RAM 2026 Issue #5

RAM ISSUE 05.

JULY 2026

YOUR LINCOLN UNI STUDENT MAGAZINE

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RAM ISSUE 05 / JULY 2026

Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition Calling all student researchers

Present your thesis in three minutes and be in to win cash prizes.

Registrations close

Friday 17th July 2026 Want to learn more or join the competition?

Visit www.lincoln.ac.nz/3MT for details and to register.

You’re also welcome to attend one of our info sessions to get all the details in person: Thursday 2nd July Tuesday 7th July 12 noon Whare Tapere (Grounded Theatre) Scan the QR code to sign up or learn more!

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IN THIS ISSUE 6 Your New Disability & PG Engagement Reps 8 Young Farmers Speed Shear 14 New Zealand: The Land of Lizards 18 What the Heck is a ‘Narmee’?

20 Movie Review: Obsession 21 Recent Graduates 22 Let’s Get Political (Issue 2) 26 Club Yarns 30 Article in Response: ‘Let’s Get Political’ 38 Scrapping Fees Free!

42 Nastyscopes

Get rewarded when you contribute to the RAM!

Visit

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Articles:

Letters to the Ed:

Opinion Column:

Done some cool shit? We wanna hear it!

Spin a yarn, we love hearing what you’ve got to say.

Share your opinion about literally anything!

Read current issue online and contribute lusa.nz lusa.nz studentsatlincoln

To submit a piece email comms@lusa.org.nz

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LUSA 2026 EXEC Zara Weissenstein President

Kia ora everyone and welcome back to Semester Two!! It’s so good to see you all back on campus, it was getting just a little too quiet here! We have so much coming up for you in ReOri including Winterball, Clubs Market Day, and “See the Snow” on the 18th July, as well as lots of free food of course! Later on in the term we also have the Postgrad and Mature Students Pub Quiz on the 28th July, International Dinner on the 5th August, and so much more! We hope to see you out at all our events so we can continue getting to know you all!

This term our LUSA Board Meetings are on the 23rd July and 13th August. This is where we discuss how we can make your experience on campus better, and lots more.

If you are considering running for any position on the LUSA exec for 2027 then these meetings would be great to come along to to get a taste of what it’s like! You can also attend these meetings if you’d simply like to know more about what LUSA has been up to recently. Do also keep an eye out as the term goes on for comms on the elections, and start thinking about what role you’d like to run for for 2027. What changes do you think could make LUSA and Lincoln University better? Please feel free to contact me at president@lusa.org.nz if you have any questions about elections or being on the LUSA exec. On the other hand, if you’d rather come see me in person, I can often be

found in my very pink office in the LUSA office on the ground floor of the Forbes Building, and I love to yap so feel free to come in and ask whichever questions you may have.

Please also remember that I am here to help you have the best student experience possible in your time here, so if you have any concerns or feedback about anything, please feel free to again, contact me or come in to see me in the LUSA office.

Have a great term 2! president@lusa.org.nz

Sam Rajnikant Vice President

Kia Ora and Namaskara everyone.

To those who are new this semester, welcome! I am Samrddhi or Sam, your LUSA Vice-President for 2026. LUSA is your students’ association that has a variety of services and modes of representing students – our office is on the ground floor of the Forbes building just as you enter, so, if you want to know more whenever you’re in the Grounded student space. Re’Ori is just as exciting as the start of the year, and we hope to see you at all our free food events and especially at Clubs Market Day this Thursday. This is where you can find the various LUSA Clubs, some other organisations and loads of free goodies.

To those returning, welcome back!

It’s an odd winter, isn’t it? No complaints about the sun except from an existential point of view, but it is still winter. As you gear up for another semester, make sure you have warmth at home and enough hot beverage breaks.

In the past semester, I’ve mainly been involved in reviewing our organisation’s policies along with the amazing Policy Subcommittee and LUSA advisors, which will still be a priority going into this semester. A good shakedown of the Environmental Sustainability Policy continues.

Apart from that, we are in the later stages of developing our AI-at-LU survey to bring in the student perspective on how AI is involved in your study here. We will bring you more details when we have a better understanding of the timeline of this, but in the meanwhile if you have any concerns about AI or AI-based decisions in academics that you think should be incorporated, please feel free to approach me in person or via email.

Among other advocacy and representation involvements, there is also LUSA’s involvement in the Free Fares campaign, for lower, if not free, public transport fares for students. This includes fares, and the general accessibility of public transport for us students, and it would be quite valuable to get more direct feedback from you all about how you may depend on buses while you study here. If you have thoughts on either of these, please feel free to email me at vp@lusa.org.nz. You can also approach me for a chat about these, or other general topics.

Occasionally, when I’m tired I will let you know that I’m at capacity and able to catch-up at another time, but I look forward to the new interactions this semester will bring. vp@lusa.org.nz

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Darius J Harris

Postgrad Academic Rep

Tena koutou, I hope that you all have thoroughly enjoyed your welldeserved break. I always find a reassured strength and an acknowledgement of inherent support when I return from recharging with Whanau and a reconnection with my Home Turf.

I feel that this helps me to have a place to stand here at LU Campus as I make a renewed commitment to finish what I have started.

Post Grad Student life is a challenge. A constant pace of learning, to comprehend, to critique, all the while juggling study commitments, work commitments and that all important time for Whanau.

Never a dull moment. Then again, similarly with many others, I do enjoy taking the time to catch some Winter Sun in one of the quieter outdoor spaces here on campus.

Matariki is a time of reflection and remembrance. But equally importantly, it is a time of celebration. The Light returns and we have returned to campus to renew our whanaungatanga with each other. Now is the time to hear stories about what we did in the break, the adventures we had, and the Folk we saw. I am looking forward to sharing that korero with you all.

We can do this over Kai that we at LUSA will be providing as part of our Re-Orientation week. We can also do this together when we celebrate Matariki here on Campus. Don’t forget, we have been lucky enough to source Kai that we can pass onto Students here on Campus on certain afternoons. So, keep yourself informed and up to date with LUSA socials.

Renew that commitment to yourselves and your studies.

Celebrate the New Year and remember those challenges and hurdles that you have overcome that have allowed you to move forward. Don’t forget to reach out to us here at LUSA if you need any guidance. All the best for the New Semester here at LU! Manawatia a Matariki pg.academic@lusa.org.nz

Anne Kaninteang Pasifika Rep

Warm Pacific greetings!

Hope you have all found semester one enjoyable and are looking forward to semester two.

This upcoming exciting semester, LUPISA wants to deliver more engaging events with our uni community, so stay tuned on our socials, Instagram: @lupisa_ More specifically, engaging with other various clubs here at LU. LUSA is kicking off with ReOri and has provided various events, so be sure to not miss out and get involved.

Remember, if things are getting tough with assignments and things, don’t forget to reach out to the many support systems!

Hope you all are happy with your semester one results, and don’t be too hard on yourself if things did not go your way.

Get ready for semester two, enjoy, and have fun. pasifika.rep@lusa.org.nz

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Liam Moore

Wellbeing & Engagement Rep

Hey everyone, I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the break, I’m lucky enough to be spending it with family.

I’m excited for the new semester and ReOri week events, especially Clubs Market Day, also Winterball and of course the free food handouts. I hope to see you all enjoying yourselves at our events. If you have any feedback or articles you want to write or see written in the RAM, email me or come find me working in Grounded this semester, I’m always happy to chat about anything – I appreciate any distraction from studying. engagement.rep@lusa.org.nz

Coral Peat Sustainability Rep

Kia ora koutou, This is an exciting term, with sustainability week coming up on the 10th of August. Check out the sustainability section for a rough outline of the week’s events and feel free to reach out if you have any ideas or would like to help.

This event takes a lot of planning and it is great to see people getting engaged. There will be free food handed out at some of the activities over the week, so don’t miss out. As we get into winter, don’t forget to check out your local op-shops for deals on cozy jackets and jumpers. All the best, stay healthy. sustainability.rep@lusa.org.nz

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Zhexi (Chelcie) Zhang

International Rep

If you have any ideas, concerns, or suggestions, I would love to hear from you.

I wish you all a smooth and positive start to Semester 2.

Take care of yourself, ask for help when you need it, and don’t be afraid to say hello if you see me around campus.

DISABILITY REP Argile (Argie) Tsang

international.rep@lusa.org.nz

Kia ora koutou, I hope you all had a good break and are feeling ready for Semester 2. A very warm welcome to all new and returning international students.

Starting a new semester can be exciting, but it can also feel a little overwhelming, especially if you are still settling into life in New Zealand, adjusting to study, or trying to find your place in the Lincoln community.

As your International Representative, my role is to listen to international students, share your feedback, and help make sure your voices are heard. If you have questions about student life, clubs, events, academic support, scholarships, campus services, or simply how to get more involved, please feel free to reach out.

Even small questions are important, and sometimes it is much easier when someone can point you in the right direction.

