Debate | Issue 15 | 2016

DEBATE ISSUE 15 | JULY 2016

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CREDITS PUBLISHED BY

EDITOR Laurien Barks lbarks@aut.ac.nz SUB - EDITORS Amelia Petrovich Julie Cleaver DESIGNER Ramina Rai rrai@aut.ac.nz CONTRIBUTORS Amelia Petrovich, Julie Cleaver, Chantelle Cullen, Amanda Leo, Reegan Hill, Ethan Sills, William Bowman, Tyler Hinde, Caterina Atkinson ADVERTISING Harriet Smythe hsmythe@aut.ac.nz

Contributions can be sent to lbarks@aut.ac.nz

PRINTER Debate is printed lovingly by Soar Print Debate is a member of the Aotearoa Student Press Association (ASPA) This publication is entitled to the full protection given by the Copyright Act 1994 (“the Act”) to the holders of the copyright, being AUCKLAND STUDENT MOVEMENT AT AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED (“AuSM”).

Reproduction, storage or display of any part of this publication by any process, electronic or otherwise (except for the educational purposes specified in the Act) without express permission is a break of the copyright of the publisher and will be prosecuted accordingly. Inquiries seeking permission to reproduce should be addressed to AuSM.

Pg 4 Editor’s Letter

Pg 14 Asians In NZ Media

Pg 24 Gluten Free

Pg 5 AuSM Advocacy

Pg 16 Cool Shit

Pg 26 Ban ‘Basic Bitches’

Pg 6 Prez Sez

Pg 18 Auckland Uni Investing Unethically

Pg 30 Short Story: Part One

Pg 7 What’s On Pg 8 Harry Potter Did It Pg 10 Colab

Pg 20 Climate Change in NZ Pg 22 3AM Thoughts

Pg 32 Reviews Pg 34 Recipe Pg 35 Puzzles

Pg 22 AUT Sport

DISCLAIMER

Material contained in this publication does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of AuSM, its advertisers, contributors, Soar Print or its subsidiaries.

AUSM.ORG.NZ

COVER IMAGE BY TYLER HINDE FA C E B O O K . C O M / A U S M D E B AT E

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EDITOR’S LETTER Hey All, I sincerely hope you all enjoyed your Re-O week! I know AuSM had some fabulous events planned, so hopefully y’all managed to get to as many as possible!

I was inspired by a recent trip to my home and native land (Canada) to discuss a few observations I’ve made since Justin Trudeau started wearing the Prime Minister hat. For the most part, my Canadian friends have raved about the man – as have many people from around the word – and don’t have a bad word for dear Justin.

And it’s clear why. He’s made enormous progress in a very short amount of time, and whilst he hasn’t exactly been ‘tested’ yet, he still deserves huge props for the calls he’s made in the name of the environment, refugees, and all around equality. His support for women’s rights and LGBTQI+ rights have stood out (for me, at least) above all else, because it’s slapped me in the face with how simultaneously necessary and rare this kind of outspoken support is in our leaders.

I’ve actually been keeping my eyes peeled for blatant criticism. Not google-searched analytical criticism, but straight-up, fromthe-people, experiential criticism, and sadly I’ve had a bit of luck. I say the word sadly not because someone’s pointed out Justin’s flaws (hey, we all have them), but

because these so-called ‘flaws’ body slam me back into reality and remind me just how far we have to go as a society. Even under the leadership of the equality King, there are still close-minded fools who cast embarrassment over my Canadian pride.

The biggest criticism I’ve seen so far (and I actually saw it quite a while ago, but it’s still rubbing me the wrong way so I’m going to get it out there), is over an issue that affects a community that I am not a part of. Because of this, I cannot possibly represent these people, but I can attempt to be a voice for them whilst recognizing my own privilege and the fact that I am still a student of the issues the transgender community faces.

I am referencing the bill that “ensures the full protection of transgender people.”

This covers harassment, discrimination, and violence, and the prohibitions include “any public speech or communication that promotes hatred on the basis of gender identity or gender expression.” This is being viewed, by some, as “jailing people because they offended someone.” It makes me angry just to type that. I’m sorry…but “offended”!?

Is that really the word we are using here, people of social media? Try ‘devalue’, try ‘shame’, try ‘inflict mental illness on’, try ‘lower the quality of life for’. FFS people!

If you truly believe your senseless hatred for another human being, if your blatant perpetuation of hate-crimes, discrimination, and night-club murders is “freedom of speech” and your right – then you’re in need of a serious and drastic wake up

call, my friends. Publically communicating hatred toward a group of people based on nothing but their gender identity is not harmlessly expressing your opinion. It is not self-expression. You are not doing the same thing “they” do with “their big parades” when they “throw it in your face” and, you know what…”they’re actually the ones offending you!” (There is a great need for parades and celebrations, and I invite anyone who doubts this to spend a mere ten minutes researching their importance).

What you are doing when you denounce the importance of punishment for this kind of prejudice, is denouncing the importance of inclusive equality. You are laughing and making light of a system that demands and ensures each and every person feels safe to exist genuinely. You are saying your opinion holds more importance in the world than a human life. Thankfully, none of it is okay with Justin Trudeau, a man sitting at the head of the Canadian government and in a position of power.

I know there’s a tonne of support for Justin’s steps toward equality, and this is something to be grateful for. However, I think it’s important to burst out of your blissful bubble and face the music sometimes – there are still huge leaps to be taken, and we’ve all got a role to play in them.

If you’ve got something to add to this discussion, feel free to get in touch – good, bad, or otherwise, I love to hear from y’all.

Have a great week, Laurien

A D V O C A C Y

Complaints at AUT Most of the time things go okay at AUT. You are allowed to be unhappy if they don’t though. You are allowed to complain about things. Complaints can result in change.

Our objective here is to let you know how the complaints process works and how to increase your chances of getting a positive outcome.

The process The AUT complaints policy is here: http:// www.aut.ac.nz/_media/intranet/pdfs/ services-and-operations/academic-qualityoffice/academic-calendar-2016/ComplaintsProcedures_Academic-Calendar-2016.pdf

complaint to the boss of the person you tried (or skipped if necessary) in Step One. At the apex of the policy is AUT’s Head of Student Relations, John Carlson. One does not simply involve John from the outset. He is perfectly entitled to ask that you escalate a complaint through the chain of command first. He is there to investigate a complaint after all other avenues have been exhausted.

