Issue 4 - The Kids are Alright by Salient

SA L I E N T

ISSUE O4

The K ids are Alright

www.salient.org.nz

CONTENTS 05-13

12-14

News

Project Bloom (Feature)

Parenting Advice (Feature)

20-21

22-23

Centerfold

Reminisce & Repeat (Feature)

24-25

26-35

36-38

Film Review

Culture & Columns

Entertainment

18-19 Worlds Away but Closer Than Ever (Feature)

About Us Salient is published by, but remains editorially independent from, the Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association (VUWSA). Salient is funded in part by VUWSA through the Student Services Levy. Salient is a member of the Aotearoa Student Press Association (ASPA). The views expressed in Salient do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor, VUWSA, or the University. Complaints Complaints regarding the material published in Salient should first be brought to the Editor in writing (editor@salient.org.nz). If not satisfied with the response, complaints should be directed to the Media Council (info@mediacouncil.org.nz).

15-17

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Coming of Age Looks Different to Everyone EDITORIAL Between the ages of 12 and 15, I was a misogynist. I’ve tried phrasing that in a more digestible way, but there’s no sugar-coating the truth. It started in intermediate, when gender roles and puberty onset, creating new differences between boys and girls. My adolescent brain reframed my girl friends as ‘competition’ but also as ‘other.’ I didn’t allow myself to feel valid in my femininity; girly things were to be ridiculed and scoffed at. I was quick to label women ‘sluts’ and ‘whores’ simply for having bodies I was jealous of and clothes I did not have the confidence to wear. I lived for the male gaze, to garner male validation that confirmed I was not, in fact, like the other girls. My vendetta against women peaked in my Year 10 English class, where I wrote a speech defending men’s rights and delivered it with the passion of a slam poem. I’ve buried the memory deep in my psyche, but when it bubbles to the surface, I physically cringe. My internalised misogyny was rampant, but unfounded. For me, coming of age was about learning and unlearning and relearning. Learning what feminism was, unlearning white feminism, relearning intersectional feminism. While we all push forward to progress with our feminism, I also value looking back to see how far I’ve come. My current relationship to womanhood is foundational to my identity, and I value it because I know how long it took me to get here. This process of unlearning might not take as long for today’s teenagers. I recently heard from a girl currently attending my old high school, who was a Year 9 when I was a Year 13. When I asked my Instagram followers what their hot takes were, she popped off. “The term ‘girlboss’ is problematic. It infantilizes the role of a female as a boss”, she announced, with a thumbs down emoji at the end for effect. So yes, when I ask you if the kids are alright, you may point out how they vape in the bathrooms

at school and record TikToks when they should be doing homework. But the kids are getting better at feminism, and I’m happy to call that a win. This issue discusses the different ways we come of age and the lessons we learned. Joanna comes of age through her relationship with her mother. Felicia comes of age through rituals and routines. Dylan comes of age alongside his favourite anime director. Lily comes of age by becoming a parent herself. Daisy comes of age by watching comingof-age films. This week, we at Salient want to know: Are the kids alright? Ngā manaakitanga,

JANHAVI GOSAVI (SHE/HER)

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Wellington City Council to Remove Library Fines: An ‘Overdue’ Policy for Late Books Words by Azaria Howell (she/her) The Wellington City Council have unanimously agreed to scrap library fines across all council libraries. This move comes after a successful campaign in Christchurch led by youth advocacy groups which called for the removal of all fines for overdue library books. In addition, Auckland Council Libraries cancelled debt for late library fines in September of 2021. Before this policy was agreed upon, an outstanding debt of $20 or more would essentially block members of the public from further borrowing from Wellington City Libraries. Wellington City Councillor Fleur Fitzsimmons told Salient that the removal of library fines was long overdue. “It will mean that people can use the Library without fear of ending up with debt collectors! Books will still need to be returned and the international experience is that books keep getting returned and that more people use libraries.” Fitzimmons added that the move was “great news for students.” The policy, proposed by Wellington City Councillor Rebecca Matthews, will be finalised and approved for the 2022–2023 Wellington City Council budget. Salient spoke to Matthews about the move, which she described as “fairer and more inclusive.”

Matthews agreed with Fitzsimmons that the removal of all library fines would reduce barriers to people accessing city libraries. In an interview with Salient, Matthews said, “I have heard from lots of people who built up fines when they were students and never came back […] it just means they stop coming back to the library if they can’t afford to pay.” The current level of overdue fines is $510,737. VUWSA President Ralph Zambrano told Salient the students’ association “commend[s] Wellington City Council’s progressive stance.” Zambrano added that this would “reduce and remove financial barriers for students”. Zambrano added that the policy was “way overdue but definitely a step in the right direction.” When asked if the university should remove late or overdue fees for on-campus library returns, Zambrano said “anything that reduces the cost for students on campus is something that we would support.” “It’s becoming harder for them to access the resources with learning and teaching, especially when it comes to dual delivery. So anything that goes towards making that accessible for them.”

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Present vs Past in Hunters Jubilee Game Words by Beth Mountford (she/her)

Saturday, 12 March saw the delayed 20th anniversary game of the Victoria University Hunters rugby league team. A team of old boys came back to campus to play the current university team in a one-off jubilee game.

“It was good for the boys to get their cobwebs out and dust the boots off,” he said.

A crowd gathered at Boyd-Wilson Arena in the sweltering afternoon sun for kick-off a little after 4 p.m. The atmosphere was energetic and friendly leading into a very lively first quarter. Shortly after kick-off a call from the referee incited a yell from one of the old boys “remember we’re old ref!” Scoring was opened for the present team by Matua Jeremy Braeburn after a break by captain Leo Fuimaono. The past hit back with a try from Jake Va’aua. The present crossed again when Lucas Rennie got on the end of a cut-out ball from rookie Dylan Leney. One fan, commenting on the progression of the game at half-time, said, “there’s some big hits, lots of hard solid runs, the games going off”. A present Hunters teammate said their strategy for the second half was to “hold the ball, tackle and score some tries, I guess.” The past came out stronger after the break, and took the lead with tries from James Tuiatua and Ryan Setefano. However, in the last minute of the game, Shriniketh “the world’s fastest Indian” Bharadwaj scored to tie it up with his first touch of the day. Tuna Talamaivao, the club captain, said “The game was awesome eh, we thought the old boys would be pushovers because they’re all older and supposedly busted up but we got a twelve-all draw and they really brought it today,” Jamal Tamaiva, premier coach, said he was happy with the outcome of the game.

Suspicious Fires at VUW Chinese Research Centre Suspected Political Arson Words by Ethan Manera (he/him) Two fires which broke out at the Contemporary Chinese Research Centre in the last six months are being treated as suspicious. The building at 18 Kelburn Parade, funded by the Victoria University of

Wellington, also houses an organisation called the Confucius Institute, a global education program partly funded by a partner university (Xiamen University) and the Chinese government.

The first fire which occurred on the evening of 1 Oct 2021 caused “significant damage” which led to the building sitting empty until the second fire took place on 1 Feb 2022. VUW has informed Salient that repairs are expected to cost near $500,000 and no one was injured in the fires.

Following controversy regarding CCP interference in the Confucius Institute in 2021, VUW and Xiamen University adjusted their agreement to ensure that the collaboration “does not affect, or in any way limit, the universities’ autonomy or academic and intellectual

The New Zealand Police have confirmed to Salient that the fires were an arson attempt. It is alleged that the suspicious fires are related to opposition of the Chinese government which has been widely criticised for human rights abuses and operating an authoritarian regime. Some are also suggesting that the fires could have been targeted racist attacks. Weeks before the first fire in October, the building had been targeted with graffiti stating anti-CCP messaging saying “the jig is up” and “Uyghur lives matter”. Both fires took place on days of national Chinese significance with the first occurring on the National Day of the People’s Republic of China and the second fire happened the morning of the Chinese New Year. The Confucius Institute, which is suspected to be the target of the fires, is a global Chinese education program with the aim to promote Chinese language teaching and cultural exchange through universities worldwide. The program has attracted controversy with some accusing it of advancing the Chinese government’s political agendas and undermining academic freedom as well as “engaging in industrial and military espionage”.

freedom”. VUW retains its “right to determine the content of the curriculum and the manner of instruction for all programmes administered by the Institute”. VUW Assistant Vice-Chancellor Rebecca Needham told Salient, “The University is satisfied that the Confucius Institute is set up in a way which aligns with [VUWs] values.” It is currently managed by a board appointed by both VUW and Xiamen University. Many are still unhappy with these measures undertaken and consider the alliance with Xiamen to be inextricably unethical. Jess Hawken, a VUW student who was awoken by the October fire, told Salient she heard explosions and smashing glass before going outside and seeing the building ablaze. “I went to investigate in my oodie and called 111 [...] the police and fire brigade arrived in about 15 minutes”. Jess said once she learned which building was the target of the fires she thought it may be “politically motivated” saying she saw “numerous spray painted symbols around the building.” VUW’s Contemporary China Research Centre reportedly found the fires “disruptive and troubling” with the project’s director Dr Jason Young saying “reports suggesting the fires were arson were concerning to read [...] while I can’t speculate on the causes or motives, I can say it is extremely concerning to think that someone could consider this a legitimate way of expressing a viewpoint”. Dr Young also stated that while the event has been disruptive “It has not impacted long-term on our research.” New Zealand’s Chinese embassy is closely following the reports of arson. A spokesperson from the embassy told Salient, “[we] hope the perpetrators will be brought to justice under the law ASAP”. No arrests or charges have been laid yet as the investigation is still ongoing.