Over the past semester, I have really enjoyed meeting students from different backgrounds and hearing about your experiences at Lincoln. I know international students often face extra challenges, such as adjusting to a new culture, managing study pressure, building friendships, and understanding different systems. You are not alone in this, and there are many people and services here to support you.

This semester, I hope to create more opportunities for international students to connect, share cultures, and feel more visible on campus.

I am especially looking forward to supporting more cultural and social events, working with different clubs, and helping students find ways to get involved in the wider Lincoln community.

Sam Dryden Rainbow EDI Rep Can you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your role as the Postgraduate Engagement Rep?

Kia ora e hoa mā! A warm welcome to Semester two and a belated mānawatia a Matariki mā Puaka to you all!

I hope you all managed to take a well-deserved break after surviving the first half of the year.

The winter period can be tough, so it’s super important to be kind to yourself where possible.

Connection is also crucial.

Once again, I would like to thank everyone who came together for our annual Pride Hīkoi last semester. Seeing the way that the event grows every year is one of the things that makes me the proudest of this place.

If you’re looking for more chances for connection this semester, one of my favourite events of the year is coming up fast: SPACE Ball on the 31st of July. We’re also officially opening the new rainbow crossing outside Waimarie with a ribbon cutting, morning tea, and discussion with the artist! Looking forward to seeing you there! rainbow.rep@lusa.org.nz

I’m Argie, a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture first-year, and your Disability EDI Rep for the rest of 2026! Some things about me: I’m a native Aucklander with Chinese heritage; I enjoy thrifting and putting together unique outfits; and I’m neurodivergent with long-term mental health conditions.

What made you want to run for this position?

I care about people – a lot.

I’m naturally concerned about the welfare of others. I came to this university and chose my degree in the hopes of one day being able to produce a positive impact within a community by improving its public spaces. With LUSA, I saw an opportunity to make a difference here and now, to better the experience of groups and individuals like me who benefit from additional support to thrive, as well as the wider student body.

For students who may not know, what exactly does the Disability Rep do?

The Disability EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Rep is most notably the representative of those affected by disability on campus, and an advocate for our community. What students may not know is that I’m one of the people responsible in this capacity for all matters that impact a student’s welfare (health,

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happiness, and overall wellbeing) at university. I collaborate most frequently with the Rainbow EDI Rep and Wellbeing & Engagement Rep on such issues.

What are some of the key issues affecting disabled students on campus?

From my perspective, encouraging students to engage with services that can support them is a key issue. I believe that the university has a lot to offer in this area, but students fall through the cracks when they are not aware of how, run out of time, or feel ashamed to seek assistance.

Another issue I have encountered is balancing visibility and privacy.

Students often need to disclose their disability in order to receive accommodations, but this can come with the fear of that information affecting their prospects, or causing them to become defined by their disability.

However, these observations are from my singular viewpoint. I’m excited to engage more with the community as I come into my role and learn more about which issues are most important to others.

What kinds of support services or resources are available for disabled students?

Inclusive Education can arrange accommodations for study (both assignments and exams) tailored to your needs. They are wonderful to have a chat with as a first point of contact for disability and neurodiversity support.

Student Health provide on-campus doctors who are essential for managing both long-term and short-term conditions. Standard appointments are just $10 with a Community Services Card. They also provide referrals for specialised care externally.

Student Health also offer 5 counsellors with different specialisations, as well as a dietitian, a Health Improvement Practitioner, and a Health Coach.

Are there any upcoming events, awareness campaigns, or opportunities students should know about?

Iconic (the disability social club) will have a stall at ReOri Clubs Market Day on 16th July – come check us out! There will be a low-sensory session (10-10:30am, registration required) as well.

POSTGRAD ENGAGEMENT REP Carolyn Mavretish

Can you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your role as the Postgraduate Engagement Rep? I’m in my first-year at Lincoln doing a Master of Landscape Architecture, and I’m originally from the United States. Most of the time, I tell people that I’m from New York, because it’s easier, but the reality is I’m actually originally from New Jersey, which is like New York’s uncool younger brother. However, the longer I’m away from home, the more I appreciate the fact that it’s a tiny, unassuming place where people from all different cultures come together— not dissimilar to the student body at Lincoln. As the Postgraduate Engagement Rep part of my role is to represent and advocate for postgraduate students from all over the map, as well as facilitate communication between students and faculty. I hope that coming from a place like New Jersey will actually help me fulfill my role.

Coming from a relatively insular department, I found it hard to meet other postgrad students, which seems to resonate with postgrad students across the board. As a small university we have the opportunity to create a tight-knit community that isn’t necessarily possible at larger universities like Canterbury.

I came from a small school in the US where the deepened relationships that resulted from seeing the same people frequently helped me thrive both academically and socially, and I want to recreate that environment so that students may find a home in Lincoln no matter where they are from. I’ve also lived in various places far from home throughout my life and I know how disorienting it can be to come from far away (as many of us have) and how daunting it may feel to find community. At the very least, I hope to be a familiar face and someone you can always approach on campus.

For students who may not know, what exactly does the PG Engagement Rep do?

The PG Engagement Rep is largely responsible for facilitating communication between postgrad students, or between postgrad students and other faculty at Lincoln, whether that be LUSA, or your professors. As a member of LUSA I’ll also be partly responsible for creating goals for Lincoln as a university, and those goals should represent changes that students want to see— so you should always feel free to reach out and communicate what you want those changes to be. We’re working on developing a platform that makes this sort of communication more accessible. I’ll also be working to create more opportunities for postgrad students to connect, both through providing physical spaces to do so as well as events.

What made you want to run for this position?

What kinds of support or opportunities do postgrad students often look for?

In my first semester as a postgrad student I found the community to be a little bit disconnected.

Postgrad students are looking for research opportunities, scholarships and grants,

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networking opportunities, mental health support, and an outlet that allows students to have a balanced life outside of academics. I will be working toward facilitating these sort of opportunities for postgrad students at Lincoln. Additionally, I think postgrad students (especially international students) could benefit from being able to both participate in cultural exchange and connect with students of their own nationality in order to have a sense of home.

Are there any upcoming opportunities or activities postgraduate students should know about?

As far as planned activities, postgrad students should definitely attend the Semester 2 Clubs Market Day (clubs are not just for undergrad students and a great way to foster community!) and Winterball.

What changes or improvements would you love to see for postgraduate students at the university?

Personally, I would love to see a dedicated postgrad space on campus and improved communication around campus events to postgrad students.

If possible, it would also be great to have a fund for postgrad students to apply for to help them complete research or other self-directed projects. Additionally, dedicated postgrad social and networking events would allow students to connect across disciplines and ease them into the transition of finding work in their field after completing study.

Lastly, I would like to develop a platform for students to submit concerns or suggestions to LUSA, because most of all, we want to hear from you. pg.engagement@lusa.org.nz

2026 SPEED SHEAR Lincoln Young Farmers held our annual speed shear on the 23rd May at the Famous Grouse Hotel Lincoln.

The event was a great success with competitor numbers at a record high and the pub packed out with spectators.

The Speed Shear has a reputation as being one of the highlight events of the year, and this year was no exception!

The atmosphere was electric, and everyone was buzzing as the wool flew off the sheep!

Four categories were run on the night, including a Clean shear; based on the quality of the shear rather than the time.

The draw card Speed Shear, where the aim of the game is to take the wool off as fast as possible included 22 competitors across Intermediate, Senior and Open categories, including North Island gun shearer Gavin Mutch.

A strong LYFC contingent held it down across all of the categories which made the night even better!

The fastest time of the night was just 23 seconds!

The evening wrapped up with an auction and raffle, which was well supported by both our Lincoln students and the general public. The speed shear is always a highlight on both the Young Farmers and Famous Grouse calendar, and we are already looking forward to next year.

A huge thank you to LUSA and our huge family of sponsors who made the event happen, we couldn’t do it without your help.

Congratulations to all our winners and placegetters:

CLEAN SHEAR • • •

1st: Niamh Maxwell 2nd: Hannah Donald 3rd: Connor Rose

SPEED SHEAR Intermediate • 1st: Tyron Smith • 2nd: AJ Hall • 3rd: Deakan Mullins-Henry Senior • 1st: Weston Rata • 2nd: Lachie Cameron • 3rd: Zion Smith Open • 1st: Gavin Mutch • 2nd: Lyall Windleburn • 3rd: JP Bouyer

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tue 28 july, 7–9:30pm +booking fees

The Famous Grouse +booking fees

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individuAl ticketS

reserved tabLe (Up to 8 people)

LUSA.flicket.co.nz Ticket includes one free drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) + some tasty bar snacks.

Next Drug Checking Clinic:11

Tues 14 July 3–6pm Free & Confidential

www.knowyourstuff.nz

Account running on empty and been stung with a niggly bill?

The Financial Assistance Fund is here to support you if you’re experiencing an unexpected financial issue that is compromising your studies.

For more info or to apply lusa.org.nz

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The LU Ecological Society held our annual Conservation and Ecology Careers Evening on the 29th of May. This event provides students the opportunity to network with professionals in the conservation and ecology sector and grow their knowledge of careers that involve protecting te taiao.