Some complaints are upheld. Some aren’t.

Tricks of the trade

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Step Two involves escalating a complaint up the chain of command. You take your

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Sometimes complaints are about how you feel you have been treated. It really helps to be able to provide supporting documents and emails.

Be succinct. Effective writing means grabbing the attention of the reader early in your email or letter. A chain of events is easiest to read in a timeline format. Documents or copies of relevant emails can be in numbered appendices. The more organised you are, the easier it is for the person reading the complaint to understand what happened and what you are seeking.

If more than one student has experienced the same thing or feels the same way, getting together to make a group complaint can be mutually supportive and more powerful.

If possible, suggest a realistic preferred outcome, in other words what you would like to see happen as a result of the complaint. If you can include your own positive suggested solution(s) then you are part of that solution.

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It is inevitable that there are two sides to every story and/or information that you have no way of knowing when you lodge a complaint. Accordingly it helps to acknowledge that by not taking a fixed position and being open to a potential compromise solution.

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It might seem a good idea to send off a complaint just after something has happened. The tone can then sometimes be wrong. Perhaps your 3am draft complaint is FULL OF CAPITALS and OUTRAGE!!! and exclamation marks!!!!!!!!! Perhaps you could sleep on it and;

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Get some help from the AuSM Advocacy team. We know how AUT works and we do this sort of thing for a living.

So, if some complaints work and others don’t, what factors can influence the outcome?

Complaints concerns and feedback can be given here: http://www.aut.ac.nz/being-a-student/ student-feedback The objective is always to sort things out as easily as possible as soon as possible.

Accordingly, Step One of the Complaints Policy translates as “tell the person you think is responsible for the problem what you think the problem is. Unless they are the problem of course”.

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PREZ SEZ

U R S H U LA A N S E L L

N I CA E LA-J A N E K I N G

Kia ora guys,

Hey guys,

So let’s be real, we all know it, housing is an issue in Auckland and it’s affecting us students. There are many different factors to this, the first being the PRICE. If you are living off studylink, there’s nowhere near enough money to rent or flat with - you need a part time job, or you’re going to have even more debt.

I do not know your living condition, but I want to stress how important it is to READ your contract, whether this is for a flat or an apartment. AuSM provides student advocacy for students and if you are not sure with anything in your contract, I highly recommend seeking advice. I have personally been locked into tedious year contracts which resulted in a negative outcome. I had to house hop to friends’ places for at least a month at the beginning of last year, and this added unnecessary stress. Although I am lucky, things could have been a lot worse. If you need anyone to talk to about your situation, feel free to contact me at niking@aut.ac.nz.

It’s easier for us to find a group of people to live with so the cost can be divided more. The worries around this are: a) Finding them, and b) Trusting them not to bail on you.

That brings me to the next issue: CONTRACTS - the thing that traps us in for a period of time. These have so much potential to be stressful depending on the situation.

Third issue is the CONDITITION of the place. We are most likely going to be living in a place that’s cold, damp, small and mouldy but we accept it as we don’t have any other option.

My last issue is being ACCEPTED. We are competing against families and working professionals, few people are going to accept a student who has no money and, in their eyes, will party and destroy their home. Leaving us in situations like the one I’m in now, I am currently living in my friend’s converted garage in Mangere, which I am thankful for. I work full time and still struggle to find a place. So please come forward and let me know your feelings on it all - trust me, I’ve been through most of it as well.

Urshula.ansell@aut.ac.nz Ursh x

To this day it shocks me how many New Zealanders are living on the street, especially when, “In Auckland, more than 33 000 houses were registered as unoccupied in the most recent data from 2013. A breakdown shows about a third had residents away. The remaining 22 152 properties are listed as empty.” We should be utilising these empty homes for people who have nowhere to sleep at night. Coming from Gisborne to the big smoke, I learned that there is poverty no matter where you go. I want to help those in need, I want to advocate for students who are in crisis.

Take care beautiful people, Nicaela x

How could we improve STUDENT LIFE? How can AUT ORGANISE and operate to better meet your needs?

CALLING ALL DESIGN & CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY STUDENTS

what’s on

You’re invited to afternoon tea with Professor Desna Jury, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Student Success.

AuSM Special General Meeting

AUT is committed to providing a rewarding learning experience for you. Use this opportunity by contributing to this discussion about future developments – we need your voice!

On Tuesday July 26th, AuSM is holding a special general meeting from 12pm – 1pm at Vesbar. The meeting’s agenda includes the discussion of changes to the Student Election Regulations as well as the changes to funding within Clubs and Societies.

Fair Trade/Trade Aid Meet Up AuSM’s Sustainability club will be having a Fair Trade/Trade Aid meet up at 12pm on Friday August 12th, and a sustainability meet up later that day at 3pm. Both meetings will be held in the student lounge, and any students with ideas or looking to get involved in the club are welcome.

Come along for a casual chat and enjoy some nibbles and drinks. Bring a friend – the more the merrier!

Tuesday 2 August 2016, 3.00pm - 4.30pm WA6, DCT Faculty Lounge Confirm your attendance by emailing Lisa Warner lisa.warner@aut.ac.nz before Friday 29 July.

What’s On Auckland?

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis The duo behind 2015s smash hit Downtown will play Auckland’s Vector Arena Thursday July 28. Joining Macklemore & Ryan Lewis will be none other than Sydney’s hometown hero’s, Thundamentals. For complete ticket and tour information, visit www.livenation.co.nz.

AUT SPORT

The Absurdity of Humanity

Get amongst it!

The New Zealand Dance Company announces the premier of its most provocative and poetic season yet, The Absurdity of Humanity to be presented at Q Theatre, August 24-27th. Tickets available at qtheatre. co.nz, or phone 09-3099771.

• Sport teams • Social sport & recreation • Inter-faculty competitions • NZ university and tertiary sport tournaments

New Zealand International Film Festival 2016 Friday 15 July 2016 – Sunday 31 July 2016 10:00am – 11:00pm The New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) returns this year to bring you an exciting array of over 140 feature films and documentaries to enjoy. The latest and brightest of international cinema direct from premier festivals in North America, Australia and Europe as well as world premieres of many New Zealand films.

