFIE ARMY MOBILIZED Scarfie Army is a huge group of ordinary students who combine their forces to perform extraordinary feats of generosity for people, ecosystems or animals who need help.
T
he Scarfie Army is
As part of the Free Car Clinic
“Also, employers often look at
back in full force
day, vehicles belonging to the
work experience when reviewing
for 2013, with a
Cancer Society, the Child Cancer
candidates for jobs. If they are
second cohort of Automotive
Foundation, Canteen, Stop
able to see that our students have
Engineering students from Otago
Violence Dunedin and many
carried out a number of hours
Polytechnic to service a fleet
other community vehicles will
volunteering, then they are likely
of community vehicles free of
be given a full complementary
to view this positively,” says Mr.
charge this Wednesday 29 May.
service on their vehicles. 32
Miller.
Following on from a successful
Automotive Engineering students
About 20 second-year Social
pilot last year, Scarfie Army is
will carry out the work under
Services students put their
an Otago Polytechnic initiative
the supervision of staff, and
volunteering services to good
which draws inspiration from
BNT Dunedin has generously
use recently, completing various
the remarkable success of its
donated the oil and filters for the
tasks for the North East Valley
Canterbury counterpart, the
servicing.
Project and their community
Student Volunteer Army. “We
Otago Polytechnic Automotive
garden. “It was fantastic! Students
want to continue to foster a
Programme Manager Hamish
helped by weeding, reupholstering
sense of community-mindedness
Miller sees this initiative as
furniture and beautifying the front
with our students,” says Project
mutually-beneficial. “Charities
garden that had been built by our
Leader, Terry Buckingham.
which often lack money for
Landscape Design students. We
“There is real value in the
maintaining vehicles can redirect
all had a great day and everyone
experience students gain as
their limited funds to other
benefited,” says North East Valley
volunteers and now more than
priorities and students gain real life
Project Coordinator, Hung Lam.
ever, students have a social
work experience while engaging
conscience they want to put to
with and learning about local
good use.”
community projects.
INTERVIEW GYRO interviews the locals.
DARLENE THOMPSON SCARFIE ARMY 1. WHAT IS YOUR ROLE WITH THE SCARFIE ARMY? I am the coordinator. This means that I organize projects that have either been suggested by Polytech staff/students or those suggested by various charities. As the role is new, introductions to charities are just beginning, but once they know about us we expect ideas to roll in. 2. HOW ARE YOUR MISSIONS FUNDED? This year the Polytech have given us a projects budget. This allows for a negotiable budget of $300 per project. So far this money has been used to feed the troops as most related materials have been donated. 3. WHAT IS YOUR NEXT MISSION? A free car clinic on May 29 by automotive students, followed by a family fun day for the child cancer foundation by nursing students on June 8 and a tbc fix up of the Carey’s Bay rowing club by the campus service’s team.
4. CAN STUDENTS SUGGEST IDEAS FOR MISSIONS? Absolutely. I would love to hear from students. The criteria is for class or multi class initiatives where students and staff forgo a day in the classroom for a volunteer day elsewhere as a class unit. No marks, no stress – just a helping hand. It’s best if the project relates to your learning or specific skills gained as part of your degree/diploma. 5. WHAT TOOLS ARE IN THE ARSENAL OF THE SCARFIE ARMY? Anything will be considered as long as it is for a charitable cause and you have buy in from your programme manager. For random, one off volunteer jobs we are working with SJS.
We are updating our website but you can reach me on (03) 4796007 or email darlene.thomson@op.ac.nz
MUSIC REVIEW Courtesy - Suzylee: ofthe-girl.blogspot.co.nz
SPORTS BALL Courtesy - Phil
I knew it was going to be a good night when I discovered
The Oceana Gold Nuggets are absolutely dominating
that Mei Wah sold deep fried Moros, it had been some
The National Basketball League this season. Their league
time since I’d had my favourite deep fried treat, so I wasn’t
leading 16 points comes courtesy of a perfect record in
even bothered that I’d be a bit late to the Dunedin leg of
2013. Their 8 wins have come at an average win margin of
the Nadia Reid & Luckless Tour at The Church on Dundas
20 points. With this weekends overtime 90 - 85 win the
St. We arrived some way into Ivy Rossiter’s set, and as I’ve
narrowest margin of the season. The Nuggets have been
managed to miss the opening acts of most of the gigs I’ve
unstoppable, scoring an average of 96.5 points while
been to lately I wasn’t bothered about that either - as long
holding teams to an average of 65.5 points.
as I didn’t miss Nadia!