The more intimate gathering encouraged genuine conversations between students and industry staff, allowing people the opportunity to share experiences and explore modern and innovative technologies that are being used in the field... including the introduction of a Chilean species of Chrysomelid beetle as a biocontrol agent for the Chilean flame creeper. These beetles have been investigated by Manaaki Whenua over the past few years and were approved for release as biocontrol agents earlier this year. At present, Lincoln University has a population of at least one of these Chrysomelid beetles due to an escapee, which was a discussion point for the evening.

We were fortunate enough to hear from guest speakers Noah Fenwick and Colin Meurk. Noah shared insights into his work with the Department of Conservation (DOC) and Kaki conservation.

Colin discussed his perspective as an experienced ecologist and the values around being an involved citizen. He also spoke about opportunities for positive change.

This was a highly successful evening, made possible by the support of our stall holders - Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust, Living Springs and the Bioeconomy Science Institute, as well as our guest speakers Colin Meurk and Noah Fenwick. It would not have been possible without the dedicated exec team, and we appreciate the attendance of our members and the wider Lincoln University community.

We would also like to extend a massive thank you to LUSA for the club grant that enabled us to run this event and inspire the next generation of kaitiaki of te taiao. The collective enthusiasm and contributions from everyone created an ecosystem of knowledge, connection and excitement within the conservation and ecology community.

Keep up to date/ evolve with the changing habitat by following our social media.

Written by Emily Dippie

lincolnecologicalsocietynz Lincoln Ecological Society

Waipara River Mouth and Pegasus Wetlands Trip On the 2nd of May, several of us from the Ecological Society went on a day trip to North Canterbury, with the aim of visiting the Waipara River Mouth and Pegasus Wetlands.

Just before we got to our first destination, we first stopped in Amberley, where there was a lovely farmers market going on. After spending 20 minutes having a good look around, we drove over to the Waipara River Mouth. We walked onto the stony beach to get to the river mouth lagoon. There were many seashells and other interesting things that had washed up on the beach, providing some interesting beachcombing. Sprinkled here and there among the stones were rocks containing fossil shells, since the river and the surrounding hills are rich in fossilbearing rocks, ranging in age from the Cretaceous Period to more recent times. At the river mouth we saw several birds. Banded Dotterels and Pied Stilts fed in the mud and shallow water while Black-Fronted Terns and Caspian Terns flew past and overhead, with there even being a big flock of Black Swans that flew out to sea. The main bird we were hoping to see was the small and gorgeous Black-Fronted Dotterel.

We ended up seeing about 5 of them, though they mostly kept their distance. One of us even spotted a New Zealand Dabchick, a type of grebe which is rare in the South Island. It even allowed for some close views, so it was certainly a special encounter!

Afterwards we drove over to Pegasus Wetlands.

We first had a late lunch beside one of the lakes.

While we were setting up, a few of us saw an Australasian Crested Grebe. After lunch we went for a nice walk along one of the wetland’s paths, where there were more nice birds, invertebrates and plants to be seen. It was certainly a wonderful day out that was enjoyed by all, which had some great bird sightings!

Written by William Harland

Ko wai Matariki?

This year, Matariki celebrations spanned from 6 - 13 July, with the official public holiday being on Friday 10 July. But what is Matariki and why does it matter?

Matariki is a cluster of seven stars, known in other parts of the world as the Pleiades, Messier 45 (M45), Katatjruk, Subaru, Krittika, Mao etc. and belongs to the larger constellation, Taurus.

In New Zealand, this large open cluster is known as Te Rā Aro ki a Matariki, or Matariki, which heralds the Maori New Year. This is when the stars rise on the horizon at dawn for three days in the mid-winter months. Like Lunar New Year, Eid, and Easter, Matariki dates change each year as a lunar holiday.

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carrying the spirits of those who passed away in the previous year into the night sky to become stars. So it is a great time to remember those who have gone before us.

Winter traditionally meant a time to stay at home which served as a critical period to recalibrate, reflect, set intentions, and plan for the future and also an ideal time to come together (like the stars) and reconnect [Matariki] is a time with whānau, enjoy kai, waiata and tākaro (games). for remembrance,

celebrating the present and looking to the future.

The rising of Matariki in mid-winter signals the New Year, or Te Mātahi o te Tau. Traditionally and today, the star cluster tells Māori about seasonal weather, the health of the environment; clear and bright stars indicated a warm and bountiful harvest, while hazy stars warned of a bleak or difficult winter.

Matariki is deeply tied to the cycle of life and death.

The cluster is viewed as the “waka” of the dead,

So, how do you find Matariki? You can spot Matariki before sunrise in the north-east. There are plenty of resources online to help you look, but if you look northwards of the constellation Tautoro (also called Orion’s Belt or The Pot), you are searching for a sparkling cluster that is almost as wide as Tautoro is long.

You can continue to see Matariki in the summer, but after sunset rather than before sunrise.

There are many resources that you can use to learn about Matariki with just a quick AI overview. Happy star-gazing!

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Waitaha Geko (Woodworthia brunnea)

West Coast Green Geko (Naultinus tuberculatus)

New Zealand: The Land of Lizards

by Maryanne Walker

Harlequin Geko (Tukutuku rakiurae)

Canterbury Grass Skink (Oligosoma polychroma)

The New Zealand fauna is full of beautiful species found nowhere else in the world.

The diversity of native lizards in New Zealand is as rich as our famous birds. This page showcases some lizard species that often get forgotten about! Currently, there are over 127 native species of geckos and skinks with more being discovered every year!

Jewelled Geko (Naultinus gemmeus)

Canterbury Spotted Skink (Oligosoma lineoocellatum)

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On Wednesday 27 May, we held Lincoln’s Annual Pride Walk on campus alongside SPACE and Lincoln University. It was a record turn out this year, so thank you so much to all who came!

Students and staff alike turned up to celebrate, donned with rainbow flags, pride stickers, and pins.

They then danced along as we started at the rainbow crossing outside Te Kete Ika and paraded past Ivey Hall, down Springs Road, and further into campus before moving through Grounded to finish up on Forbes Lawn.

Attendees were treated to free ice cream (with sprinkles!), live music courtesy of Mac & Mates, a rainbow gumboot toss competition, and a free bracelet making and art activity. Grounded was abuzz with Pride and we are so proud that this event keeps getting bigger!

If you came along, thank you once again for your support and allyship for our rainbow LU whānau.

Make sure to tag us on TikTok and Instagram too, we’d love to see your photos!

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register YOUR PRES OR AFTERS

Win

x2 $100 vouchers

scan to enter YOUR PARTY FOR party between 10th July - 31st July 2026

goodone.org.nz

ENROL TO VOTE

Club Hui

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Club Exec: ??

Semester 2 Updates Connect with other Club Execs and hear the latest from LUSA.

IT'S TIME TO MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!

ss bb lulu SA CC rtrt oo LU UuSpApp LS Sup

• Event Tips & Club Support • LU Health & Safety Updates • Healthy Living Grant Changes • Share Your Feedback RSVP before 5pm Thursday 16th July and get some free Subway!

RSVP for free Subway!

Tues 21st July

Check or update your enrolment online!

12pm–1.30pm Grounded Theatre

Enrol by Sunday 25 October to vote If you have any questions, please contact president@lusa.org.nz If you need help with elections accessibility, please contact president@ndsa.org.nz Help LUSA win the national student associations' competition to get the most voter enrolments for 2026!

Support our student researchers

BE A LIFESAVER

Join Our Blood Donation Drive

Be part of the audience at this year’s

Three Minute Thesis Competition

as our student researchers give rapid-fire presentations of their work.

Tuesday 21 July 9:30am -2:30pm

Heats:

Monday 3 August, Tuesday 4 August Friday 7 August 12.00-2.00pm Memorial Hall

Lincoln University Mrs O’s

Grand final:

Scan here to check if you’re eligible.

Thursday 20 August 5.30pm R2 & Foyer

Free, all welcome Learn more at www.lincoln.ac.nz/3MT Scan here to book an appointment.

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nzblood.co.nz | 0800 448 325

$ $

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WHAT THE HECK IS A ‘NARMEE’?

Who would have thought the one lunchtime I decided to eat in Grounded, would become such a pivotal moment in my life?

It was the Exchange Fair, that I hadn’t planned on attending, and I just happened to be there at the same time! I was also in the second semester of my final year, so what was the point? Regardless, I had some time until my next class, so I did a lap of the fair...

I can’t quite remember what drew me to ‘that’ table, maybe the lollies, maybe the flag...but I do remember picking up a flyer and reading “Master’s in Natural Resource Management and Ecological Engineering.”

Those words didn’t mean much to me at the time.

What really caught my attention was the cover photo. A huge yellow building behind a stone water fountain. Little did I know that exactly 12 months later, I’d be living just a 15-minute walk from it Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna, Austria.

After uni, I wanted to travel, but I also felt I had more to give. The thought of an honours terrified me.