NZIFF will begin its 48th year in Auckland on the 14th July at the magnificent Civic Theatre and various other venues across the city.

Keep up to date with festival news and events at NZIFF.co.nz.

Contact us today!

Email: sport@aut.ac.nz facebook.com/autsport/ Instagram: AUTSPORT Snapchat: aut_sport www.aut.ac.nz/being-a-student/sport-at-aut

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Harr y Potter Did It Chantelle Cullen | Illustration by Tyler Hinde Harry Potter did it. Clary Fray did it. Katniss Everdeen did it.

Emma Swan did it. Rey did it.

We have to grow up at some point in our lives. To do this, we must pass a series of tests such as; doing the laundry successfully, knowing how to cook to survive, and how to act old enough to be given a responsibility or two.

Sounds like a bit of a horror story really. This fear is what made me want to go into more education after high school, and avoid having to grow up and ‘do stuff’.

Coming into the final semester of my university life, I find myself in the situation of deciding (once again) what I am going to do

with my life. I am sure that many of you are thinking the same way. Maybe studying gave you a better idea of what you wanted to do when you ‘grow up’, maybe it made you more confused, or maybe it gave you such emotional and mental strain that you don’t want to think about it in case you trigger another panic attack.

Dramatic as it may seem, we are all beginner-level adults about to be released into the real world. We don’t know what to expect, or where to head off.

My comparisons to well-known fictional characters will come of use in this text, don’t worry. If you didn’t notice, they started their journey young and carefree - just as we did in the first few days of our degrees. Their stories didn’t take long to harden them and make them adapt to their world. They did a lot of growing up, and so can you.

Don’t keep jobs that make you feel terrible and don’t surround yourself with poisonous friends. We only have one life, so why should we spend it doing something that makes us feel terrible?

As they grew up and began their journey and fight against ‘bigger powers’, they learned the tactics of winning fights and how to do well in the long run. But the one thing that they could not do this all without, is their squad.

To get through the darkest holes and the brightest moments in life, we need our top squad to be there for advice, rants and gossip sessions. The way we find our purpose is by having friends that make us feel like we have a purpose. Cutting off friends that only weigh you down can be something that instantly brings you back up.

Let’s have a look at Harry Potter, without Hermione and Ron, he wouldn’t have been able to survive the Tri Wizard Tournament, figure out where the Chamber of Secrets was, or defeat Voldemort. He started off his journey thinking of himself as not worthy enough, only a boy who lives under the stairs, but as he went through his education at Hogwarts, he embraced all of his surroundings. He enjoyed what he could, while he could. Other than the continual bullying by Draco Malfoy (and occasionally the rest of the school), he was fairly open to the world. His experiences led him into wanting to train to be an Auror.

Believing that we all have a purpose, and that there will be something for us in the end is always an excellent way to keep you moving forward. Don’t keep jobs that make you feel terrible and don’t surround yourself with poisonous friends. We only have one life, so why should we spend it doing something that makes us feel terrible?

The suffering will come too, no doubt. We had Katniss Everdeen who lost so much by the end of the last book (spoilers!), but she kept herself alive by having hope and having people she loved.

We can do the same. We could end up at the bottom of a ditch in our lives, wondering why we aren’t heading anywhere. We can either take a risk that could bring us much more, or just stay there until the end.

Even the bad guys find their calling. If Tom Riddle can find himself a way out of an orphanage and become one of the most well-known wizards in life, then so can you. Even Peter Pettigrew found something for him. Our advantage as muggles, is that we have Google to help us along the way, so we can find slightly less violent ways to bring ourselves up in life.

Growing up isn’t so bad in the end, you get to choose what you do and when you do it. Other than the obvious responsibilities of having a job and keeping yourself alive and healthy, you can actually enjoy life a bit more. Your parents become friends rather than people who yell at you for having a messy room, you don’t have to hang with people you don’t really like and you discover that vegetables aren’t actually that bad. You can wake up early and enjoy a coffee while the sun rises or you can sleep in and enjoy a full night’s rest. It’s all up to you! The hardest part is deciding what suits you best and what you enjoy the most. You don’t have to act extremely mature to be a grown up.

I like to believe that we all have a reason to be around. It’s all really a matter of doing your best (as difficult as it may be) to figure out your purpose. Things will hold us back or knock us down on our way. But sometimes, we have to start by appreciating the small bits and pieces, and cut out the bad stuff that you can control. If you are on your way, then congratulations! If not, then just keep going, and remember to look back every so often to see how far you have come.

You’ve got this.

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Amelia Petrovich

A group of university students hard at work could look like many different things.

Sometimes it looks like a lot of people with hunched backs in a library huddled together, ruining their spinal alignment. Other times it’s a pack of sweaty bodies stressing in a computer room fifteen minutes before an essay deadline.

Rarely though, can one university boast students working on lightweight diving gear, wearable artwork and chairs that move by themselves all in the same room. It sounds ridiculous, mad even… although those in the know would say it just sounds like AUT’s CoLab. CoLab is AUT’s Design and Creative Technologies hub, where people of all different skill sets come together to work on weird, whacky and downright incredible stuff. It’s comprised of people interested in design, artists, game designers, textile whizzes, animators and just about every other kind of creative pursuit under the sun.

It’s not uncommon, for instance, to mosey up to WG Level 11 and see a virtual alien designer chatting with a dude making diving gear about their mate over in the corner who is making plants operate computers just by growing.

It’s that kind of place.

At times though, CoLab can feel like a bit of a mysterious enigma all the way up on Level 11 in all its kooky, inventive glory, so Debate had a chat with some of the Lab-ers (is that a thing? Could we make it a thing?) themselves to see what exactly it is they’re up to and why they’re so excited to be doing what they’re doing.

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Zac says that although he is technically the designer of the group, working within such a small team means that a lot of collaboration and overlap goes on most of the time between the three of them.

Aaron Cleland, Drake Farmer, and Zac Goodsir are a trio working on a lightweight breathing device that extends a user’s breathing time under water.