The Nuggest defense has been top notch - impenetrable
But I should have been bothered. I have a ‘thing’ for girls
at times. Beny Anthony, Akeem Wright, Antoine Tisby
who can play electric guitar, by ‘thing’ I mean I’m totally
and Brendon Polyblank make up one of the biggest front
and utterly inspired by, and jealous of women behind a
courts in the league. Sealing the interior with a strong
guitar, rocking out to a heavy riff, that they wrote, I wish
wall of talented big men forcing outside shots and
I was that cool. I now have a thing for Ivy. Not only does
securing rebounds.
she have a powerful Janis-esque voice but she can play,
Veteran leader Mark Dickel runs the point and hassles
boy can she play. By the time she played her last song,
apposing guards on defense. The rest of the back court is
‘Better than being blue’ I was totally in awe - that one track
filled with the familiar faces of Hayden Allen, Riki Buckrell
made my night.
and James Ross helping out at guard. Their current roster
Then it was Nadia’s turn. Accompanied by my all time
boasts youngster Sam Timmins who at the age of 15
favourite, double bass, she played even better than last
stands at 2.04 meters and weights in around 105 kg.
time I saw her, which was pretty unbelievable - In a Yurt
Points have not been hard to come by for this Nuggets team.
in Nelson on my birthday last year. As the New Edinburgh
Anthony is averaging 23 points a night on 60% shooting
Folk Club’s ‘Clarion’ says “This is no gloss-laden floss-
from inside the arc and 40% from outside. While Wright (21)
pedalling romp through a handful of chords” - Nadia’s lyrics
and Tisby (15) both contributing in double figures.
are tales of joy and sorrow, and she captures you and takes
Lead by coach Alf Arlidge and captain Mark Dickel, averaging
you on a true journey to the places they came from. I can’t
6 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assits, backed by a roster of
name a favourite track from her - I like them all. She even
healthy players the Nuggets are looking like the team to
managed a sweet rendition of Anika Moa’s ‘Mother’ for
beat this season.
Mother’s Day, I wished my mum had been there watching,
The turnaround of the franchise has to be one of the top
I think she would have loved it as much as I did. A glass of
business success stories in Otago’s history. With crowd
red would have been a nice accompaniment too - but poor
numbers reaching record breaking numbers make sure to
student status put pay to that.
get your tickets well before the next game.
For a fresh May evening in Dunedin I couldn’t have thought
The Nuggets go on a 2 game road trip and play their next
of a better way to spend it, and I can’t wait for the new
home game against the Jets on Sat 8th June at 7pm at the
material these ladies are working on to become available.
Lion foundation arena.
› › › TH E G Y R O EV EN TS G UID E ‹ ‹‹
TUE Casual YOGA, 6pm-8pm, OUSA Recreation, $5
OPEN MICS & OPEN DECKS night, Refuel
28th
DANCING IN THE WAKE (play), Allen Hall, 7.30pm, $10
4th
WED Queens Got Talent OPEN MIC, Queens 8pm, FREE
SOUTHERN YOUTH CHOIR, Marama Hall 1pm, $2 Banff Mountain FILM FESTIVAL Regent Theatre, 7.30pm, $12 THE FU KING, Refuel, FREE
29th A WINTER’S TALE - TRUE STORIES TOLD LIVE, City Library, Koha
5th
FRI
THE LAON/Maine Coons/TLA, Refuel
1st
CRAIG TERRIS GROUP (indie, pop, rock), Chicks Hotel Sat 8 June
VINTAGE MARKET, Queens, 10am-4pm
SUN
THU
LATIN NIGHT, Embassy Nightclub & Karaoke, FREE
ONCE APON A SUNDAY, Heartwarming stories read in the Storypit, City Library
SAT
INDIE DANCE NIGHT Queens, 10pm, FREE
OTAGO FARMERS MARKET, Railway station, 8am until 12 noon.
DARTS & PING PONG, Queens, 8pm
DIE! DIE! DIE! South Island Tour, Queens, ALL AGES, 4pm
UNI FIRST YEAR BANDS, Refuel
BEASTWARS Blood Becomes Fire Tour (metal), ReFuel, 9pm, $15 /$20 KINDRED SOUNDSYSTEM, Sammys, 9pm, $10 STRANGE HARVEST, Opposite Sex & Murderbike, Queens, 9.30pm
31st BIG RICK, Space Bats Attack & Astro Children, Queens
WONKY BOOSH a ‘Mighty Boosh’
8th
SMOKEFREE ROCKQUEST, Kings & Queens Arts Centre (Bay View Rd), 7pm, $20
themed party: MANTHYNG, Cult Disney, Fu King, Main Coons, Ecophonik, Stevolicious & Sonic Smith, Queens, $10
2nd
DUNEDIN THUNDER HOME OPENER VS BOTANY SWARM GAME 2, Dunedin Ice Stadium, $15
30th The Theomin Art Collection Tour, Olveston House, 4:30pm - 6:30pm
6th
7th
DIE! DIE! DIE! & Opposite Sex, Queens TIGER TIGER, (rock), Lone Star, 9pm
BATTLE OF THE BANDS National Regional Final: Sammys, 8pm, $7
FESTIVALS, WORKSHOPS, GIGS, EXHIBITIONS, PLAYS, & MORE – THE ULTIMATE ANSWER TO “WHAT SHALL I DO TONIGHT?”
MON Casual YOGA, 6pm-8pm, OUSA Recreation, $5
Queens BIRTHDAY FESTIVAL, bands TBC, 3pm till late! MOUNTAIN MUGS, Otago Museum. All ages, FREE
3rd
Please note ticket prices may differ due to the bizarre range of the way people promote their gigs and booking fees.To add a event to the next gyro gig guide email mark.baxter@op.ac.nz