Courses and research?! I had seen enough of my friends suffer, and frankly, I enjoy my free time. But this one A4 flyer felt like the perfect compromise.

One semester at Lincoln, one semester in Vienna, and a year to write my thesis. Wait, what’s that...?

My flights are covered? First year fees-free?

There’s a scholarship too? Sign me up!

I had also signed myself up for a research master’s… not exactly a decision to take lightly. But I knew I wanted to keep studying, while also travelling and seeing the world, so I figured, “warum nicht beides?”

“Why not both?”

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In August 2025, I was on the plane and the next six months went a little like this: • Arrived in Vienna thinking, “Shit now what?”

• Explored the city of 2 million, like I was the main character in an early 2000s romcom!

• Spent two weeks being humbled by intensive German classes.

• Made friends from at least 8 different countries, (securing my future couch surfing endeavours).

• Drank some beers.

• Attended classes - in English thankfully.

• Watched the World Tramdriver Championships live (yes it’s a thing, look it up).

• Went hiking in the Alps.

• Became emotionally attached to the public transport system.

• Made a pavlova.

• Spent almost every weekend in a different town, city or country.

• Went on some uni field trips around Austria.

• Took a spontaneous trip to Norway because Ryanair had a sale.

• Attended my fair share of Christmas markets.

• Drank enough Glühwein to survive a European winter.

• Played in the snow like a child.

• Danced the opening waltz at the BOKU Ball in front of roughly 3,000 people.

• Did a couple assignments here and there to remind myself I was there to study.

• Made another Pavlova.

• Drank some more beer.

• Played in the snow again because I couldn’t get enough .

• Went hiking. Again.

• Went ice skating and, against all odds, didn’t fall over once!

• Watched the Winter Olympics live in Cortina, because, why not?!

• Blinked… and suddenly I was back in NZ.

I could yap for days about how amazing my time in Austria was, and how life-changing the experience has been, but I think it would be more worthwhile if you experience it for yourself.

So here are six reasons you should do the Narmee Program: 1. There is funding support! Maximise that final year of postgrad fees-free from LU before it’s too late.

Plus, your flights to Vienna are covered. There’s an exclusive LU scholarship for the Narmee Program.

Financially? It’s giving “just go already vibes.”

2. The course options at BOKU are enormous.

The program is so broad that you can take your studies in any direction you want. Soil science, plant science, water management, conservation, social science, agriculture… the list goes on.

3. Being a joint program makes you learn from completely different perspectives and teaching styles. One minute you’re talking NZ systems, the next you’re learning how Europe approaches the same issue. It forces you to think bigger than “how we’ve always done it.”

4. Growth. Yes cheesy, and it goes without saying, but moving to the other side of the world seriously changes your brain chemistry.

5. The friendships formed are amazing. You meet people from all over the world, and some even end up coming back to NZ with you. There’s something very special about meeting someone in Austria, then a few months later hiking the Kepler and taking them to the Fairlie Bakehouse.

6. The bread. Good lord, if what I have said before does nothing for you, then please. For your own sake, go for the bread!

If you’ve got this far and are sitting there with a curious (and slightly convinced) mind… email me at nicole.parnell@lincolnuni.ac.nz Written by Nicole Parnell

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RAM ISSUE 05 / JULY 2026

MOVIE REVIEW

The Horror of the “Hopeless Romantic”: The Infuriating Reality of Male Entitlement in Curry Barker’s - ‘Obsession’

By Zara Weissenstein

(Spoilers ahead)

“Be careful what you wish for!”; a trope we all know too well. Curry Barker’s Obsession brings a dark, supernatural twist to this classic, but if we strip away the supernatural horror elements, what are we left with?

A film that highlights a far more terrifying, real-world reality that women still face today: the blasé nature of modern society toward women’s autonomy, and the increasingly common men who believe they are owed our bodies, our love, and our minds.

For those of you who haven’t seen it yet (I did say there would be spoilers), the film follows our lead male character, Bear, a seemingly harmless music store employee who uses a supernatural toy, the “One Wish Willow,” to force his coworker and friend, Nikki, to “love him more than anyone else in the whole world”. What follows is her direct descent into madness. But what makes Obsession truly sickening isn’t the crazy behaviour Nikki displays as a result, or even the physical violence we see at the end; it’s the complete and utter eradication of her autonomy and ability to consent.

Before the wish, Nikki is a young woman trying to create a real life for herself. She is writing a novel, planning to quit her dead-end job, and exploring her identity, while actively considering her future and even trying to gauge her own feelings for Bear, openly asking him if he likes her. Bear, too cowardly to face potential rejection and unwilling to give Nikki the basic human dignity of time to figure out how she feels, strips her of her choices entirely. By forcing his desire onto her, he clips her wings and locks her in a psychological cage.

The horror peaks in a gut-wrenching scene where the real Nikki is briefly conscious in between being forced to experience her own body acting against her will, practically begging Bear to just kill her; to end the nightmare and pain she was in. I would say this is where we see Bear reach the point of no return. While he may not have been fully aware of how the wish would have affected Nikki in the beginning, he now knows that it is real and actively hurting the girl he claims to love. Yet, knowing everything he does now, Bear continues his refusal to accept even an ounce of responsibility for the psychological torture he has unleashed upon his so-called friend. He sees her terrifying, distorted devotion to him not as a violation of her humanity, but as a personal slight against him and his ideal relationship.

Bear is the cinematic depiction of a specific, exhausting archetype of men that women encounter way too often in their everyday lives. He is the epitome of the “nice guy” who weaponises his insecurity in order to manipulate those around him into giving him what he wants.

He is the man who believes that because he has a crush, he has some unspoken right to a woman’s affection and attention, and that she is somehow crazy or cruel if she

doesn’t immediately reciprocate.

Nothing encapsulates Bear’s chilling lack of self-awareness more than his line nearing the film’s climax: “Would it really be so bad? Loving me.” This line was designed to make your skin crawl, and as a woman, it does. In those seven words, Bear exposes his complete indifference to Nikki as a person, as opposed to his own ideal version of her. To him, her consent, her authentic feelings, and her mind are an annoying obstacle, and entirely secondary to his own ego, and he is furious with her that “she” isn’t acting the way he feels she should were she is truly “in love” with him. He genuinely views himself as the victim of the horror story he created, begging her to just submit to the violation and “be Nikki” because, in his eyes, his love is a gift she should be grateful for.

Perhaps the most alarming aspect of Obsession’s massive recent cultural footprint however, isn’t even what happens on screen; it’s how the public is reacting to it. In reviews, the film is frequently labelled as “silly” and a “dark comedy.” More sickeningly, the reports of entire theatres “gut laughing” during scenes where Nikki is emotionless and trapped in her own body, all while being forced to submit to Bear in bed. To witness a woman’s bodily autonomy being stripped away like this and to react with laughter is a damning indictment of our collective empathy as a society. It highlights a terrifyingly large portion of our population that cannot or perhaps refuses to understand the profound horror of how it feels for one’s consent to be erased. When we treat a literal and psychological rape as a punchline because it’s wrapped in the awkward trappings of a “nice guy’s” insecurity, we are proving exactly why men like Bear feel so comfortable taking what isn’t theirs in the real world.

Obsession works so well as a horror movie because it reflects a broader cultural apathy. We live in a society that still routinely treats women’s boundaries as negotiations or “suggestions” and views male persistence not as outright harassment, but as heroic romance.

And to top it all off, when at Bear’s wish, Nikki’s curse finally lifts at the end of the movie, it isn’t the triumph you’d expect for her. Nikki is left surrounded by the smouldering ruins of her own life, completely destroyed by this man who claimed to love her. We are left to speculate what happens to her after the end of the film, but it is highly speculated, including by Barker, that her life is most likely over, and she spends significant time in jail for the murder of her three friends, which she herself didn’t commit.

Barker’s film is a grim reminder that the most dangerous monsters aren’t the ones hiding in the dark or in a dark alleyway, as we might expect; they’re out in the open: the “harmless” boys who think our autonomy is theirs for the taking.

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Chris Chisholm

2025 LU Graduate

LU Graduate

Bachelor of Environmental Policy and Planning (Hons)

Ph.D. in Soil Microbiology

What was your original career goal when you started studying?

Honestly I wasn’t 100% sure, of course something ‘environmental’ was on my horizon, however it became more about relationships and interactions between land and people, which naturally led me to planning!

What was your biggest challenge you faced when looking for your first role after graduation?

Juggling job searching with uni. Unfortunately job searching is time consuming and sometimes emotionally draining.

‘Planning Graduate’ roles were coming out everywhere, once it hit March/April, and we of course, were still in the thick of Semester 1! There was also added pressure, when “Grad- roles” was all everyone around you was talking about!

Managing expectations and compromise. I told myself I could be flexible when looking for graduate roles in regard to, location, salary, start dates etc. On the other hand there are things I decided I needed from an employer. Strong company values, sector relevance, and opportunities for professional development.

How long did it take you to secure a position after finishing your studies?