The device will essentially allow users to re-breathe their own breath under water by “scrubbing” carbon dioxide and topping it back up with oxygen. Since there is currently no effective breathing device between a scuba diving unit and a snorkel, the team thought they’d give it some thought and to date haven’t found evidence of technology like this ever actually being implemented.

“We have a prototype of the device that gives eight minutes of breathing at ten meters underwater,” says Zac. “We’re further developing the unit to extend that time though.”

The team as a whole is “passionate” about human enhancement through technology, says Zac, and being trailblazers in this department has always been an important goal.

“There’s a substantial development in land-based human enhancement, but very little is being developed for underwater,” says Zac. “We wanted to be at the forefront of this emerging market and successfully demonstrate human underwater enhancement.”

For Zac and the crew, the device could be used not only to save lives on sinking vessels and to help rescue work, but also commercially because of how safe and user-friendly the final product will be.

Colab: Creative Technologies at AUT: an overview Colab is a new kind of academic unit - it’s a school of emerging technologies, a

Even smaller than the diving gear trio though is D’arcy Parr’s group of one.

Choosing to fly solo means that everything- be it success or failure- falls on him for the foreseeable future. This is scary stuff for some, but just another day at the office for D’arcy.

D’arcy’s current project is exploring the idea of creativity vs. destruction through ‘glitch art’, which is basically an artistic study into the beauty of breaking things.

cutting edge research institute and a creative industries network. Cutting across the traditional boundaries between creative arts, design, digital media, computing, engineering and entrepreneurship, our multidisciplinary degree brings them together in one innovative, project-based learning environment.

The study of creative technologies at AUT gives students a wide, relevant and contemporary education in the knowledge-intensive creative industries. It is a strongly studio-, workshop- and project-based discipline. Graduates will be creative practitioners who can collaborate and communicate effectively across a

“The coolest thing I’ve learned this year is how to break everything, but in a useful way,” laughs D’arcy.

The project itself makes use of old analogue technology (you know, like back when you had to own a bunch of things to do different things instead of just one smartphone conquering it all), like VHS players, film and vinyl.

These technologies are ones that D’arcy says are resurging in popularity, making his own artistic endeavor all the more topical.

“People dig their imperfections and my project is all about that stuff so that’s kind of rad I guess,” says D’arcy.

broad range of artistic, technological, commercial and cultural fields.

Specialist areas include: • Digital animation • Moving image production • Interactive entertainment • Gaming technologies • Smart systems • Robotics See more at: http://www.aut.ac.nz/study-at-aut/A-Z-listing-of-academic-fieldsand-disciplines-at-AUT-University/creative-technologies#sthash.xjCsSW9x.dpuf

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ASIAN ACTORS (OR LACK OF) ON NEW ZEALAND STAGE AND SCREEN Amanda Grace Leo That many of us Asian Performers within Aotearoa New Zealand are getting pretty fed up with representation (or lack of) within Kiwi media is surprisingly new information to many. People still gasp in shock when artists alike cite the classic example of xenophobic, racist “Us-Them” attitudes still prevalent within Kiwi culture like “Where are you from? No, I mean, where are you really from?”. Almost every piece of theatre that consciously addresses the exclusionary racism Asian New Zealanders face has seemed to reference this persistently common question most Asians get asked every week, to the point that I’m almost sick of hearing it referenced as much as I am being asked it.

myself being privileged enough to pursue a full-time career in acting. In no way was I under any illusion that I would have the same opportunities as my White counterparts that would allow me to survive as an actor. Some might argue there are less Asian actors to go round, which means we have less competition roles… to fill the like, 4 major roles for Asians that are auditioned for within Theatre and Film a year. But hey, don’t worry if they can’t find anyone from the small pool of Asian actors, we’ll just cast a white person as a Chinese dictator and it will be overlooked because of said actor’s status and singing chops… (I’m making a reference to a recent New Zealand Opera just in case you’re missing it).

With the presence of burgeoning successful Kiwi webseries like Flat3 and the odd “ethnic” actor popping up and staying on Shortland Street, many people argue that times are changing. If they are, it is a very slow, frustrating change that is only the result of a long, hard battle that many Kiwi Asian artists have been fighting for decades. Unlike quite a few of my white contemporaries, after I graduated from University with a First-Class Honours degree in Drama, an undergrad in Sociology and four years’ worth of acting experience I had done mostly for free, I had never considered

Most recently, Constance Wu, star of the American comedy show Fresh Off The Boat gave a great interview with Vulture that seems to have found a lot of salience with my fellow Asian performers, judging from the 20 shares of the articles on my Facebook Newsfeed. Most evocatively, she discusses her past controversial critique of “the practice of blackface employed on Asians” because the term “yellowface”- the yellowing of a white face to look more Asian- is relatively ignored compared to “brownface”. This argument evoked the small, unknown recent incident at Auckland

Theatre Company’s public play reading of The Arrest of Ai Wei Wei in which renowned Māori actor Rawiri Paratene was cast as the lead character, Chinese political dissident Ai Wei Wei. I had brought up the point that if this was a reading of a Māori or Samoan play, no one would even dream of casting any ethnicity but that of the character because of the huge backlash they would face, to which everyone readily agreed.

I could digress into more of the politics of how the practice of Colour-blind casting in general only really works to the advantage of white actors but I think Wu brought up another very salient, if not more important point: that Asian actors are put up a lot less for auditions and therefore have less chance to practice their auditioning technique although they might be very good actors. One of the biggest issues within the Film, TV and Theatre industry within New Zealand is the lack of Asian actors in roles that are not specifically ethnic. This comes from the idea that Non-White actors are not “sellable” in major roles that do not have specific ethnicity briefs.

In New Zealand, this is even more of a problem given that we have a much smaller industry and therefore, less of a diversity of roles. Casting directors seem somewhat worried that if a mainstream show’s cast is not predominantly white, people won’t be able to relate to the characters and therefore the show won’t sell. Now, how ridiculous does that sound? I’m sure no one batted an eyelid when Kiwi Asian actor JJ Fong landed a role in the TV series Go Girls or Michelle Ang got cast in the Australian series Neighbours.

to tick the ethnicity box for funding? Is it because the top dogs are afraid that having Asians onstage and onscreen in positions of power challenges the dominant narrative of whiteness and white privilege, that they are guilty of perpetuating? Because these such narratives actually show racism to be well alive in Aotearoa despite the huge turnouts to the annual Lantern Festival every year?