Source: Twitter

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VUWSA Call For the University to Refund Students Due to Omicron Disruption and Pipitea Closure Words by Azaria Howell (she/her)

The Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association has called for “financial recourse,” asking that all trimester one fees be refunded. In an open letter to Acting Vice-Chancellor Jennifer Windsor, VUWSA said the closure of the Pipitea campus and the ongoing Omicron outbreak has “caused disruption to learning and teaching on a scale we have never seen before.” VUWSA added that it would be ‘compassionate’ for the university to reimburse students due to the unprecedented nature of these events. VicLabour, the university’s branch of the Labour Party, publicly supported the move proposed by the students’ association. Ryan Hooper-Smith, VicLabour’s Chairperson, told Salient, “The response to the COVID-19 pandemic by Victoria University [Of Wellington] has been abysmal […] Outbreaks have been poorly controlled at halls of residences, there is a lack of consistency in teaching across all of the schools, and many students are being forced to study from home due to isolation requirements. Put bluntly: the level of education and support that the University is providing is not what students signed up for.” “Trimester one fees need to be refunded to make up for the gap in education offering, and to help relieve some of the excessive debt piled onto students in a very stressful time,” Hooper-Smith added. VUWSA says that online learning has exacerbated issues regarding inequality and accessibility, which has had students “barred from their education.” Due to these issues, VUWSA President Ralph Zambrano has called for a bold, ‘compassionate’ response from the University. In an interview with Salient, Zambrano said, “this year, we’ve just seen so many [Covid-19] cases and so much disruption to learning and teaching. Alongside that we’ve seen the closure of Pipitea campus. Students are facing an unprecedented amount of stress that we haven’t seen over the course of this pandemic.” “We believe that since there’s so many barriers facing students now when it comes to engaging with their courses, it’s only right for them to be able to get a refund or a rebate of sorts on the fees that they’re currently paying. Students are paying the normal cost of fees and not getting a full return for it. So you’re paying full price for half the value, if you will.”

Zambrano says a refund of all trimester one courses would have a “seemingly small” impact on the university. When asked if VUWSA had run the numbers, they said no. They didn’t know how much this would cost the university if implemented. “We haven’t run the numbers. But the reason why we haven’t run the numbers is because we don’t think it’s about the money. We think it’s just about the fact that students need this, irrespective of how much it costs. And we know that, given the fortunate position the university has been throughout COVID, they probably actually can account for the refund, and it shouldn’t cause that much of an impact to the university’s financial standing.” VUWSA president Ralph Zambrano said that the University came back to them with a cost “in the ballpark of a couple million [dollars].” In an unofficial response to VUWSA, a university staffer said they were “unwilling to budge,” which VUWSA were “really disappointed about.” Despite this suggestion not getting the green light from the university, they’re not giving up. Zambrano added, “we’re not willing to drop the ball on this push at the moment. We know there’s a great need for this to happen. So while the university is maintaining their current position, we’re going to be pushing back against them.” Despite conceding that the closure of Pipitea Campus and Wellington’s Omicron outbreak impacted some students on a greater level than others, Zambrano remained confident that all students were deserving of a refund of at least the first six weeks of course fees. When questioned on the matter, Zambrano said “all students have been affected to some degree. No one has been unbothered or left unscathed.” “When you’ve got a global pandemic going on, it’s only fair that you reduce the strains and the detriments to the mental health and well being and their ability to live a decent life,” Zambrano concluded, saying that VUWSA will continue to advocate for students who have been impacted by these events. VUWSA hopes that new university leadership will “do what’s right,” saying, “This won’t be the last time VUWSA and the Students’ Assembly pushes for financial recourse for students.” They hope to receive an official response from Acting Vice-Chancellor Jennifer Windsor regarding the open letter within coming weeks.

Opinion: More Students Should Feel Confident Taking Action Against Their Landlords, Here’s How Words by Beth Mountford (she/her)

It’s the same story we’ve heard countless times before: You move to Wellington on a whim for independence, intoxicated by the bright city lights that refract so beautifully in the rain. One week in and that same rain is pouring through your roof, six months in and there’s mushrooms poking through the cracks in the lino floor. Everyone knows Wellington’s housing stock is pisspoor. We don’t need more renting horror stories. We need to hear success stories and to publicise the tools available to students that can help them make a difference. Community Law is a service that provides free legal advice to anyone who thinks they are in an unfair or illegal tenancy. If they think it’s necessary, they will take on your case and provide you with a lawyer. Currently, they’re only operating remotely—so you can call, or fill in a web-form and they will call you. Melissa Harward, a tenancy and housing lawyer for Community Law, says the most common laws that landlords breach are bond returns (for things like mould), and quiet enjoyment (which refers to landlords coming into the property without notice). Even if your landlord comes around to do the lawns, they aren’t allowed to enter the property without 24 hours notice. On mould, she said, “landlords are often very oblivious to that kind of thing and they just say “open your windows” but you could open all the windows in the house all day long it’s structural—it’s outrageous and the cost of running a dehumidifier is really high.” If an issue is not easily fixed, but impedes your full use of the property (such as a bedroom not having windows), Community Law can help you negotiate a rent reduction. “Just because you accepted [the tenancy] doesn’t mean it’s right,” says Harward. If you’re concerned about the repercussions of speaking out against your landlord, getting legal advice can help even the playing field. Harward says, “We can help you write an easy chill letter that isn’t too intense. If you have to go to the Tenancy Tribunal you can apply for name suppression. If you have a good case, you’re confident you’re gonna be successful, your name won’t come up and you won’t be blacklisted.” Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), who you can contact via phone or email, can offer law-based advice and point you in a productive direction. Audrey Fell-Smith, a Justice of the Peace and volunteer for CAB, said they use a publicly accessible

database called ‘Cabinet’ to lay out options for people in tricky flatting situations. “We try to empower people to make their own decisions. On the whole we just try to arm people with information to go forward,” she says. On the CAB website there is a search bar which you can use to access information on a range of topics relevant to flatting and landlord disputes. Case Studies: James Dispute: Damage to a couch that was included as a chattel, where the landlord wanted $1200 to replace the couch. Result: Jury is still out, but the adjudicator ruled that charging for damages must account for depreciation and the landlord cannot just charge replacement cost “Even if we don’t win I still think that it was worth doing, even if its just to stand up for yourself not getting fucked over.” Kishan Dispute: Left his lease early and no new tenants moved in and the landlord didn’t inspect the property until two months after he moved out. The landlord held his bond and threatened to hire cleaners with the money. Result: The adjudicator ruled that both parties were successful, only $100 taken from bond and the rest returned. “There’s no black and white about being ’reasonably clean and tidy’ so it can be tricky. If the worst option is that you lose at tribunal and you still have to pay cleaning fees, then what could go wrong.” Olivia Dispute: Lived in a room without windows, she was offered a Domino’s pizza in return for not going to the Tenancy Tribunal and thankfully declined the pizza. Result: She was paid back all of her rent from the beginning of the tenancy. Beth Dispute: Leak in kitchen ceiling since week one of tenancy. The landlord “fixed” the issue several times but it kept coming back, there was no clear communication. Result: Rent rebate of $200 per week since the issue was reported and rent reduced by $200 per week until the issue was resolved.

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VUW Research Leads to Improved Vaccine Development Words by Azaria Howell (she/her) Victoria University of Wellington-backed research has contributed to the global fight for effective vaccines for respiratory illnesses, including Covid-19.

(CEPI) over five years, to support its continued work to develop COVID-19 vaccines and to prepare for future pandemics.”

Māori academic and VUW PhD graduate Dr Theresa Pankhurst has been specifically researching adjuvants, which are additives that make vaccines more efficient. Dr Pankhurst has a special interest in influenza vaccines and treatment, among other respiratory viruses such as Covid-19.