Like I said, Graduate roles for Planning had started coming out in March/April. I was lucky enough to be interviewed by my current employer in early May and received an offer by mid May 2025.

What is your current role and what does a typical day look like for you in this role?

I’m a Graduate Planning Consultant. We help our clients to make sure developments and land use activities don’t negatively impact communities or the environment.

Days vary alot. Sometimes it’s writing resource consent applications, assessing environmental risks (to land, water, soils, even biosecurity), and getting to work with great technical experts, councils, developers and even iwi.

The cool thing about being a graduate is you get thrown into a range of projects, which gives you wide exposure to the sector in your first few years out of uni.

What was your career path to your current role?

Studying at Lincoln gave me lots of opportunities to build skills and relationships with industry people. I had supportive lecturers who were generous with their networks, giving us early insights into the profession.

I also completed several internships during the summer breaks, in both local and central government. That hands‑on experience helped me have a more practical understanding of the sector and made the transition into my graduate role feel much more natural.

What was your original career goal when you started studying?

Originally, I had planned to complete a B.Ag.Sci. and return to sheep shearing; however, after my first semester I almost dropped out because I found most of the courses boring. This changed in my second semester, when I took soil science and was immediately intrigued. As my undergraduate studies progressed, my interest in soil science deepened until I decided to pursue postgraduate studies in this area.

What was your biggest challenge you faced when looking for your first role after graduation?

My experience may not be typical of most LU graduates, as I moved to Europe to pursue a postdoctoral position.

My biggest challenge was establishing myself as an unknown researcher within an established scientific community during a period of geopolitical uncertainty and significant reductions in research funding.

How long did it take you to secure a position after finishing your studies?

I had a short-term contract within 6 months; however, I am still looking for something permanent and this can take time.

What is your current role and what does a typical day look like for you in this role?

Currently, I am a Visiting Researcher. A typical day involves a balance of laboratory and computer-based work.

I am establishing and optimising qPCR protocols for the research group I work with while also analysing and interpreting experimental data.

Tips and tricks for students finishing up their studies?

Do a PhD but also take up as many opportunities that are offered to you as possible. These can get you established and known in the spaces you want to work in, bring in experience, and open more doors in the future.

For those considering a career in academia or research, I recommend reaching out to potential employers as early as possible. I also encourage attending as many conferences as you can, as they provide invaluable opportunities to build your professional network and meet people in the field.

My experience so far is that your grades or expertise often don’t matter as much as who you know.

People won’t ask about that C- you got in your second year, but they’ll remember you for the conversations and perspectives you bring to the table, so practice networking and talking to people. You’ll never know where your next opportunity will come from!

Tips and tricks for students finishing up their studies?

You would have heard it all before, but some companies see hundreds of applications. So you need a point of difference.

So, experience matters! It doesn’t need to be paid necessarily, but the more the better. Don’t forget about any volunteering you’ve done, plus any clubs and associations you’re apart of! Make a C.V. and then go see Michelle’s amazing team at the Career Centre, and ask them to help give it a glow up!

Your dream job may not be your first job. This isn’t to say you just take any old job and give up all your preferences just for the sake of it though. However, sometimes there are realistic compromises you can make and graduate roles aren’t the be all end all. You don’t have to sign a contract, start a job and just die there! If you’re not enjoying it, or being treated fairly, you have the means to leave. Don’t ever let any job or salary take away your dreams, curiosity and passions!

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RECENT GRADUATES

Grace O’Shaughnessy

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RAM ISSUE 05 / JULY 2026 RAM ISSUE 05 / JULY 2026

By Anthony Barker

On Friday, the 15th of May, the Lincoln Hunting Club embarked on its second trip of the year. With a perfect weather forecast, 24 members made the journey through the Lewis Pass to Palmer Lodge.

The club arrived at the lodge at midday, where we split into several different parties and spread across the Lake Sumner Recreational Hunting Area. With a combination of the hunting parties camping on the mountain tops or in huts along the river bed, everyone was set and ready for a big day of hunting on Saturday.

After an early start on Saturday morning, ready before sunrise, members were excited and ready to hunt red deer and Chamois. Everyone saw a good number of animals, which made the hunting exciting. Across the weekend, 10 deer and 1 chamois were shot. Plenty of hunters were thick in the action, where several were able to shoot their first deer. With so many deer being shot, it made the trip a real success, filling freezers and getting a few prized animals. After a long day in the hills and lots of walking for some groups, everyone returned to the Palmer Lodge for Saturday dinner. The evening was filled with plenty of stories, games, and a few well-earned beverages around the campfire.

On Sunday morning, we began heading home to Lincoln. A big thank you goes to all the club members who helped make the trip happen and made it such an enjoyable weekend. Also, to NZDA for accommodating us and keeping the lodge in such good condition. Finally, thanks to LUSA for their support towards the trip.

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A SEMESTER OF FAITH, UNITY, & TOGETHERNESS

The past semester has been really busy for the LU Muslim Association (LUMA), with several events and get-togethers. The events brought the campus students and alumni together with the purpose of strengthening faith, unity, togetherness, and belonging on campus.

During the holy month of Ramadhan, LUMA organized weekly iftars with the help of the generous contributions of the LU alumni. These iftars provided a welcoming environment to the students, alumni, and Lincoln Muslim community to break their fast together and have a spiritual, meaningful, and enjoyable Ramadhan experience.

Followed by Ramadhan on the day of Eid al-Fitr, LUMA also organized an Eid prayer in the LU GYM. To ensure that students who were away from their families could also enjoy the festive occasion, LUMA distributed an Eid meal box to all Muslim students on campus. This initiative was widely appreciated among students.

Later in the semester, LUMA organized a very happening Eid feast on the day of Eid al-Adha, bringing members and the Lincoln Muslim Community together to share a delicious meal and celebrate one of the most important occasions in the Islamic calendar. There was also a henna stall, which was enjoyed and appreciated by many attendees. Furthermore, sweet boxes were distributed to Muslim students, allowing everyone to take part in the celebrations even if they were unable to attend the event.

We are also thankful to LUSA for a wholesome food grant that made our event more enjoyable.

In addition to that, in the past semester, LUMA welcomed many new members during Clubs Market Day, which reflects the growing interest in the association.

We are thankful to our volunteers, sponsors, and LUSA for their continued support. We look forward to another exciting semester filled with opportunities to support, connect, and celebrate together.

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Lincoln University Students’ Association

International Student Dinner At Indian Dreams Rolleston 63 Tennyson Street, Rolleston

Wed 5th August, 5.30pm–8pm Enjoy a delicious Indian buffet dinner and connect with fellow international students.

LU

Students Only

Tickets $10 + Booking Fee *Includes dinner & a non-alcoholic drink

LUSA SOCIALS FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS AND STAY IN THE LOOP WITH ALL OUR EVENTS

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RAM ISSUE 05 / JULY 2026

FROM THE CHAPLAIN’S DESK. Kia ora koutou, Welcome to Semester 2 of 2026.

A welcome back to returning students and a very warm welcome to those students who are just starting out with their academic studies here at Lincoln University.

The chaplaincy office is an independent support service for students, and is open for free, confidential support especially in the areas of faith and spiritual guidance.

While the chaplaincy team is Christian, we are open to having conversations with all people, no matter what their faith background is.

All our conversations are confidential and will in no way impact your study or visa status.

Please feel free to reach out at any time.

We can be a very good support if you are going through any life crisis, and can really help with talking through grief, stress, homesickness, culture shock or anxiety issues. We also offer an emergency foodbank service.

A unique yet very beneficial offering from the chaplaincy team are free Conversational English classes for those who are new to NZ, and for whom English is a second or third language.

Every Thursday, 12.00pm – 1.30pm Masters House 2 Building Wishing you all the best with your studies through semester 2 2026 and feel free to stop by the chaplains office on the Ground floor of the Forbes building just beside the main Student Visitor reception area.

You can also send a message directly to the chaplains email address to make a specific appointment. I’m on campus Wednesday, Thursday and every 2nd Monday.

Ngā mihi nui Rev Craig Fairhall chaplains@lincoln.ac.nz

Nominations are open for the Waitaha Canterbury International Student Awards 2026 Nominations close: 5pm, 17 July

Nominate today

FREE ENGLISH CONVERSATION CLASS

Thursdays 12-1.30pm Masters House 2 Starts 23 July.

Every week during the teaching semester.

Look for the Yellow Flag at the entrance.

Building 125 on the LU campus map.

All are welcome, Students, staff and their families.

Chaplains@lincoln.ac.nz

Provided by LU Chaplains

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2026 Golden Spade winners highest score in the soils round

The NZ Soil Judging team in Nanjing, China

1. What’s the vibe of your club in three words?

Relaxed, chaotic, snow deluded!

2.

If you had to design a “student survival kit” for the snow, what are the three essentials (besides instant noodles)?

An Emotional Support Kit: Broken ice axe, blind confidence to out last a cold southerly, and an LSD cap to keep the head slightly warmer.