In a conversation emerging Kiwi-Asian actor Alice Canton and I were having, we were discussing how more responsibility needs to lie on the shoulders of acting agents to put forward a more diverse range of ethnic actors in front of casting directors, especially for roles that have general, non-ethnic-specific briefs. Canton said that one of the most frustrating things within the industry is not getting put forward for major roles even though her skill level and training is similar, if not greater, than her white counterparts who go for such auditions on a weekly basis. Another challenge she has is the very dualistic view that Casting directors hold of what constitutes “white” and what constitutes “other”- she is often told that she is not White or not Asian enough to play a role.

Casting directors seem somewhat worried that if a mainstream show’s cast is not predominantly white, people won’t be able to relate to the characters and therefore the show won’t sell. Now, how ridiculous does that sound?

With almost a quarter or Auckland’s population being Asian, I am sure we can agree that Auckland’s multicultural population is reflected in the number of ethnicities we personally interact with on a daily basis. So why isn’t this reflected on our Television screens and Professional stages, bar having a few tokenistic ethnic actors, who are usually of Māori or Pacific Island descent in order

So where does change come from? If change comes from the bottom up, then we should already be seeing a huge change in the industry. I am of the view that while change often starts at the bottom, it is the middle and top tier of the industry that needs to put their balls on the line, instead of telling us that we need to fight harder.

As a well-known Māori actor, director and producer said to me a while ago, it seems like the Asian struggle within the Performing Arts industry is currently where Māori performing artists were 10 years ago, and even then, things are still not as equal and diverse as they should be. Even with the new Creative New Zealand Diversity Fund aimed to elevate the works of Māori, Pacific and Asian artists, we are still some huge steps away from being able to count on there also being enough work for us instead of soley relying on “making our own work”, often on shoestring budgets with little funding or support.

Amanda Grace Leo is a Kiwi- born Singaporean actor, jazz singer and Children’s Entertainer.

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COOL SHIT

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N I W !

N I W

STUDENT LONE KITTEA TIME

Lone Star Newmarket has given Debate two $20 vouchers to give away this week! Dinner’s on us if you simply Facebook message us your name, campus, and best cowboy pun.

Cat Café has given us two more passes to give away! Visit their lovely feline sanctuary and enjoy a beverage on the house – you’ll get an hour to cuddle, pat, and play with as many cats as you can handle! To be in to win, just email lbarks@aut.ac.nz with your name, campus, and a picture of your favourite cat (even if they’re from the internet).

WIN

FRIES WITH THAT? We stocked our AuSM reception desks (across all three campuses) with Better Burger vouchers! Present these vouchers, and you get free fries with any purchase from Better Burger Vulcan Lane. Head on into your nearest AuSM office to pick up your voucher – first come, first served.

, WE LL GIVE YOU CREDIT STA Travel vouchers are up for grabs this week! We’ve got two $50 travel vouchers to give to the first two people who Facebook message us their name, campus, and dream party location!

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2016 ARCHITECTURAL WRITING COMPETITION The New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) is inviting entries into the 2016 Warren Trust Awards for Architectural Writing. The essay competition has two categories: Open and Secondary School. One winner in each category will be decided, and up to three Highly Commended Awards will be made.

The Open category award carries a cash prize of $1500.

Authors of Highly Commended Awards will receive $500. The Institute of Architects will publish the award-winning essays.

Entries in the 2016 Warren Trust Awards for Architectural Writing must be received by October 3rd.

Details of the competition, including the essay topic, entry criteria, and submission address, are on the NZIA website (www.nzia.co.nz/competitions).

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Calls to Stop Auckland Uni Investing Unethically Julie Cleaver | Photo by Caterina Atkinson AUT’s older and less trendy cousin, the University of Auckland, has recently ticked a few people off. Staff and students at the school are angrier than people who love avocados during off season, as the uni may be pouring millions of dollars into potentially unethical companies every year.

However, the university spokesperson said they may not necessarily be investing in fossil fuel companies per say.

“To the best of our knowledge, those managers do not currently have material holdings in fossil fuel companies; however that decision lies with the managers, not the university,” said the spokesperson through email.

Currently the university hires an independent body to invest a decent portion (around $80 million) of their profit. That body has no policy against investing in companies people think are unethical, like the fossil fuel industry, tobacco corporations, or unhealthy food companies. According to a university spokesperson, the amount the uni invests is so low, they have no control over where it goes.

They also gave assurance that the company who invests their money has the United Nations seal of approval.

The student group, Fossil Free UoA, estimates the uni is investing between three to six million into fossil fuel corporations every year. The group leaders believe this is hypocritical of the school, as the faculty is both sponsoring research showing the negative effects of climate change, and putting money into corporations that fuel the problem. Co-president Alex Johnston believes this is just not good enough.

However, Fossil Free UoA doesn’t buy this. They think the uni is investing in fossil fuels, and they want it to stop.

“We’re asking the university to shift their money out of the fossil fuel industry. Basically we want them to put their money where their mouth is in terms of climate change.”

Additionally, Professor Andreas Neef, the Director of Development Studies at Auckland University, said moving the money – or divesting – is the right thing to do.

“Looking at what’s currently going on around the world in terms of divestment, it’s definitely something the university should put on its agenda.”

The other half of Fossil Fuel UoA’s co-presidency, Aine KellyCostello, said both Otago and Victoria have divested, so Auckland Uni should too.

“…we do have the reassurance that our investment advisors are signatories to the UN Principles for Responsible Investment which takes a range of environmental, social and governance considerations into account.”

“The divestment aligns with the values of the university.

Universities are meant to be the critics and conscience of society, and it doesn’t align with the values of the university to be funding climate change,” said Alex.

When I asked Dr Neef if he thinks the uni is hypocritical, he raised an extremely wise point – “aren’t we all?”

He then went on to say how easy it is to lament the uni whilst simultaneously counting down the days until we fly to Europe on our fossil fuel powered aeroplane. We’re all hypocrites in a way, but still, just because we do some things that are bad, that doesn’t mean we can’t do anything that is good.