Woods added that CEPI was a major contributor to the development of most recognised Covid-19 vaccines. New Zealand scientists and researchers have played a major role in these scientific breakthroughs: “The participation of our researchers and innovators in its networks significantly improves our ability to respond to [Covid-19], and any future pandemic.”

Upon completion of her PhD, Dr Pankhurst recently joined Vaccine Alliance Aotearoa to work with other leading scientists on Aotearoa’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, applying her research and passion for biomedical science in life-saving work. In an interview, Dr Pankhurst told Salient that the research “could be a real game-changer for the future of vaccination.” “Having effective mucosal adjuvants, like those I researched in my PhD, means we can make vaccines against small targets from a virus, and this improves vaccine safety compared to older formulations. Paired with the benefits of mucosal delivery, this research provides a pathway to improved vaccines against respiratory viruses—in terms of both efficacy and safety. And another plus, this mucosal vaccine is given like a nasal spray—so no needles required!” Her work in the Vaccine Alliance Aotearoa has gone towards improving Covid-19 vaccinations, with the potential for a vaccine that prevents transmission and mild disease. She added that Covid-19 was “another respiratory virus like influenza, and requires similar immune defences induced by a vaccine, so I could transfer my knowledge rather easily.” Dr Pankhurst’s research follows a million-dollar investment from the New Zealand Government into an international coalition working towards improved vaccination efficacy. In a press release to Salient, Dr Megan Woods, Minister for Research, Science, and Innovation, said the government are “pledging $10 million to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations

Source: Malaghan Institute Photo: The people in the photo are (Back row, left to right): Kaitlin Buick, Dr Isabelle Stewart, Angus Phillips (Front row left to right): Ngarangi Mason, Hannah Boswell, Kaileen Button, Dr Theresa Pankhurst, Olga Palmer. Dr Lisa Connor (Front and centre) The PI of our lab

Pulling a BREXIT: VUWSA to Hold Referendum on Leaving NZ Union of Students’ Associations Words by Ethan Manera (he/him)

Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association intends to hold a referendum on leaving the NZ Union of Students Associations (NZUSA). This comes after years of dissatisfaction with NZUSA and claims that “the organisation isn’t performing as effectively as it has in the past”.

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The decision to leave NZUSA will be posed to students in the form of a survey where students will get to make an informed choice as to whether VUWSA continues its membership with NZUSA. VUWSA president Ralph Zambrano told Salient the referendum to leave “isn’t a decision that we made lightly”, saying the organisation isn’t effectively advocating for student issues and the model is “unfortunately outdated.” VUWSA annually pays a membership fee of $45,500 to NZUSA. When asked how this money could be spent differently upon leaving the organisation, VUWSA said they plan to redirect the money towards projects to “directly benefit our students” such as “the community pantry and menstrual products”. Andrew Lessells, President of NZUSA told Salient, “We have been in conversations with VUWSA for a long time and are aware that they are planning to leave. I’m obviously disappointed but I’m also aware that they’ve had a number of longstanding concerns, we also have concerns and are committed to addressing these as well as reforming NZUSA.” VUWSA maintained that if students vote to leave, a twelve month notice period would be in place where NZUSA would be given the opportunity to “address our concerns and reform.” Zambrano said, “if our concerns are addressed, we do see change, and have confidence in NZUSA’s direction, it is more than possible VUWSA will not withdraw from NZUSA”. The University of Auckland Students’ Association also intends to leave NZUSA this year after a referendum held in 2021 where students voted to leave.

85 Ghuznee St, Te Aro, Wellington www.splendid.nz @splendid.nz

Words by Janhavi Gosavi (she/her) Before the existence of internet fame as we know it, there was Project Bloom. A photography studio based on Cuba Street that was popular—and is now infamous—for its edgy photoshoots marketed at young girls. Between 2014–17, every teenager in Wellington knew someone who had done a photoshoot with Project Bloom. Their most popular photoshoot was the ‘Urban Fashion Photoshoot,’ orchestrated on the streets of the Wellington CBD. Models would lean on graffitied walls, push through metal fences, and strut in moody alleyways. Their outfits were unbelievably cheugy: floral skater skirts, pleather jackets, layered blingy necklaces, heavy eyeliner. Models were shot in soft focus with a vignette, and occasionally the photos had a sepia filter over them. These aesthetic choices make us gag now, but they were all the rage in the 2010s. Ashlee, who attended Wainuiomata High School at the time, said many of the “popular girls” at her school did it. She hopped on the bandwagon because she won a free photoshoot. Ashlee’s photographer was lovely to her, helping her pose and feel comfortable in front of the camera. The only gripe she had was that the studio would overcorrect their photos. “My skin is definitely smoothed

and my freckles were removed, no wonder why teenage girls loved their pictures,” she said. Koyal, who was at Wellington Girls’ College when she did her shoot, had an identical experience. “By then, half the people I knew still thought [Project Bloom] was cool, the other half found it cringey.” Her photographer was also very comforting, and made her feel like no one was around, even though they were shooting in central Wellington. Neither of the girls bought any of their pictures because they were “incredibly expensive”, but they could keep one on the condition that it was posted on Project Bloom’s public Facebook page, as an entry into their Cover Girl Competition. The Cover Girl Competition was held annually by Project Bloom. The grand prize was a day-long photoshoot experience valued at $3000, where the winning model and their friends were picked up in a limo, dolled up for a shoot, and then sent on a shopping spree courtesy of the competition’s sponsors. The competition launched circa 2013, and it received over 500 entries annually at the peak of its popularity. The demographic of clients was predominantly young girls and women between

the ages of 13 and 25. Project Bloom is now a subsidiary of Flair Studios, which is directed by a photographer named Peter. Peter called it the “Cover Girl/ Boy Competition”. He said 5–10% of entries every year were from young boys and men, and that over the course of the competition they had crowned four Cover Boys. In round one of the competition, every model that has done an ‘Urban Photoshoot’ in the past year has one photo of themselves posted on Project Bloom’s Facebook page. The top 30 entries with the most likes are then progressed to round two, where a panel of Project Bloom’s sponsors hand pick the best six photos. In round three, the top six models are invited to be interviewed, so that Project Bloom can gauge their personalities.

Let me paint a picture: 15-year-old Ashlee is sitting in her living room with her friends, who are all getting ready to spend the day being photographed and doted on. They all know she was cool enough to become a Cover Girl finalist. But is she cool enough to score them all a ride in a limo? The phone rings. It’s Project Bloom. After a short conversation, Ashlee hangs her head. She hasn’t won, probably because she “tanked” her interview and told the judges if she could put anything into a time capsule, it would be her phone. Embarrassed and disappointed, she sends her friends home empty-handed, an experience she describes now as “slightly traumatic lol”. I asked Peter if he thought getting young girls to compete online for likes in order to win a

Round one was a rollercoaster. Contestants did everything in their power to amass the most likes. Koyal took it upon herself to personally message all of her friends, asking them to reshare her photo, and a bunch of them left her on ‘seen.’ “I begged my dad to share it, even my mum’s friends shared it, it was very embarrassing”, she laughed. Ashlee said she “sold her soul for those 386 likes”. She even recalls how a “really popular girl” from her high school didn’t get shortlisted for the top six, and her affluent mother “made a public fuss about it”. Round four is where it gets wack. The winner is picked out of the top three, but they only find out they have won the day of the photoshoot experience.

photoshoot was ethical. While he cannot be held responsible for starting this competition—as he only came on board around 2017—he said that this strategy was the only way they could think to get heaps of exposure. At the time, Project Bloom was not aware of the psychological impacts involved in social media rat races. But Peter was aware that the playing field wasn’t even for every contestant, saying, “Some people might have felt left out for not getting enough likes and some were cheating because you could buy FB likes”. The Cover Girl competition wasn’t the only bizarre thing about Project Bloom. I found it really weird that the most common way people got a photoshoot wasn’t by paying for it, but rather winning it. www.salient.org.nz