3. Thermal layers: yes or no?

Nah Thermals are overrated - skiing/boarding in stubbies is where it’s at!

4. Chairlift chats or silent suffering?

Chairlift chats are a must. Gotta start converting people to the LSD way.

5.

What’s the most unhinged thing you’ve seen someone wear on the slopes that was clearly “borrowed” from a flatmate?

Saw the LSD President wear a tutu and fairy wings in a competition that has definitely been borrowed from a flatmates closet.

6. Best memory from this year so far?

Having a wicked time up at the Craigieburn Lodge, initiating all the freshers to the club.

7.

What’s coming up that people should know about?

•

Night Ski: Mt Hutt, 27-28 July (backup date: 25-26 September) Perfect for a day of skiing and then enjoying an evening on the slopes in Canterbury.

LSD x LUTCC Winter Retro Mountaineering Ball: 7-8th August Dress to impress with a twist. Held at Craigieburn Lodge.

More details to come.

Girls Ski Trip: 24-25th July LSD hosting a Winter Getaway for the boys.

Whether you’re a beginner or a pro or just want to come along for a few drinks, we’d be so happy to have you - From the LSD girls oxox

• • •

What’s your top tip for staying warm in a Christchurch winter that doesn’t involve turning the heat on (because, power bill trauma)?

Adopt the “human burrito” technique. Wrap yourself in every blanket you own and shuffle around the house like a very determined caterpillar.

Effective. Dignified? Debatable.

On Monday the 11th of May, the LU Soil Society (LUSS) held their annual quiz night at the Grouse in Lincoln. This event has been running since 2014 and has been supported fantastically since.

This year’s event sold out, with undergraduates, postgraduates, and staff joining – whether they were enthusiastic about soil or not!

Along with the overall quiz winners, the infamous Golden Spade was up for grabs for the highest scoring team in the soil science themed round.

We were impressed by this year’s winners who were able to name all the NZ Soil Classifications, name the Munsell colour of goethite, and describe the percentage of sand/silt/clay in a sandy clay loam!

All funds raised went towards the all-women team of Lincoln University students to attend the 5th International Soil Judging Competition, which was held in Nanjing, China at the start of June.

There was plenty of feedback suggesting that we hold another quiz night to fundraise for the New Zealand Soil Judging Competition that will be held in Canterbury at the start of December, so keep your eyes peeled! If you are interested in learning about soil judging or want to get involved in training and the competition, please reach out or join LUSS! A big thank you to everyone who came along, and to LUSA for supporting this event!

8.

2026 LUSS Quiz Night Winners

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Second-place team!

Third-place team!

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RAM ISSUE 05 / JULY 2026

ARTICLE IN RESPONSE: ‘Let’s Get Political’ (Published in RAM - Issue #4) Written by Zoran Rakovic Independent Candidate for Selwyn Electorate

Let’s Get Political.

Then Let’s Get to Work.

There is an old story sold to young people, usually by people who bought their houses before houses became a speculative sport. It goes like this: work hard, behave yourself, keep your head down, pass your exams, borrow politely, suffer quietly, and one day the system will shake your hand and call you successful.

It is a beautiful story. So is Cinderella. The difference is that Cinderella at least got a pumpkin.

Many students are now discovering that the bargain has changed without anyone having the courtesy to call a meeting.

They did the homework. They got the grades. They made it to university. Then they found that the hardest paper was not economics, biology, engineering, law, or commerce. It was rent.

Followed closely by groceries, petrol, bus fares, course costs, dental bills, and the delicate art of smiling at a lecturer after sleeping four hours because your part-time job has quietly become your second degree.

So yes, let’s get political.

But let us be careful. Politics is not merely the noble act of noticing that something is wrong, though that is already more than many professional politicians manage before lunchtime.

Politics is not only writing the sharp article, making the brave speech, posting the excellent comment, or discovering that the word “systemic” can be inserted into almost any sentence and make it look as if it has been to university.

Those things matter. Words matter. Articles matter. Questions matter. But they are the match, not the fire.

Max Weber, who had the decency to make politics sound as difficult as it actually is, described it as

E

ARTICLE ON

ICE STUDENT VO

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LET’S GET POLITICA

reward you. system will down, and the , keep your head the right thing Work hard, do same deal I did? the hard part. hearing the be up to sed grow you?

Did you wouldn't That was suppo it—because why edge? made it to uni. and your You bought falling off the grades, and rent was due work, got the week away from nt? back because So, you did the you're one bad ly put things than the conte it still feel like the shift more or did you quiet nt support Then why does you needed you needed, for) because lly buy what weather. Stude up" like the Did you actua (ones you paid more than your ps don't "dry you skipped grocery shop. ered arshi have last matt res Schol your m. what lectu Think about and decided ? How many of this is rando d at a budget had other ideas political: none ce looke isn't one balan nd bank to prete where, some we're meant decisions. Some Here's the part ent. These are out" by accid doesn't "thin ning. without drow ability to study comes next.

I know what it political”.

“Don't make ng lists endless waiti your degree”. your fees, the r.

“Just focus on these days”. n that favou lain too much It's in your rent, cs won't retur over your life.

“Students comp cs, but politi its hands all can ignore politi cs already has to quit. You second. Politi you can't afford honest for a But let's be part-time job get for years to need, and the gs you rt savin for suppo ed together family scrap one's. second. chance their loss. It's every theatre for a ever shifts There's a good e isn't just their your lecture nights, what s prepared? s because failur Look around mornings, late who's alway ack full of brick working early the front row s lazy. They're ure like a backp The person in They're not same calculation carry that press survival. re running the looks exhausted? them here. They ts. Study and inside, they' who always but itmen back for? the ents, this comm at of mom ime was any The person at the right ng two full-t ay? If I fail, what fine and laugh They're juggli anyw look get. fail I can They they e you. more, will the person besid hours? If I work more work Then there's I , can drop one paper you are: If I same pressure. about it?

Different lives, we'll stay polite we call that? ions, nts, hoping back, what do don’t ask quest bill onto stude getting less ct the dots, ly shifting the ing harder and e, don't conne a system quiet If we're all work s: don't notic Bad luck? Or line really mean iving crisis"?

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So, let’s get

They z, and they anyone at LUSA. s@lusa.og.n reach out to out to comm need, please al, please reach or support you Let’s Get Politic want to raise in the series, concern you in the next article If you have a your voice heard And, if you want

the “slow and strong boring of hard planks.” That is not a slogan designed for a hoodie. It does not fit neatly on a sticker. It does not trend well. Nobody cheers wildly when you announce that democracy requires the patient drilling of timber.

But Weber was right. Politics is hard planks.

It is reading the budget line nobody else reads. It is attending the meeting where three citizens turned up, the sandwiches are stale and the answer was decided before the consultation began. It is asking officials the same question three times because the first two answers were fog dressed as information. It is organising the students who are too tired to organise, the families too busy to complain, and the workers too polite to say they are being squeezed.

It is not glamorous. If politics looks glamorous, someone is probably selling you something.

A good article can say: students are under pressure. Hard politics asks: which department made the decision, which Minister signed it,

which budget line was cut, which promise was broken, which consultation was fake, which lobbyist was heard, which community was ignored, and who is going to be made to answer in public?

That is where the real work begins.

Because “the system” is a useful phrase, but it is also a convenient hiding place. Blaming the system “in general” can become a holiday for the guilty “in particular”. Somewhere there is a file note. Somewhere there is a Cabinet paper. Somewhere there is a funding formula. Somewhere there is a committee minute.

Somewhere there is an official who knows exactly when the burden was shifted from the institution to the student, from the government to the family, from the future to the present.

Find that somewhere.

That is politics. And it is not left versus right in the shallow theatrical sense, where both sides take turns promising rescue while quietly training citizens to wait for permission. It is deeper than that. It is the question of

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whether ordinary people still have the strength, organisation, and courage to insist that public decisions be dragged into public daylight.

A student skipping meals is not a statistic. It is evidence.

A young person working nights and failing by inches is not a personal weakness. It is evidence.

A family scraping savings together while government lectures them about resilience is not a charming example of Kiwi grit.

It is evidence.

But evidence must be carried.

It must be gathered, ordered, repeated, submitted, argued, defended, and forced onto the desks of people who would much rather admire youth engagement from a safe distance.

So write the article. Then form the group. Then collect the stories.

Then ask for the documents. Then attend the meeting. Then question the MP. Then question the council.

Then question the university. Then question the Ministry. Then keep going when the first reply says, in thirty-seven polished words, absolutely nothing.

That is the slow boring of hard planks.

King’s Birthday weekend was spent in Lake Hood, just out of Ashburton, with a trip to the Ashburton District Council’s Glow in the Park at the Domain. Over 3 nights, the park hosted 45,000 people.