Regardless of whether the uni changes what they are doing or not, it’s extremely important to be questioning public officials constantly. This debate shall go on.

19

CLIMATE

CHANGE THE CONSEQUENCES IT WILL HAVE ON NEW ZEALANDERS

Julie Cleaver | Illustration by Tyler Hinde The weather across the country is heating up. I’m noticing it, the weather guy on TV is noticing it, and perhaps most importantly, leaders in the health sector are noticing it.

According to health professionals, the rising temperatures are extremely concerning. Dr Rhys Jones, the co-convenor of OraTaiao NZ Climate and Health Council, said death and disease are just two of the consequences climate change will have on New Zealanders in the foreseeable future.

“We’re very clear that climate change is a major health issue and has an incredible range of different impacts on health,” said Dr Jones.

He said there are many reasons climate change will impact health, including: 1) More heat waves, which in other countries causes death and illness.

2) More natural disasters, like storms and flooding, which has obvious health impacts like injury and other ongoing health issues, like limited access to water, food and electricity.

3) More diseases - such as dengue fever or malaria - which are carried by mosquitos who can only survive in warm temperatures.

Dr Jones said, in general, the most vulnerable members of society would be affected first.

“So we will see Maori, Pacific people, low income people, and particularly the elderly and children as well, being probably the most heavily affected by the impacts of climate change on health.”

Warren Lindberg, the chief executive officer of the Public Health Association of New Zealand, voiced similar concerns.

He warned that climate change is a large threat to health in New Zealand and said, as a country, we are not doing enough to prevent it from occurring.

there. One will run on clean-burning fuel, but the other will be fuelled by a coal boiler. Clean burning fuel is a sustainable option hospitals can chose, but it’s not a popular one. Dr Jones said the reason things are not changing is because the Ministry of Health is an old organisation that is set in its ways. He also said the

“In reality we are still not doing anything to reduce our carbon footprint… We need to take it seriously and move much more quickly,” said Mr Lindberg.

Ministry is reluctant to invest more money into sustainability.

“These things have been used for years and years and it actually takes quite a bit of new investment to do away with that and set up a whole new system,” he said.

The government not doing enough to prevent climate change is disappointing, but not surprising. The Department of Conservation’s recent budget slash made it pretty clear National does not give a shit about the environment. But what is surprising is how little the health sector itself is doing to stop climate change.

In fact, the Ministry of Health is not only ignoring the problem, it is actually contributing to it as well. Dr Jones said currently a staggering 37 hospitals across the country are using coal boilers.

“Using coal boilers, even just with the local air pollution and the local effects, let alone the global impacts of climate change, is pretty irresponsible… The health services should be contributing to, not just fixing people up when they are sick, but also not doing things that are going to be harmful to health.”

Recently, more than 300 000 health professionals from 30 different countries asked G7 nations to move away from coal in the interest of health. So it’s not just Dr Jones worried about this problem - it’s a bit less than the population of Christchurch worth of health professionals also asking for things to change.

Speaking of Christchurch, there are currently two new hospitals being built

In an email conversation I had with the Ministry of Health, a spokesperson told me the organisation is working to reduce its carbon footprint. However, the spokesperson said each individual district health board is responsible for managing its own environmental sustainability policy.

That means there is no overarching policy forcing hospitals to be sustainable, which is basically like telling a bunch of children, “you can clean the dishes if you want, but it’s up to you!”, making the results pretty obvious.

The spokesperson also said the Ministry has a “green prescription program”.

As part of this program, they said they commonly prescribe walking to patients – an option that “reduces the use of cars and associated emissions”.

In my opinion, telling patients to walk to the shops instead of drive is a pretty weak sustainability policy for a major government organisation.

I don’t know much, but health professional do, and if they say there is a problem, I think we should all listen. I know you will, but whether the Ministry of Health and the National government will is another question. One we all unfortunately know the answer to already.

21

3 AM THOUGHTS Sometimes our sub-editor, Amelia Petrovich, likes to wake herself up at 3am, record the first thought that comes to her head, and share it with the world.

20th June, 3:00am “Maybe there should ve a rhle be a rule where.the weson moving in. 1st gets to give bojse before anyone else everrrr.”

Holy lord, if ever there were chaos that I wish I understood, this would be it.

It’s funny how closely your subconscious can mirror your waking life sometimes. Compiling endless 3am thoughts, I’ve learned that sleepy subjects actually act amplification for stuff in your real life that’s more important to you than maybe you realise.

Like, regardless of how clumsy and haphazard this specific thought looks, it was still the very first thing that came to my mind out of the dusty stupor of sleep. Therefore, to fight its way through the haze and gunge of my early morning mind, it’d have to be pretty potent stuff wouldn’t it? That’s what I mean. I’m now acutely aware that my own 3am thoughts are actually the quickest way to figure out what’s truly on my mind… if I can make

head or fucking tail of it that is.

Anyway, what I was saying is that I wish I could understand this mess because the big, huge important thing that has happened to me recently is that I’ve moved flats again. If we look past the botched spelling, I seem to be trying to say something like ‘maybe there should be a rule where the person moving in 1st…” which I reckon is almost definitely about the big flat saga. The thing is, even though I’ve moved places about fifty gazillion times, I have yet to come up with any practical flat-shifting wisdom to impart in my waking life to my waking friends or housemates.

For that reason, I’m ticked off that this 3am thought ends in such an indecipherable mess.

Like, what the shit is “giving bosje” and why does the first person to move in need to do it before everyone else? It’s probably a great idea, something I’ve stupidly neglected every time I’ve shifted from hovel to student flat and back again, but I don’t know what it is at all because half-asleep me mashed all the keys on her phone as she typed and made everything a goddamn mystery.

It’s infuriating. I infuriate myself. Who needs enemies when you’ve got friends like your useless bloody sleep-alter ego? Me probably. Maybe a plethora of enemies would keep me occupied enough to forego any more 3am writing and would save me the immense emotional trauma of not being able to understand anything I say to myself.

I appreciate the implicit whine in “everrrrrrrr” though. Very white girl of me. Apt as ever.