Callum spent the summer of 2016 working for Project Bloom. He was stationed at shopping centres, asking passers by, particularly the families of young girls, if they wanted to enter a giveaway to win a free photoshoot. At the end of every day, Callum would ring up every single entry to inform them they had won. “It wasn’t a giveaway, it was a way of collecting leads”, which is “super shady”, he said. He never worked there again, sceptical of any business model which preyed on young girls to fork out large amounts of money. “Our clients have the opportunity to purchase further after they have received the free photoshoot plus one digital image, but there is no obligation to do so,” said Peter. While it is common practice for photography studios to charge exorbitant amounts for photos, what makes Project Bloom’s practice unethical is that they specifically marketed themselves to young girls. Advertising your services as free while burying the cost of the product in the fine print is a catch most adults are familiar with. But teenagers don’t think that far ahead. Free photoshoot? Check. Showing up on set and posing for pictures? Check. Paying to actually keep those pictures… mum and dad can take care of that. When your pubescent child has felt empowered and beautiful for the first time in a long time, are you going to be the parent who stands in the way of their happiness? While there is no technical obligation to purchase photos, an element of parental guilt comes into play. Callum argued that the folks he asked to enter the giveaway were already

shopping at outlet malls probably didn’t have anywhere between $200–$1,500 to splurge on buying photos for their child. Not everyone I spoke to winced when they reflected on their Project Bloom days. Rebekah, a Masters student at VUW, did a photoshoot with them when she was an “insecure fresher”. While she expected the experience to be “absolutely cringe”, she ended up feeling “so beautiful and empowered”. She started working for them a year later, by which time Peter had already bought Project Bloom. She described Peter as an extremely kind, talented, and caring boss who worked hard to make people feel beautiful in front of the camera. Project Bloom impeccably captured the zeitgeist of the 2010s; it gave the people what they wanted and was very ‘of the times’. The photography style honoured its adolescent models, dressing them in age appropriate clothing and never sexualising them. While that sounds like the bare minimum, our social media feeds today would suggest it’s rare to come by (see: Milly Bobby Brown). The Cover Girl Competition came to an end in 2020. Peter said Flair Studios were no longer trading under Project Bloom and that its website would be taken down in the next few months. Pretty soon, Project Bloom will become a relic of a bygone era, preserved only in our memories and our tagged Facebook photos.

So you had a baby! Or are having one! So did I! 2020 really did a number on my life and left me with a small (for now) reminder of Covid-19, lockdowns, and the sudden convenience of no one daring to sit next to me on the train. Unfortunately, I didn’t find out about my birth control fail till March of 2021, and shortly after that, a lovely ultrasound technician informed me that the weight I’d gained over summer had more to do with being six months pregnant than the holiday I’d gone on in January. Overnight my world turned into a flurry of panic: finding a midwife, getting copious amounts of dubious advice, attending prenatal classes, and buying stuff. So. Much. Stuff. So here is my (admittedly amateur) advice on how to Uni&Baby based on eight months of trial and error with my favourite little tyrant. 1. Don’t buy the stuff. Seriously. Don’t. That ultra cute onesie for a newborn will fit for all of two weeks. The bulk baby clothes listings on Trade Me are just as good as brand new and you will feel a lot better when your baby outgrows them in the blink of an eye. I found mittens and socks to be useless—they never stayed on for very long. If I could do it over again I would only buy half a dozen bodysuits and all-in-ones,

and it would have saved me the 15 pairs of odd baby socks I have stuffed in my closet. Swaddles were also a no-go for us but I think that has more to do with my daughter, Sofia, and her refusal to be confined. if you want to try them then go for it—just don’t do what I did and buy 15 that were never used. 2. Don’t overcommit yourself! I did two papers in trimester two last year and I don’t think that I realistically could have done any more without losing my mind. If you are relying on the student allowance and its minimum number of papers per trimester, then you can apply for a limited full-time study exemption which allows you to still get the student allowance while studying less than the minimum required number of papers. If you don’t want to study at all and instead spend time bonding with your little one, that is ok too! Don’t feel pressured to make a decision either way. 3. Take advantage of the services offered. Student Health provides free counselling sessions to students and these can be a lifesaver when you are dealing with the stress of study and a newborn. If you’ve just found out that you are pregnant then find a midwife ASAP, there is a huge shortage of www.salient.org.nz

midwives in the Wellington region at the moment. Don’t forget about parenting classes either, they are packed with information and allow you to meet other parents in your area. At the bottom of this piece I’ll include a list of some of the many services and businesses in the Wellington region who are available to support you on your journey. 4. Let your lecturers, course coordinators and tutors know about your growing family. I took CRIM 217 (Criminal Psychology) and PSYC 248 (Lifespan Development) in trimester two and I found all the staff of both courses to be absolutely amazing to deal with. They were more than happy to offer extensions when I was struggling to keep up. You guys are the best! Remember that the staff at VUW really want to see you succeed and they will do everything in their power to help support you and your new family. 5. Get outside, or inside, whatever makes you happy. It can be really easy to fall into a rut of being stuck indoors with your baby. Having to suddenly plan for nappy blow-outs or feeding in public, keeping bottles warm, etc, can all seem like huge and insurmountable hurdles. It felt incredibly daunting the first few times I went out with my daughter, but the payoff for getting out of the house is worth it! The freedom of getting away from the same four walls can be really good for your mental and

physical health. Find a local babies’ or parents’ group, there are often book or movie clubs and walking groups centred towards parents. There’s even an awesome boxing group in Paraparaumu targeted towards young mums where you can bring your baby along to classes. In these uncertain Covid-19 times it might not be possible to rely on your family for help, so reach out, everyone wants to help you, all you need to do is ask. 6. Tag team the childcare (where possible). My daughter went through a really colicky stage for a couple weeks until she was around two months old where she was constantly fussy and wasn’t sleeping at night. Having someone around to take her when I felt like I was about to start pulling my hair out was a lifesaver. If you don’t have close family or a partner to help you, don’t be afraid to put your baby down somewhere safe and take a couple of minutes to breathe and relax. It can be really hard when you feel like all your baby does is scream but remember that a tired, frustrated, anxious parent is much more dangerous to a baby than being left to cry for a couple of minutes while you take a break and calm down. Don’t feel guilty about wanting a couple minutes to yourself, parenting is incredibly hard especially when you add in the stresses of working and studying on top.

7. What works for one person might not work for you.

Most importantly, try to enjoy the time that you have.

Don’t feel like you have to follow the “Perfect Childcare Manual’’— it doesn’t exist! Baby doesn’t need a bath every day. So what if they don’t have a set bedtime? Formula isn’t evil, it’s about having a fed and happy baby. Just because what you are doing isn’t what you see online doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong, try and try again until you find what works for you. You also don’t need all the fancy, gimmicky baby items. A normal pillow works fine as a breastfeeding pillow and instead of a baby bath I use a rubber tub from The Warehouse that cost me $9 (when I don’t just take her into the shower with me). Instead of a whole change table I have a mat from The Warehouse ($10) on top of a chest of drawers. If you can’t afford it, you aren’t a bad parent for not having it. Things like nappies, formula (if you’re using it), and rash cream are far more essential than a $400 rocker that sings, lights up, sways, and glows in the dark.

My daughter is only just eight months old but as I erect baby barriers around the house and try to stop her chasing the dogs, I already wish I could turn her back into the tiny two week old that I could hold with one hand, who only ever slept and fed and never pulled poop out of her nappy to feed the chihuahua! The time with your tiny, cute baby will be over before you know it so enjoy it as much as you can before you reach the point where you realise you now have a small, evil overlord. Don’t take my suggestions if you don’t want to or they don’t suit your situation—I’m just a 22-year-old single mum trying to remember where I left my coffee.

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Worlds Away but Closer Than Ever:

Repairing My Relationship With My Mother

Words by Joanna Fan (she/her) I have 20,000 photos on my phone, and almost none of them are of my mother. When people ask to see what she looks like, I am forced to scroll furiously back to 2015 and dig up memories that seem a lifetime away. But I do have photos of her. Actually, I have a whole wall above my desk adorned with photos of my parents. In these photos, they explore Finland, Germany, Lithuania, Indonesia, take trips to my dad’s hometown in rural China, and attend extravagant dinner soirées. There are no under-eye bags, no screaming children, no frowns—instead, faces of pure bliss. Genuine beams. Eyes brimming with the vibrancy and freedom of youth. Of course, these are film photos and polaroids from the 90’s, a lifetime captured before I existed. The truth is, looking at recent photos of my mother is a painful thing to do. The feelings captured in those film photos have since disappeared, and what lies within our digital captures tells a completely different story. There’s one photo in particular permanently etched into my memory. A seemingly

loving family photo from 2009. You won’t notice, but what is painfully obvious to me are our fake smiles and my puffy eyes. Another sleepless night. When they say a photo speaks a thousand words, I’m sure that this is the photo they mean. Every parent and teacher at that school must have seen right through our smokescreen. Around that time, I stopped looking at photos of my mother. Every detail behind every photo was a vivid traumatic memory—for me, for her. I no longer saw the beauty of nostalgia, but rather, the aftermath of a fight, the morning after another 4 a.m. spat, the capture before a screaming match. Needless to say, our love was fueled by aggression. Conflict defined every crevice of our relationship. For one, there was piano practice. That daily hour of piano practice seemed like an eternity. It was hard enough to get me to sit down, let alone put my hands on the actual keys. Nevertheless, I did it, but not without the constant cacophony of mutual frustration and anger. I simply could not

fathom why my mother would tirelessly force me to participate in something I hated so much. But this vicious cycle would continue daily for nine years. For me, that Steinway in the corner of our tiny apartment signified hours of screaming, tearstained manuscripts, and slammed doors. But for mum, it embodied unused potential, infinite possibilities, and hope. I, by proxy, was designated to live out the dreams mum never achieved. Mum’s modest and strict childhood meant no instruments, no sports, no hobbies, but the day I was born was the day she began to dream again.