With 4 kids in tow and 2 adults, we set out across the gardens and into the domain. First stop was to get the kids free glow-in-the-dark temporary tattoos from the team at Mid Canterbury Children’s Trust, and a few snaps with some pretty impressive displays, especially the larger-than-life DJ Octopus. After that, we walked through the dinosaur exhibition, which hosts a different theme with 2025 having an ‘underwater’ theme. Alongside the dinosaurs was a microphone that transformed your voice into the sound of a dinosaur, which the boys loved! After that, it was straight to the Amusement Zone for some rides, where our little adrenaline lovers got their rush on the Super Trooper and Skyfighter, which was very brave of them, I thought.

After burning off some nervous energy, it was time to indulge at the outdoor Food Court. Gourmet burgers and fries, mini donuts, Fritz Weiners, churros with chocolate and caramel sauce, pork Bánh mì, and fizzy to wash it all down, our cravings were satisfied.

On the way out, we hit up The Hits (see what I did there), Silient Disco, where we grabbed a headset and danced like nobody’s watching.

With the kids demanding blow-up green aliens and us parents saying no, we distracted them with some more creative installations of glowing gardens and an incredible dragon. Hearts and bellies full, it was time to head home.

This event is now in its 5th year, and we have been attending for 3 years in a row. Free entry, something for all ages, not too far from Christchurch, and on a long weekend every year, makes for a ‘glowing’ recommendation. (Yup, did it again!)

Democracy is not saved by outrage alone. Outrage is a good alarm clock, but a poor architect.

It wakes you up; it does not build the house. And young people do not need to be told merely to care.

Many already care. They are exhausted because they care while also working, studying, paying, borrowing, and wondering whether the adults in charge have mistaken their silence for consent.

The next step is to turn pressure into organisation, organisation into scrutiny, and scrutiny into consequence. So yes: let’s get political. But after we get political, let’s get practical.

Let’s stop treating politics as a distant sport played by party professionals in Wellington while everyone else pays the ticket price. Let’s treat it as the work of citizens who have finally learned that keeping your head down only makes it easier for someone else to put their foot on your neck.

The plank is hard. The drill is slow.

Start anyway. theram.org.nz

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RAM ISSUE 05 / JULY 2026

Chinese Culture Festival Brings Food, Culture & Community to LU The Lincoln University Chinese Students’ Association (LUCSA) proudly hosted the annual Chinese Culture Festival, bringing together students, staff, and members of the wider community for a day of cultural exchange, entertainment, and celebration.

The festival transformed the campus into a vibrant cultural hub, offering visitors the opportunity to experience different aspects of Chinese culture through food, performances, interactive activities, and exhibitions.

One of the highlights of the event was the international food experience, featuring six different cuisines from around the world. Visitors were able to explore a variety of flavours while learning about the role food plays in connecting cultures and communities. Attendees also enjoyed a range of traditional Chinese cultural activities, including Chinese tea appreciation and hands-on cultural experiences.

These activities provided an opportunity for participants to learn about the history and traditions behind Chinese customs engagingly and interactively. Adding a modern element to the festival, visitors were invited to explore the latest Chinese new energy vehicles (NEVs). The vehicle display attracted significant interest, allowing attendees to learn more about China’s advancements in sustainable transportation technology and innovation. Throughout the day, audiences were entertained by a variety of traditional Chinese performances. One of

the most memorable moments was the spectacular fire-breathing performance, which drew large crowds and showcased the excitement and artistry of traditional Chinese entertainment. The festival also featured free food samples, giveaways, and prize draws, creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere for visitors of all backgrounds.

Many attendees participated in activities throughout the event for a chance to win prizes while learning more about Chinese culture.The Chinese Culture Festival demonstrated the diversity and richness of Chinese culture while providing an inclusive space for cultural exchange at Lincoln University.

LUCSA would like to thank all volunteers, performers, sponsors, and attendees who helped make the event a success.

We look forward to continuing to share Chinese culture with the Lincoln University community through future events and celebrations. Get Involved with LUCSA. The Chinese Culture Festival is just one of many events organised by the Lincoln University Chinese Students’ Association (LUCSA).

Throughout the year, LUCSA hosts cultural festivals, social gatherings, sports events, networking opportunities, and student support activities for the Lincoln University community. Students are encouraged to connect with LUCSA through our WeChat and Instagram platforms to stay updated on upcoming events and opportunities.

Membership Card: LUCSA offers a free membership card system for all Lincoln University students.

Chinese students can receive a free LUCSA Membership Card by adding our official WeChat account.

Non-Chinese students can receive a free LUCSA Membership Card by following our Instagram accounts.

Membership card holders receive: • Free access to all LUCSAorganised events throughout the year • Priority access to selected activities and giveaways • Access to exclusive student discounts through LUCSA partner businesses.

Simply present your LUCSA Membership Card when attending LUCSA events to enjoy these benefits. Scan the QR codes below to join the LUCSA community and claim your free membership card today.

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theram.org.nz

34

RAM ISSUE 05 / JULY 2026

SPORTS & HEALTHY LIVING INITATVE The purpose of the Sports and Healthy Living Initiative is to maximise sport and active recreation opportunities for Lincoln University students, to ensure their continued health and wellbeing.

The following can apply for this funding; • • • •

Lincoln University student groups or clubs Individual Lincoln University students Lincoln University sports clubs Lincoln University staff or student representatives

The next funding round applications are due on August 31 at 5pm. If you are interested, then please contact alumni@lincoln.ac.nz and if you are a LUSA club on campus contact clubs@lusa.org.nz

Ice Skating Trip – Alpine Sports Centre

New line markings on the courts

3x3 Basketball in Auckland

35

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Use this Uni Student exclusive code online NLBTU

Show your Uni Student ID and scan this barcode instore

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SAVE THE DATE: GARDEN PARTY

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36

RAM ISSUE 05 / JULY 2026

Korean Traditional Culture Day The Forbes Lawn came alive on 21 May with the sounds of laughter, the rustle of hanbok, and the thwack of wooden arrows finding their mark. Despite a breezy day that kept everyone on their toes, students turned out in impressive numbers for our Traditional Korean Culture Day, a hands-on celebration of Korean heritage open to the whole school community.

At the heart of the event were six traditional Korean games, each with its own twist to keep things competitive.

In Tuho (arrow throwing), participants had to land three arrows into a narrow pot, deceptively tricky when the wind had other ideas.

Biseokchigi (stone throwing) asked players to balance a stone on their forehead, walk a few steps, then tilt their head to knock over a standing stone, a test of composure as much as aim.

Jegichagi fans attempted to kick a weighted shuttlecock, while Gonggi (a Korean take on jacks) challenged players to toss stones, flip them onto the back of the hand, and catch as many as possible in one swift move.

Gulleongssoe (hoop rolling) sent participants steering a large hoop all the way around the lawn in a full circle, and in Yutnori, players threw the traditional yut sticks hoping to land a yut or mo, the two highest-scoring throws, to claim victory.

Winners walked away with a well-earned prize from a spread that included songpyeon (traditional rice cakes), Korean sheet masks,

snacks, and instant cup noodles. The cup noodles, it turns out, were the first to go.

A dedicated corner invited everyone to try writing their name in Hangeul on a whiteboard, one of the most popular stops of the day. Once they saw their name written out, most reached straight for their phones.

What made the day especially meaningful was discovering just how many people already had a thread connecting them to Korea.

Participants shared stories of working in Korea, of learning Hangeul out of personal interest, of family members who had married into Korean families, and more than a few noted that their own cultures had remarkably similar traditional games.

These small moments of recognition turned a fun afternoon into something that felt genuinely cross-cultural.

But perhaps just as special were those for whom this was entirely new ground, maybe even their first real conversation with someone Korean. For them, that thread was woven right there on the lawn. Our hope is that when they look back on this semester, this is one of those afternoons they remember with a smile, a day that was simply, genuinely fun.

It was a reminder that sharing culture isn’t just about teaching, it’s about finding the connections that were already there, and creating the ones that weren’t. Thank you to everyone who came out, played along, and made the day so worthwhile.

37

Last year, the ‘Bra Donation Collection’ the club coordinated on campus, was given to ‘Project Uplift’. The organiser sent through some photos of the women in the Pacific Islands receiving these items at the start of this year, when the bras were delivered. If you would like to give to this year’s donation drive, please drop your bras at LUSA, ground floor of the Forbes building.

Aviva Street Appeal This year, the club joined many other collectors across the country on 22 - 23 May, to collect for Aviva. Aviva is an organisation based in Canterbury whose vision is “Everyone deserves to live free from violence”. Aviva supports people of any age, gender, sexuality, or experience of violence to not only become safe, but also achieve a fulfilling, violence-free life.

The club’s collection site was The Fresh Choice in Prebbleton.

Thank you to all of you who gave up an hour in volunteer service. Our mahi raised $485.10, of which every dollar goes towards supporting individuals and whānau across Canterbury to live free from violence – and that’s something truly powerful.

They had some sponsors who had given $10,000 as a Match Giving campaign, which meant that if anyone gave through the QR code found on our buckets, they would match the value.

Together, we raised $25,880 from the street appeal, and when combined with the Match Giving campaign and online donations pushed through the QR codes on your buckets, we raised a total of $38,330! The biggest thank you, and if you want to support us next year, let the club know.