Athlete Profile Myron Manickum Having already completed a Degree in Visual Arts from AUT, Myron Manickum is now in his final year of a business degree majoring in Marketing. Myron is part of the New Zealand University Futsal team that travelled to Goiânia, Brazil to compete in the World University Futsal Championships in the semester break. Myron plays for the Auckland Men’s National Futsal team and is the current captain of the AUT Men’s Futsal team. Myron also coaches the AUT Women’s team that won the University and Tertiary Sport (UTSNZ) title in April.

How did you get involved your sport?

I got Involved in futsal from a young age when I saw a national competition at the home of futsal in Kohimarama, East City Futsal. I remember going with my dad and older brother to watch the tournament and seeing the skill, pace and excitement of the games, and was hooked ever since. I knew I had to play this sport as I had a background in football and thought this indoor game was the best thing since sliced bread.

How do you fit your sporting commitments/travel around your uni life?

It’s always a juggling act, you have to make sacrifices every now and then when you are training nearly every day, but it is doable to do both. It takes a bit of organisation from me and time management to be able to give my fullest both in university studies and sport trainings/ commitments. I do enjoy it and wouldn’t change a thing. It keeps me busy and out of mischief.

Upcoming Events AUT vs UoA Women’s Rugby Sevens Match - Sunday August 21st at Auckland University Rugby Football Club.

NZ University Ultimate Championships – August 26-28 in Christchurch UTSNZ Volleyball Tournament – August 29-30 in Wellington UTSNZ Basketball Tournament – September 5-7 in Auckland

What are your sporting goals and where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Sporting goals for me are something I always keep track of and keep in the back of my mind. One of my goals is to represent the NZ Futsal team in an international game - I know that I can achieve that in the near future. I would also like to go overseas and play in a national league competition in Australia or Thailand – both countries have good leagues that will better me as a futsal player. I would also like to see myself carry on with coaching teams and sharing my knowledge and passion of the game to others.

What is your favourite post training meal?

There’s always good stuff to eat! Maybe a Big Mac combo with a strawberry shake… Jokes, I keep a pretty clean diet. I usually go for a fettuccini pasta dish or a steak and salad.

What’s the best piece of advice you have been given?

Best piece of advice that’s been given to me was from my dad, my dad is very much involved in my sport and is always the one I seek after a tough game or hard tournament. His advice to me was to always believe in yourself, believe that you can do it, whatever it is. Another piece of his advice which is hard to apply, but I do try: do everything whole heartedly.

UTSNZ Hockey Tournament – September 23-25 in Wellington UTSNZ Netball Tournament – September 24-25 in Auckland Contact AUT Sport at sport@aut.ac.nz or pop into WB119 for more info.

23

Gluten Free The first thought you have when going gluten, dairy or soy free, is about all the food you’re going to miss out on. But some creativity, perseverance and research makes all those foods you thought you couldn’t eat become something you can make yourself. Not only will it be fun, but everything tastes so much better when you make it yourself.

These are just a few of my favourite recipes.

• • • • • • • • • • •

125g margarine 3/4 cup sugar 5 mashed bananas 2 eggs 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp baking powder 2 Tbsps almond milk 2 cups gluten free baking mix, I like using Healtheries 1 cup dark chocolate chips 1/3 cup virgin coconut oil 1 Tbsp vanilla extract

In a larger bowl, cream margarine and sugar until fluffy. Mix your eggs in one at a time. Add your mashed banana. The best type to use are the old black spotted bananas, the sugars have matured and will make the muffins sweeter.

Warm your milk and stir the soda in, if it doesn’t foam when the soda is added,

put it in the microwave for 15 seconds to activate the soda, then add to the muffin mixture. Sift in the flour and baking powder, while stirring through the mix.

Cook for 20 - 25 minutes at 200 degrees Celsius. It is SUPER important to grease your muffin tray; otherwise your banana sugars will stick to the tray and make it impossible to get the muffins out whole.

Sometimes the muffins will take longer, you’ll need to stick a skewer in one, and if it comes out clean, the muffins are cooked.

It’s super easy to adapt this to a cake mixture, all you need is to put the mixture into a cake tin and cook for 45 – 50 minutes around 180 degrees Celsius, you can use the skewer trick or just lightly touch the top to see if it springs back.

Once it took an hour and ten minutes for a cake to cook for me, so don’t fret if yours takes a while.

You’ll make 1 cake, 12 large muffins or 16 average sized muffins.

Frosting: Slowly melt oil and chocolate together in a saucepan on a low heat. Add vanilla extract and stir through. Chill for 15 to 30 minutes. Transfer into a large bowl and whip until light and fluffy, the frosting should turn from a dark brown to a lighter brown.

It might look like a little amount of frosting before you whip it, but once air is added, the frosting goes a long way. Or you could always double the batch.

I spent two hours making and eating the best pasta of my life. I’ve had fresh pasta before but this was like heaven, even the cook of the family, my mother, melted for it.

It took the best gluten free bread mix you can find, I used Hubbards; I picked it because it’s dairy and soy free as well.

Size 8 free range eggs, if you can’t get free range you’ll need to add an extra egg yolk for every egg added caged eggs have less protein and don’t work as well in pasta.

Use Xanthium gum in place of the gluten; it helps bind the flour together. I mixed 2 cups of the flour mix, added a teaspoon of the Xanthium gum and mixed it together in a large steel bowl. Do not use an electric mixer, I mixed everything by hand, you’ll get a much nicer feel for your dough that way.

Then I added one egg at a time. Once it was all combined, I found it a little sticky, so I added another third cup of flour.

I kneaded the dough until it was smooth and stuck together without clumping. I rolled the dough into a ball, divided it into four smaller balls then rolled half a ball at a time through my pasta machine. The rolling took a long time. You have to work your way through every setting on the machine all the way down to the second to last. Gluten free pasta won’t hold together if you roll it too thin. So if your pasta starts to look like its sticking to the roller, re-roll but don’t use the smaller settings. You’ll know your machine better than I do.

I rested the rolled sheets before putting them through the fettuccini cutter. I rested those for about twenty minutes and cooked for five in highly salted water. I like the say it needs to be as salty as the Mediterranean Sea. I stirred my water constantly while adding the pasta a little at a time so it didn’t stick together.