That Steinway in the corner of our apartment signified hours of screaming, tearstained manuscripts, slammed doors. For mum, it embodied unused potential, infinite possibilities, hope. In my teenage years, Mum brought me to every single psychiatrist and therapist that she could find, looking for answers in a world that defied everything she valued, experienced, and learnt. Mum could not possibly understand why I wanted to lock my bedroom door, sleepover at a friend’s house, or stay out past midnight. Whilst writing this article, I struggle to recall what we were always fighting about. But that’s the hitch. We never fought about anything. I initiated arguments for the sole purpose of a fight. I wanted to break every single rule. I never understood where my mother was coming from, nor did I ever attempt to. I constantly compared my mother to my friends’ parents, and couldn’t comprehend why she wasn’t more like them. But Mum was never a kiwi teenager growing up in Christchurch. Mum grew up in a traditional collectivist Chinese household that valued hierarchy, respect, and obedience towards one’s parents. I was instead, raised in a culture that praised individualism, constantly encouraging me to take control of my own life, and make my own decisions. I saw it as a battle between two cultures, where only one could prevail. But we never stopped blindly pulling each other in opposite directions, and it completely tore us apart. But that’s the beauty of time and distance. In 2019, I moved out, and rarely initiated contact with mum. I was eager for freedom, independence, and individuality. I finally got what I wanted all along,

but I had never felt more alone. In my deepest depression, I pulled out mum’s film photos out of pure desperation, and everything came into perspective. Their travels in these captures were efforts to appreciate other cultures, recognise differing values, and find mutual understanding. That kiwi culture that I tried to uphold at home was born out of ignorance and internalised racism. Mum had clearly done her homework, now it was my turn to do mine. And so I did. Nowadays, at night, I find myself on Facetime with mum more often than not. She pretends to feed me homemade Chinese food and I offer her feijoa lollies from Night ‘n Day. In every conversation we have, without fail, mum will bring up my old childhood stories. Perhaps it’s because none of the memories from my teenage years are particularly cheerful. Then again, without fail, mum will tell me all her parenting regrets—that she was too hard on me, too strict, too cruel, too protective. But I disagree. After all, I’m grateful that a new appreciation for my traditional Chinese upbringing has brought me closer to mum, not quite in proximity, but spiritually and emotionally. So through tears, I always tell her that she tried her best—I am an only child after all, and she only had one chance. And on that one chance, you did an incredible job Mum.

Nowadays, I find myself on Facetime with mum more often than not. She pretends to feed me homemade Chinese food and I offer her feijoa lollies from Night ‘n Day. I have 20,000 photos on my phone, and almost none of them are of my mother. I rummage through my camera roll, desperate for anything. Most of my searches come up empty, but I have no choice, those albums on iCloud will have to do. Because Mum lives 8000 miles across the world now, and all I have are pixelated figures behind a blue light screen. Sometimes I dream about her, reliving my teenage years, but this time, I’m not an asshole. I dream about her calling me downstairs for dinner. I dream about her dumplings. Her smell. Her hair. Her embrace. But now, pictures are all I have— those few frames of Facetime, the collage above my desk, that photo of us from 2015, will have to suffice. And if it took years of living across the world from my mother to repair our relationship, it would have been worth it.

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LUCY GREEN, THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT, 2022

Reminisce and Repeat: Growing up Through Routine

Words by Felicia Evangelista (she/her) It is human nature to mark a coming of age in one way or another. In film and TV we can see this represented in almost any teenage monologue or montage, set to a song that is wistfully optimistic but not too upbeat (the tunnel scene in The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a personal favourite of mine). Many cultural celebrations also mark a coming of age, like quinceañeras in Latin America, debuts in the Philippines, and even rumspringa in certain Amish communities. Contrastingly, routines are something we usually don’t tend to mark in our lives. Doing a weekly supermarket shop or hiking up the Dixon Steps to uni for the third time of the week doesn’t seem particularly eventful. In their article “Routines and the Meaning of Life”, psychologists and professors Samantha Heintzelman and Laura King explain that while we associate routine with the mundane, routine is actually also linked to our perception of living a meaningful life.

A couple of weeks ago I woke up earlier than I had in years, hours before my alarm was due to go off at 10 a.m. I’m not sure who or what possessed me because I am definitely not a morning person, but I decided that I wanted to go on a walk to see the sunrise. On my way home, I watched as my neighbourhood slowly started to come to life. People walking their dogs, a man getting milk from the dairy, the cafe around the corner getting their first deliveries of the day. Across the street, a dad walking with a toddler, all bundled up from the crisp air. I wondered if that kid would remember any of this when they grew up, if this was part of their everyday or just a memory left only for me to reminisce on. It doesn’t matter what stage of life you are in now, everyone has their own form of routine. Blink and you’ll miss it, but certain routines shape and characterise certain times in our lives. At six years old, I remember my brother and I waking up early on the weekends to watch

cartoons, sometimes even before my parents were awake. There was always Scooby Doo and there were always pancakes. Being a kid meant school on the weekdays and bike rides on the weekends, knowing that your parents would always be there to pick you up afterwards.

Being a kid meant school on the weekdays and bike rides on the weekends I don’t think I ever waited for or expected this time in my life to be over, but as time passed, afterschool pickups were swapped out with taking the bus to and from school. The spare house key and hand-me-down flip phone given in case of emergencies were the ultimate sign of maturity. It’s startling to remember that secondary school is seven years of a 8:30 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. routine, five days a week—more if you’re a sporty or performing arts kid. Seven years of back-toback classes, working from textbooks and doing BuzzFeed quizzes while your teacher goes on about parabolas. You get comfortable, you become inspired to learn new things, and then you leave to grow up even more. In 2018, I finished school and moved here to Wellington. I didn’t just say goodbye to my family, but I also said goodbye to the routine I had been following for the last significant part of my life. But uni brought with it a whole lot of new routines too. Aside from lectures and tutorials, there was also student night. Going out and drinking with friends on Wednesdays and then slouching into a Thursday lecture with the determination and hangover recovery only a fresher could possess, became a routine itself. I grew out of student nights in second year, but the one routine I did keep was having dinner with the same group of girls every night, first at halls and then in our first flat the year after.

this sentiment was universally felt. In 2021, Adam Grant wrote New York Times’ most read article of the year, “There’s a Name for the Blah You’re Feeling: It’s Called Languishing”. An organisational psychologist, Grant delves into “languishing” as “the neglected middle child of mental health” where we feel empty but not depressed, placated but not flourishing. Written after the initial shock of the Covid-19 pandemic, Grant credits routine as a way we fought against a sense of dread through reinforcing normalcy, and how we are still doing this, years later.

I grew out of student nights, but the one routine I kept was having dinner with the same group of girls every night, first at halls and then in our flat Even when feelings of loss have been strong, they have also been punctuated with pride and celebration. I hope we look at how far we’ve come and know that we’ve gone through things the younger versions of ourselves would never have imagined. Realising how far you’ve come or where you have ended up can fill you with a surge of pride and accomplishment, but it can also be inextricably sad and nostalgic. I think of coming of age in the same way. An equal dose of achievement mixed with loss to make the most sentimental head rush of all time. For the most part, we all have new routines now. New things to be grateful for, old routines or people to mourn the loss of. I don’t know if these are all good things or bad. All I know is that I went from cartoons, family breakfasts, and morning drop offs to nowadays making coffee, chucking on some mascara, and running out the door. And if you’re the same, well, I love that for us.