Thanks to everyone who came and participated in the activities we hosted during Marama Hauora. Below is a selection of photos from these events. Keep an eye out for the digital screens for new events to participate in during semester 2.

theram.org.nz

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R 18

RAM ISSUE 05 / JULY 2026

$35 LUSA .FLICKET.CO.NZ LUSA .FLICKET.CO.NZ

tic ke ts +Booking Fees

7–11.30pm | Tai Tapu Hotel

39

Recruitment has begun for 2027. If you would like to learn more about volunteering as a Kaiwhakarite Tauira, scan the QR code below or email experience@lincoln. ac.nz to register your interest. You must have had a minimum of one semester here at Lincoln uni to be eligible.

Reminder that we are here to support you whilst you are at uni. We can connect you to support services, connect you to LUSA clubs on campus, and we also meet every Tuesday over lunch break.

You are welcome to join us to meet other students and feel less lonely on campus.

If you enjoy the outdoors, then keep an eye out for our upcoming hike in September, up Washpen Falls!

Posters will be up on the digital screens around campus with further information.

theram.org.nz

40

RAM ISSUE 05 / JULY 2026

Scrapping Fees Free: A Kick to the Gut While Students are Already Down Students’ associations across the country condemn the Government’s decision to scrap the Fees Free tertiary education scheme in the Budget 2026. This decision will shift costs onto students and households, drive graduates overseas, and will severely weaken New Zealand’s ability to build the skilled workforce required for productivity, public services, and long-term economic resilience.

The Finance Minister, Nicola Willis, has confirmed the scheme will end following remarks from Winston Peters, ahead of Budget Day on 28 May. While current settings may preserve eligibility for some learners already in the system, the Government has confirmed that future learner cohorts will lose support that has lowered barriers, reduced debt, and enabled more New Zealanders to access study and vocational training.

There is no indication that any relief for student’s cost of living or for student debt will take place.

Aidan Donoghue, President of the Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association, says: “The Government’s decision to abolish Fees Free is a retrograde step that will materially increase barriers to tertiary participation. At a time when many households are experiencing acute cost pressures, this move will saddle students with more eye-watering debt, deter capable New Zealanders from upskilling and will widen inequities in access and completion.”

Fees Free was established to support participation by reducing financial barriers and hardship at the point of entry and completion.

Removing it is likely to entrench existing disparities, with disproportionate impacts for Māori and Pacific learners, disabled learners, students from low-income backgrounds, and first-in-family students.

“Education is a right, not a privilege. The decision to scrap Fees Free places further barriers in front of ākonga (learners) at a time where the cost of living is already pushing many out of tertiary education, especially disabled learners. Ākonga should not have their rights to education and their future treated as political bargaining chips” says Nikita Van Dijk, Co-President of the National Disabled Students’ Association.

New Zealand’s skills pipeline depends on a coherent tertiary system that values vocational education and training alongside university and postgraduate pathways. The Government should not present this as an either/or proposition. A credible approach would strengthen access across the system, rather than withdrawing support from one pathway in order to fund another.

We call on the Government to: • Reverse the decision to scrap Fees Free in Budget 2026 and maintain eligibility for future cohorts.

• Confirm transparent transition arrangements for learners currently enrolled or preparing to commence study in 2026.

• Confirm its commitment to both national and international agreements, such as the New Zealand Disability Strategy 2026-2030 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) by ensuring there are strong, accessible pathways to all forms of tertiary education.

• Release the full advice, costings, and distributional analysis informing this decision, including impacts by income, region, Māori and Pacific learners, and disabled learners, prior to any legislative change.

• Engage with students and providers on a long-term, evidence-based tertiary funding strategy that lifts participation and completion without increasing hardship or student debt.

Donoghue says: “Budget decisions reflect political priorities. If the Government is serious about lifting productivity, strengthening public services, and ensuring opportunity is not determined by family income, it should retain Fees Free and invest in learners—rather than shifting costs onto those least able to absorb them.”

Signed: Aidan Donoghue, President of Te Aka Tauira - Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association Seamus Lohrey, President of Te Awa Kōtui - Waikato Students’ Union Daniel Leamy, President of Otago University Students’ Association James Portegys, President of Auckland University of Technology Students Association Eloise Fleming and Nikita Van Dijk, Co-Presidents of the National Disabled Students’ Association (NDSA) Nimish Milan Singh, President of Te Rōpū Kahikatea - Auckland University Students’ Association Zara Weissenstein, President of the Lincoln University Students’ Association

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Open Day 2026

theram.org.nz

42

RAM ISSUE 05 / JULY 2026

NASTYSCOPES OFFENSIVE BUT FUNNY HOROSCOPES...LOVE-LIFE SPECIAL

You’re outrageously magnetic this month. Expect compliments, admirers, and at least one person making terrible decisions because you smiled at them once. Stay humble.

Or don’t, you weren’t going to anyway.

You want emotional intimacy, deep eye contact, and someone who messages back within seven minutes.

Your horoscope suggests a dramatic crush and at least one over-analysis of a single emoji.

(July 23 – August 22)

(June 21 – July 22)

You’re trying to organise your life, but somehow your romantic life looks like a spreadsheet created during a power outage. Stop overthinking. Not every mildly attractive person needs a full background investigation.

Romance follows you around like a badly behaved puppy. You’ll be flirted with heavily, but your inability to choose between options may leave everyone confused, including yourself.

(September 23 – October 22)

(August 23 – September 22)

Your love life looks like an adventure with poor planning. You may catch feelings while travelling, partying, or standing next to someone at 2am discussing conspiracy theories.

Be careful what promises you make after midnight.

Your mysterious energy is at dangerous levels. You’ll say something vaguely suggestive, disappear for two days, and somehow become more attractive because of it.

Menace behaviour. Classic Scorpio.

(November 22 – December 21)

(October 23 – November 21)

You’re attracting people through sheer weirdness. Someone will absolutely fall for your oddly specific rant about something nobody asked about.

Romance is possible, if you remember to answer messages.

You act emotionally unavailable, yet somehow people keep trying to “fix” you. This month: unexpected chemistry with someone equally sarcastic. Try having feelings.

Just once. As an experiment.

(December 22 – January 19)

(January 20 – February 18)

Romance is looking suspiciously spicy.

Someone may mistake your aggressive flirting for emotional availability. Don’t ruin the illusion too quickly. If single, expect chemistry with someone who seems like a terrible idea, which, for an Aries, basically means soulmate material.

Your romantic delusions are Oscar-worthy this month.

You’ll mistake one meaningful glance for destiny. Still, the stars suggest flirtation, fantasy, and maybe finally learning that “potential” is not a personality. ( February 19 – March 20)

(March 21 – April 19)

Your flirting style continues to be “say six contradictory things and disappear for three hours.” Somehow, it works.

This month, you may accidentally end up in a situationship just because you didn’t know how to leave the conversation.

Luxury, snacks, and mild seduction are your vibe. You’re one scented candle away from turning your flat into a suspiciously romantic cave. Someone finds your stubbornness attractive.

Weirdly attractive.

(April 20 – May 20)

(May 21 – June 20)

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7 1 5 4 8 2 1 6 3 9

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9 3 7

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4 2 7 5

Difficulty: easy #30916

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RIDDLES

How many words of three or more letters, including plurals, can you make from the six letters, using each letter only once? No foreign words or words beginning with a capital are allowed.

1.

2.

Goals: Meh, Alright—4

D

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WORD-BUILDER

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3

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Difficulty: hardest

I can walk on walls and taste with my feet. What am I? I open to speak and close to keep quiet, but I have no voice of my own. What am I? A woman walks into a store, buys something small, and leaves without paying. The owner thanks her. Why? What breaks but never falls?

What has a heart but does not beat?

1. A Fly 2. Lips 3. The woman is a waitress buying a meal for a coworker. 4. Morning 5.0 Artichoke

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8 7

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SUDOKU

theram.org.nz

RAM ISSUE 05 / JULY 2026

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

44

RAM RELEASE FOLLOW US FOR FREE HOTDOGS* 13TH JULY, 12.30PM UNTIL WE RUN OUT GROUNDED LUNCH ON LUSA:

WINTER BALL 14TH JULY 7PM–11.30PM WOOLSTON CLUB

BURGERS* 15TH JULY, 12.30PM UNTIL WE RUN OUT GROUNDED

LU STUDENT

G ENER L ADM ISSIA ON

CLUBS PIZZA MARKET LUNCH ON LUSA:

*

SENSORY SESSION: 16TH JULY LOW 10AM–10.30AM LU GYM ALL STUDENTS: 10.30AM–1PM

SEEDTHE T U O L O S SNOW

SKI BUS: 7AM–6PM SEE THE SNOW BUS: 9AM–4.30PM

AT MT HUTT SKI FIELD, 18TH JULY

*VEG, VEGAN & GF OPTIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE.

LUSA.ORG.NZ/REORI

17TH JULY, 12.30PM UNTIL WE RUN OUT GROUNDED