And then came the wrecking ball that was 2020. The first lockdown feels like a lifetime and a half ago, but as “business as usual” faded into the rearview, we created and shared new routines. At 1 p.m. we watched the daily briefing with bated breath and then all went for a walk at another point in the day. It was, and still is, hard to livelove-laugh in these ‘unprecedented times’ and

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Words by Daisy Vahey (she/her)

CW: brief mention of paedophilia

Bend it Like Beckham dir. Gurinder Chadha (2002) “Lesbian? Her birthdays in March. I thought she was a Pisces.” How can you skip a film with that sort of dialogue? Bend it Like Beckham is a coming-of-age comedy focusing on football fanatic Jesminder “Jess” Bhamra as she befriends local girl Jules and later joins her team. What follows is a narrative of love: for family, friends, and the game itself. The characters are the true strength of the film. Jess’s flawed and funny decisions make her one of the most watchable coming-of-age protagonists. Her family are the perfect example of relatives who don’t understand you one bit, yet love you regardless. And Kiera Knightly changed the world when she donned that sports bra. It isn’t all girls and their goals however. This film touches on racism in Britain frankly and openly, not

shying away from painful moments as other romcoms might. Audiences must understand not only the offside rule, but the struggles the Bhamra’s face daily. Jess and her coach’s romance is as predictable as rent increases, so I would suggest supplementing your watching with YouTube channel cherry bepsi’s video, “bend it like beckham if it was a lesbian coming of age movie.”

Call Me By Your Name (CMBYN) dir. Luca Guadagnino (2017) Based on a novel by a man who has admitted to finding a twelve-year-old girl attractive, and starring everyone’s favourite Timothee Chalamet alongside alleged cannibalistic predator Armie Hammer, Call Me By Your Name took the world by storm! Following a queer relationship in the countryside of 80’s Italy, CMBYN has stunning cinematography and a soundtrack featuring Sufjan Stevens, elements that sound like they’d make a stunning coming-of-age film. Too bad the relationship is between a teenage boy and one of his father’s research assistants, who is in his twenties. Regardless of how you might feel about the chemistry or plot, the casting of Timothee, who resembles a young teenager, with Armie, who was 30+ when filming (and looks it), ruins any chance

you might have at pretending their relationship is anything other than creepy. The insidious nature of the infamous peach scene has been overshadowed by the meme-fication of Timothee fucking some fruit. People watch it and marvel at that, rather than the gross abuse of power Armie’s character showcases. I understand queer films are still far less common than they should be, but come on. People deserve better than this.

Lady Bird dir. Greta Gerwig (2017) Lady Bird sounds like a success story: with peak young Hollywood casting, the A24 logo in the credits, and Oscar nominations to boot, people seemed to like it. But did they love it? For a while it was all anyone would talk about. But in 2022, how does it stand the test of time? It doesn’t. It’s a straight out-of-the-box comingof-age story. Teen girl rebels against her family, wants to escape her small town, falls in love with a bad boy who breaks her heart, dragging her more interesting yet ignored friends along for the ride. She’s also a bad friend with hypocritical, shaky morals, and is inexplicably cruel to her adopted brother and his homeless girlfriend. Does her relatability as an angsty teen girl balance out her unlikable traits? It depends who you are. Some might see themselves in her dyed hair and

revolutionary aspirations. Others will wonder what this white suburban girl is fighting against. The complicated mother-daughter dynamic is the most compelling element, but you can find that everywhere nowadays. And honestly, Mamma Mia is just more fun. Lady Bird isn’t a bad film, it’s a stale one. Good for Gingernuts, not movies.

Perks of Being a Wallflower dir. Stephen Chbosky (2012) In just 1 hour and 45 minutes, Stephen Chbosky altered mentally unstable teenagers’ lives forever. Our hero Charlie navigates high school’s trials with a soundtrack that every coming-of-age film has been trying to match since. There’s no scene my friends and I wanted to recreate more than when Charlie, Sam, and Patrick dance to “Come on Eileen” at their prom. On the other hand, I have never met a person able to get through the infamous “truth or dare” scene without wanting to melt into their sofa. Using increasingly unreliable narration, Charlie is revealed to be more than an oddball, his quirky behaviour hiding far darker struggles beneath. Logan Lerman nails his portrayal of someone dealing with mental illness, and Ezra Miller’s Patrick gives much needed humour with every quip.

Perks deals with many sensitive topics in very real ways. Don’t watch this film if you are feeling sensitive or vulnerable. It’s a goodie, but your health is more important than watching the tunnel scene. Just chuck on “Heroes” by Bowie and go up to the botans in the cable car, enjoying your own coming-of-age moment as the rainbow lights illuminate the dark.

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Skinned This night I entered was warm fir bristled and the moon whined on played poker with the stars and won every game narrowing down the night till only specks of distant fires fought on. This silence, an opportune slumber party for sisters bleeding the darkness a type of confidential gauze covering the sharing of duck down dilemmas. I was once debraided now my knotted hair runs into my eyes frames furnace-coloured skin. Depraved night I walk through you smell like fox skins drying on live wires and drunk rabbits rabbiting. Beyond the water tank chicken wire shakes harmonizes with the buzz of some indiscriminate deafening bug. There is a coat on the line lined with sheepskin and the night is gripping it and I’m staring at it while waiting on the porch for my dog to figure out how levered door handles work so, I can come inside and exit this night. This night is reactive, mediocrely performing an act it should have perfected: be scary and exposing, unknown and frightening Tonight, it is nothing more than a shadow of day. There’s a click. Dogs done it. Georgia Wearing

S AYIN G G O OOD O D BY E TO PUN OUR S PU N KIES T TR I O : From the 20Somethings team (Jolenna Deo, Tahlia Conrad-Hinga, and Nosiphi Mapukata): Hey Chickie <33 We’ve been slip slop slappin it up in the sun this summer and we hope you have been too! However, after a year we’ve realised it’s time to step out of the sun and off the magical ride that has been the 20Somethings podcast. Sza said it best, “Good Luck on them 20 somethings”. Our 20s are only just beginning and we wish you luck while you navigate your own wild 20-something adventures, as we attempt to

This has been 20Somethings, a podcast about the epic woahs, nos and fros that encompass the wild ride that is your 20s. What was the best part of having a podcast? Having mandated catchup times was great!! Hosting really interesting and important kōrero and then getting to share it with a community of people just like us. What was something you learnt from the experience? I think a big thing we learnt together was that being in your 20s was less so about having everything figured out, and more about exploring and discovering new things about yourself and those around you. We are constantly evolving and changing—that’s both scary and exhilarating. Why would you recommend uni students have a creative outlet like a podcast?

do the same. It’s a hard job, but maybe we’ll meet again soon—over the hill of 25—and by then we’ll have even more stories to share with each other. For now, it has been an extraordinary journey. A big thank you to producer Fran for not only being our manager, our support system, and our recurring guest but also a wicked friend—we love you. Kia ora to Salient for creating space for us to have mad bants and essentially talk shit every week. And even more love to our listeners, we hope you’ve enjoyed the ride, we’ll catch you on the flip side.

Between uni, work, and maintaining some form of social life, a creative outlet can be really therapeutic. Actual therapy is expensive, so why not start a podcast. Yeah, a degree and work keep you alive, so to speak, but all the creative stuff in between is what makes life worth living. Have fun and do cool shit!! From the Salient Podcasts’ Manager (Fran): We’re going to miss the 20Somethings girls and their joyous energy, and we will wish them the best as they journey through the rest of their 20s. I have absolutely loved having these three on our team: they were a privilege to mentor through the podcast process, and I have three amazing friends now thanks to it! And thankfully for us, the podcast will stay live on Spotify and iTunes xx

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BROADENING HORIZONS: The Greatest Coming-Of-Age Story Ever Words by Dylan Todd (he/him) The coming-of-age genre is a tricky one to cover, with countless films, books, and TV shows falling into the category. While there’s plenty of classics in the genre, from the straight up simplicity of Stand By Me, to the subversive Let The Right One In, today I’m going to delve into the single greatest coming-of-age story there is: the metanarrative underlying the media saga, Neon Genesis Evangelion.

as Angels, as well as the mysterious organisations in the background hoping to reshape the world to their liking. Secondly, it’s known for its portrayal of mental illness, focusing on themes of isolation and depression. The story is pivoted around the exciting, high-stakes narrative, but focuses more so on the emotional development of its wide cast of characters, all at numerous different stages of life, from early teens to elderly adults.

If you’ve so much as heard of anime, you’re probably familiar with Eva. The original series started in 1995, coming from the animation heavyweight GAINAX and helmed by its cofounder, Hideaki Anno. Eva is most renowned for one of two things: Firstly, it’s known for the intense story following a group of teenagers and young adults struggling to save the post-apocalyptic future of 2015 from otherworldly creatures known

The show’s creator, Hideaki Anno, became well known for his own mental health struggles during this time, grappling with a depression that nearly took his life, and the characters in the series are visibly influenced by this, with the final episodes of the original series being an introspective, abstract look into the self-hating apathy that consumed the show’s creator and his characters. Many of these characters feel isolated, abandoned, and in need of proving themselves in order to justify their very life, something which is a direct parallel to the behind-the-scenes happenings for its creator. But you might be asking, what does this have to do with coming-of-age stories? Sure, the characters go through arcs within Neon Genesis Evangelion and its concluding film, The End of Evangelion, but that doesn’t necessarily make it a coming-of-age film, right? Well, then let me introduce you to Rebuild of Evangelion, the ‘remake’ film series beginning in 2007. Originally penned as a reconstruction of the original series without the budgetary and technological limitations of the 90’s, by the end of the second film, a shift was occurring in terms of narrative and themes, and in 2021, Shin Evangelion Gekijouban or Evangelion 3.0 + 1.0: Thrice Upon a Time was released to the world, unveiling a rich metanarrative underlying the saga itself, recontextualising the entire franchise. The inclusion of the symbol in the theatrical title, a musical notation commanding repetition, directs viewers to reflect back on the franchise, helping affirm the story that underlies the saga, not in

relation to its characters, not in relation to its own narrative themes, but in relation to the creator himself. Abandoning the gloomy, industrial aesthetic of the original series and its preceding films, Thrice Upon a Time focuses on imagery of harmony, peace, and stability, showing a society starting anew amidst lush pastures, despite the calamities of the past. Similarly, reaching his 60’s at the completion of this final instalment, Anno had developed as a person too, finding peace and joy in the world he lives in, and shaken himself free of the tumultuous depression that consumed him in the decades prior.

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STUDENT SAY

VOTING IS OPEN VOTING IS OPEN VUWSA EXECUTIVE BY-ELECTION VOTING CLOSES MIDDAY 23.03.22 | voting.vuwsa.org.nz 30

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Rice To Interview You Anoushka:

Laurelei:

A: Could you introduce yourself?

L: Introduce yourself! Name, ethnicity, all that jazz.

H: My name is Huda Anas, I was born and raised in New Zealand and I am a Sri Lankan woman.

G: My name’s Gina (they/she)! I’m halfVietnamese and half-Pākeha. I mainly live with my mum, so I’ve been raised in a Vietnamese household.

A: What is something you like about your culture? H: The food! A home cooked meal like biryani is so nostalgic. And who could forget the 1996 Cricket World Cup! Tea is also a big thing I like about my culture, especially as my maternal grandad is deeply involved in tea production in Sri Lanka. A: What is something you want people to know about your culture? H: Although Sri Lanka was once a part of India, Sri Lanka is its own country—we are separate and should be seen and celebrated as such. A: What societal challenges do you face being a Sri Lankan?

L: True true, so how would you describe your relationship with your culture? G: When I was really young, I could speak Vietnamese. Then I went to primary, where there were only like 2 other Asians, and I lost my language. At high school, there were more POC and I realised that I don’t look like other white people—and maybe I don’t look like other Asian people too. Through social media and trips back to Vietnam, I’m more certain of my identity now—I am Vietnamese, and I am Pakeha. L: How do you think being Vietnamese has impacted you?

H: Being Sri Lankan has meant facing racism and learning how to be as ‘white’ as possible to get where I want. I also found self acceptance hard. When I was younger and even now sometimes, all I would see is white skin with small noses and pretty blue eyes. That was a standard I could never live up to.

G: Here, specifically, there aren’t a lot of Vietnamese people my age to connect with. I chose to take Asian Studies… which is hilarious, since most of my lecturers have been white. But yeah, even in general being the only Asian or POC in the room just really isn’t the vibe.

A: How do you deal with issues of identity?

L: Feels. Is there anything you’d like people to know about your culture?

I spent my childhood obsessed with washing away my culture to fit in—I regret it so much. I was so ashamed, I didn’t even learn my family’s language and now I struggle to understand them. I have a lot to unlearn. The first step I took was to learn and enjoy our food without worrying about being the “curry kid.” I’ve also been trying to love the natural features of my ethnicity, like my nose.

G: I have a pet peeve of people pronouncing Vietnamese food wrong (L: looking at you, Pho Mo), and also when people unnecessarily bring up the war. Same goes for when people bring up their travels to Vietnam… me bringing up my culture isn’t an invitation for you to tell me the one way you’re connected to it. I think Vietnamese people are very passionate and genuine about what they say. As I learn more about Vietnam’s history, I really admire how close Vietnamese people have stayed together given how much they went through.

Words by Teddi (they/he/she)

& Kelly Mui (she/her)

Hello and welcome to TeaSpoonie! A column all to do with disabilities, but particularly hidden disabilities, as those are the ones that we experience. Our aim is to bring awareness to aspects of life as disabled people that can often be overlooked, especially those without visible signs and symptoms.

As someone with a family who does not understand what ‘invisible disabilities’ are, it can be difficult to relearn what ‘disabled.’ I, and most of the people I knew in my younger years, limited the term disability to physical things. Unlearning and relearning has been as integral to my journey as my diagnosis.

But first, some introductions:

When we talk about being disabled we often reference ‘spoon theory,’ so we shall give you a quick rundown. Spoon theory was spoken into existence by Christine Miserandino when she was explaining how lupus feels to a friend (spoons happened to be the thing on hand at the café they were in). Basically, spoons are the measurement of how much energy you have. Tasks vary by the number of spoonfuls of energy they take. Some days we might have lots of spoons of energy and others we might have only three or four.

Kia Ora! I go by Teddi and I am a disabled genderfluid person studying on and off depending on my health. My health problems read like a book. While it’s not fun and I don’t recommend being disabled, there are some upsides and funny moments that make it easier to cope with. I don’t need to list my references to say I’m disabled but I’m going to give y’all a quick rundown of my disabilities anyway so you know what my experience is with: • EDS type 3 Hypermobility • Endometriosis • Chronic Pain • Severe Migraines • A few mental health conditions

Typically, each person has a set amount of spoons that each task takes. For example, eating might be one spoon while cooking might be four, so to have dinner actually needs five spoons worth of energy. Everyone has their own reference guide when it comes to their own energy, so this metaphor has been quite popular due to its flexibility (flexibility is not often considered when thinking about disabled life). We all have our good days and our bad days.

All my conditions are invisible disabilities so while I used to feel guilty saying I am disabled, I’ve gotten over that. There is nothing wrong with needing to adjust the world to fit you better. Kia ora koutou, my name is Kelly (she/her) and I make up the other half of the TeaSpoonie team! In the past year I have been diagnosed with chronic pain and chronic migraine disorders and have been coming to terms with my now labelled disabilities. I have always found a good coping mechanism has been to talk and share my experiences in order to help others or to simply be seen and heard. My aim is that by sharing my experiences, others like me need not face the same struggles I faced in thinking I was alone. www.salient.org.nz

UniQ Words by Billie Angus (she/they) Growing up as a queer youth is a very weird experience. You think you’re all alone until you meet other LGBTQIA+ people, and realise you all felt the same. Somewhat. Things are very clear in hindsight. I didn’t meet another gay person until high school. I learnt what that was online at the age of twelve. Before then, it had never occurred to me before, never popped up in my experience, that you could be attracted to anyone other than what you see around you. With the rise of the internet, that is becoming less and less frequent. Rather than kids not knowing anything about why they’re different, there are whole communities, easy to access, showing them that these feelings they have are normal. And that it’s okay to explore. I love the quote from Dolly Parton —“Find out who you are, and do it on purpose.” It’s cool that kids are getting the opportunities to explore themselves! To be introduced to new concepts that might spark that feeling of “hey, that’s me!” The way it did to me in high school. And again just last year, as I discovered what being agender was. That isn’t to say your identity remains stagnant. It certainly doesn’t. And that’s okay. You might have presented yourself as a girl in your youth, only to discover you’re not one later on. That doesn’t mean you weren’t okay with it at the time (though maybe you weren’t). Things change. You grow. And getting the opportunity to explore that, rather than never being able to question it, that’s a wonderful thing.

PSC Words by Josie Mailisi (she/her) Life changes Life changes. For some of you, it can be a change in physical environment. You’ve gone from high school to university. You’ve travelled from another country to New Zealand. Or you’re leaving the sage confines of your university bubble and entering into the ‘real world.’ Life changes. For some, it’s a change in relationships. Now, more than ever, it feels like our loved ones are dropping like flies. Gracing the stage of the heavens, they no longer are here in person. Perhaps you’ve broken up with your partner or you’ve met someone new. Or maybe you’ve met some new friends and let go of some old ones. Life changes. For some, it’s body development. You pick up a new style of training, your body changes. Your family dinner has now been replaced by twominute noodles or your idea of what ‘health’ is has evolved. Life changes. Daily. Nothing in our life is consistent without consistent habits and a consistent belief. So in a world full of uncertainties, remember that God is consistent. His values, His beliefs, and the love He has for you is consistent. Life changes. When you feel you can’t plan for the future, when you can’t see your loved ones, when you don’t get that win you’ve been working hard for, or another blast of disappointing news crosses your path, remember that there is a higher power in place. Life changes. And often for the better. How many times can you look back and think “ohhh that’s why that happened!”? The thing is, life isn’t made to be straightforward. The highs and lows make life what it is. It makes it adventurous, exciting, and new. Life changes. Embrace it.

Words by Zephaniah Witoko (he/him) CW: discussion around the impact of gangs and gang violence Growing up in Flaxmere, Hawkes Bay with a single mother on welfare was common for most of the people I grew up with. For us, it was normal to go to school with no lunch and no shoes. For us, it was normal for nobody to turn up to parent interviews. For us, we were given this life without a voice to use. Looking back now, my mother often would have to go hungry for my sister and I to eat. I didn’t understand at the time, but for most other people, this was not the norm. Generational cycles like gangs, domestic violence, and alcoholism were all real and scary parts of my upbringing. One day my mother and I were parked in the drive when my aunty parked up behind us with a bulldog. Five minutes later, her patched-up partner ruthlessly beat her in our driveway. As an eight-year-old kid, I didn’t know what to think and most importantly I didn’t know if we were next. We would often get visits from Triple J, my mum’s childhood friend and former captain of Mongrel Mob Notorious. As a kid, I’d look out the window and stare at his red Cadillac in awe. From having no car to seeing a Cadillac parked in my driveway, this was the appeal of gang life. However, living in Flaxmere her whole life, my mother truly understood what gang life was really like and did everything in her power to ensure I didn’t fall victim to it.

they came to our home. When I asked her why, she said, “My son, if you ever joined the Mongrel Mob, I would never forgive myself.” These are the experiences that have helped shape me into the man I am today. For this reason, I believe the kids are our future. I often wonder what my eight-year-old self would say if he saw me studying Psychology and Māori at the Victoria University of Wellington. I wasn’t supposed to be here. I wasn’t supposed to have a platform to speak on my experiences. I was supposed to be patched-up. But through the love and guidance of my mother, I am here today, and I intend to extend this love to my community. When I returned to Hawke’s Bay at the end of 2021, I was fortunate enough to join a kaupapa that shared my desire to help our community. Backyard Motivation, an exercise Facebook page, was founded by Coven Ratima. From what started as ten of my close friends and whānau training in Coven’s backyard (hence the name Backyard Motivation), this movement ultimately flourished into a beautiful kaupapa for the community. Now, with over 450 members, Coven and my cousins are working hard every day with our tamariki to break the generational cycles. Our love for our people, our community, and most importantly, our children is what brought us together, and I hope by sharing this with you, you will learn to appreciate the importance of our kids as well!!

Ngā mihi, Zephaniah Witoko

I grew up half of my life not knowing that most of my visiting uncles were Mongrel Mob members. It wasn’t until I turned 18 that my mum told me she would make them take their patches off every time www.salient.org.nz

CROSSWORD

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Citric ingredient of a daiquiri or a gimlet (4,5) 6. Minimal (5) 9. The Light House and The Penthouse, in Wellington (7) 10. Surname of the 742 Evergreen Terrace family (7) 11. Obsession of some Scottish cryptozoologists (4,4,7) 12. Cons; sheepskins (7) 13. Guarantees (7) 15. 1936-1939 European conflict that inspired Picasso’s ‘Guernica’ (7,5,3) 19. ‘Lolita’ author Vladimir (7) 20. Remove; launch (4,3) 21. Entice (5) 22. One watching from the sidelines (9)

1. In the region (5) 2. Lens worn by stereotypical fancy people (7) 3. Pinocchio’s insect friend, in a Disney film (6,7) 4. Demands (7) 5. Auckland electorate that has elected David Seymour three times (5) 6. ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ author (7) 7. Good thing on a balance sheet (5) 8. Ecologically speaking, lands found north of the taiga biome (7) 12. Stocking material presumably invented by a very sexy angler (7) 13. Biblical letter, such as the book of Galatians or Romans (7) 14. Dinghy (7) 16. ‘Photograph: The Very Best of Ringo Starr’, for one, or a place to put photographs (5) 17. Homes for queens and their workers (5) 18. Direct (to) (5)

Word of the Week: grow up, lifetime

SUDOKU Te Reo Māori:

e tipu ake ana, aku rā katoa

New Zealand Sign Language:

LAST WEEKS ANSWERS

www.salient.org.nz

Aries The sun entering the house of self and the moon exiting the house of enemies means you’ll be beating out the competition this week. I know you love that, you competitive thing, you.

Cancer I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you’re waiting for that text back, don’t hold your breath. The third quarter moon in your house of relationships means their interest is waning...

Libra Remember that your sense of identity shouldn’t come from the opinion of others. Do what you do because you love doing it, not because you like the way it makes you appear to your friends.

Capricorn Capricorn, we get it. You’re good at everything but it’s time to go out of your comfort zone for once instead of always doing the things you already know you’re good at.

Taurus This week, expect to get maximum output from minimum input. You literally don’t have to try and you’ll succeed, no matter what you do. Good for you, I guess.

Leo The position of the sun this week signifies exploring the unfamiliar. It could mean something amazing like discovering your spiritual purpose, but more likely, you’ve probably just found another side of TikTok.

Scorpio The stars are telling you off this week. Have you been spending all your money on food? Stop being lazy. It’s not worth the sad bank account. Budget and save, you’ll thank me later.

Aquarius Venus is in your first house, which is emblematic of you looking amazing. But it’s quickly approaching Saturn, meaning you may not be able to see it. What you say to yourself when you’re alone matters.

Gemini Resist the urge to self-sabotage. Resist the urge to self-sabotage. Resist the urge to self-sabotage. Resist the urge to self-sabotage. Resist the urge to self-sabotage.

Virgo Nitpicking isn’t cute, Virgo, stop it. No one appreciates it. Avoid starting unnecessary fights with the people you care about. Note to self: Learn how to choose my battles.

Sagittarius A messy room is a messy mind. Take your dishes to the sink and actually put your rubbish in the bin for once. And finally do something about that poster that keeps falling down.

Pisces This week is not the time to be jumping to conclusions. Be aware that everything you see is from your perspective and there’s always at least two sides to every story. No more fast judgements.

THE SALIENT TEAM YOU CAN THANK THESE PEOPLE FOR YOUR WEEKLY FIX.

Editor Janhavi Gosavi

News Editor Beth Mountford

News Editor Azaria Howell

Designer Alice Brown

Chief Reporter Ethan Manera

Sub-Editor Lily Holloway

Features Editor Ronia Ibrahim

Staff Writer Bridget Scott

Staff Writer Maia Ingoe

Staff Writer Zoe Mills

CENTREFOLD ARTIST

This week’s amazing centrefold is brought to you by Lucy Green: Instagram: @Badbroidery

Social Media Manager Seren Ashmore

Podcast Manager Francesca Pietkiewicz

Billie Angus Dylan Todd Niamh Vaughan Joanna Fan Jimmy Williamson Puck

Website Manager Annalise Scott

Contact Us features@salient.org.nz poetry@salient.org.nz editor@salient.org.nz designer@salient.org.nz chiefreporter@salient.org.nz news@salient.org.nz

CONTRIBUTORS Annie Cheng

Felicia Evangalista Daisy Vahey Catherine Bullock

Jolenna Deo

Tahlia Conrad-Hinga

Teddi

Josie Mailisi

Kelly Mui Georgia Wearing Lily Pearl Moore Laurelei Bautista Anoushka Divekar Nosiphi Mapukata Kelly Mui Zephaniah Witoko www.salient.org.nz

Reckon you’re a bit of a writer? Have you got the gift of the gab? Send a pitch to editor@salient.org.nz and come join the Salient family We’re particularly interested in pitches for news stories, feature articles, reviews, and columns. For those of you that love staring up at the stars or down at a crossword, we’re also looking for horoscope writers and puzzle masters. Are visual arts more your thing? Get in touch with designer@salient.org.nz to see how you could contribute photography, illustrations, and centerfolds to the magazine. Applications to be our Te Ao Māori editor are still open! They will be a proficient writer and editor who is responsible for overseeing the Māori content in Salient. They will also need to regularly produce written content. This is an exciting new position on staff for 8 hours a week. The ideal candidate will have a thorough understanding of te ao Māori and tikanga. To apply, send a CV, cover letter and writing portfolio to editor@salient.org.nz. Previous experience in writing and journalism is desirable, but not required.