Once it had been in the boiling water for five minutes, I took it out and let it soak up the pasta sauce in another pot.

You’ll serve four average sized dinners, or two giant plates.

25

BAN ‘BASIC BITCHES’

Amelia Petrovich There are some things I need to get off my chest about ‘Basic Bitches’.

Try as I might, I can no longer think about them without becoming enraged. When I hear about them, am told about them or even remember what they stand for I am ticked off and exasperated in a way I never was until recently.

Their existence and constant presence in popular culture right now is everything that’s wrong with the world… …that is, a constant reminder that young women are still being

choose to do or partake in - a ridiculing of personal choice, essentially.

It’s schoolyard stuff really, “the things you love are dumb because they’re different to the things I love”, but trend it sparks isn’t so childish. The very word ‘Basic’ reduces person right down to total simplicity and tedium because of what they like. Who gives a crap about that same person’s skills, quirks or other interests? If she was late to class with a Starbucks Frappuccino in her hand the straight-A student with a surf lifesaving certificate who speaks three languages is just ‘Basic’. All intricacy lost, all points of interest stifled.

shamed for being into what they’re into.

Lumping people into the ‘Basic Bitch’ box is not the worst thing

‘Basic Bitch’ is a term that my parents had never heard of, but

that is admittedly easy to get over… but it’s also easy to just not

one that I know refers to certain women in-between 16 to 30

do in the first place. I said originally that ‘Basic Bitches’ and all

years old (roughly that is, this is an educated estimate rather

they stood for annoyed me just by existing and that’s still true.

than actual statistics). It’s a phrase you’d need to turn to Urban

It’s annoying that a term like this, which represents a societal

Dictionary for, but as I understand it, is a derogatory term for

willingness to shame other people for their areas of passion,

women/people who like specific, popular things. A ‘Basic Bitch’

exists at all. It’s behavior that would be so easy, so basic to

likes Karen Walker; she likes to wear what her friends are

stamp out.

wearing (stripey t-shirts, ripped jeans, maybe Nikes). She likes Starbucks and probably shops at Lush, enjoys Smirnoff Ice and could think of nothing better to do on a Wednesday night than

humanity is capable of, obviously. It’s a small, niggling thing

I say, like Starbucks. Wear whatever clothing you want, decorate your days with things and activities that suit you. If they happen

gossip with her squad and then hit Roxy.

to suit a handful of other people around you too then the more

We probably all know a ‘Basic Bitch’ or three, not because

it’s still a thing. If your choice of nightclubs is ‘Basic’ then I guess

they’re everywhere but because they’re everyone. Its just really

your ability to navigate a foreign country can be too, as can your

rude shorthand for a person who likes a set of occasionally

kickass softball skills, as can that time you won that creative

associated things, things that are omnipresent, enjoyable and

writing competition. Turn the phrase on its head because what

most importantly, marketed at the very group that engage with

you are and what you do is probably as far from ‘Basic’ as

them so readily. Why is it so deplorable to be into fun stuff that

possible. Basic is being, intricate is being you.

is readily available and made to perfectly fit your lifestyle? Why

the merrier, right? Rep ‘Basic’ as hard as you can for as long as

is that even judged?

*Before you cry ‘gender equality’, I did consider mentioning ‘Basic

I could be missing a fuller picture here, but every reference

I’ve heard making the rounds recently. I decided against it because,

to ‘Basic Bitches’ that I’ve heard comes as a response to a

while ‘Basic Bitches’ are named thus as a critique of their personal

preference or activity rather than a personality trait. I’m ‘Basic’

preferences, the term ‘Fuckboy’ seems to be largely a critique of

when I get a line tattoo or take a selfie at the top of Rangitoto,

people who treat others in a specific way. I could be wrong though,

but when I’m inquisitive, chatty or compassionate (other things

and maybe ‘Fuckboy’ shaming is a topic for another article, let me

that women my age are often seen to be) the title isn’t brought

know if I have it skewed.

Bitches’ in conjunction with ‘Fuckboys’, another derogatory term

up. As far as I see it, it’s a direct attack on what these women

27

It’s all about warmer, drier, safer homes – if you’re a landlord or a tenant, law changes from 1 July will affect you.

What’s changing?

Working smoke alarms will be compulsory in all residential

✔ ✔

process. Social housing (where tenants pay an income related

Landlords and tenants – you need to know your rights and responsibilities for keeping a warmer, drier and safer home.

rent) must be insulated by 1 July 2016 and all other rental

Learn more at tenancy.govt.nz

rental properties from 1 July.

Insulation requirements will be implemented through a staged

RTA001GSR2

homes by July 2019.

Are you a tenant? Know your rights and responsibilities If you’re someone who rents, you need to know what you can expect from your landlord, what they expect from you, and where you can go for help if have any problems with your tenancy.

Law changes under the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) covering smoke alarms, insulation, enforcement of standards and property abandonment came into effect on 1 July this year. Below are some key points about your rights and responsibilities as a tenant, including these recent law changes, or visit www.tenancy.govt.nz for more information.

Your right to a warmer, drier, safer rental

The law changes mean all rental properties must have working smoke alarms from 1 July this year.

Landlords are responsible for installing government-approved working smoke alarms appropriately in all their rental properties, while tenants have the responsibility to check and replace worn-out batteries.

There are also new insulation requirements that mean there must be underfloor and ceiling insulation in all social housing rentals (where tenants pay an income-related rent) from 1 July, and all new tenancy agreements must declare the level of insulation. All rental properties, subject to a few exemptions, must be insulated by 1 July 2019.

Resolving tenancy disputes

If your landlord isn’t doing what they should be doing in relation to your tenancy, there are steps you can take to address the problem.

First of all, you should talk to your landlord about the problem, being clear about what you need them to do. If the problem isn’t fixed and

the landlord has breached their obligations under the RTA, you can use mediation to try to reach an agreement with the landlord, or apply to the Tenancy Tribunal to resolve the matter. Either way, a binding order will be made, which can be enforced if the landlord doesn’t do what was agreed or required. Visit the www.tenancy. govt.nz ‘Disputes’ page for more information about requesting mediation or applying to the Tenancy Tribunal.

Challenging retaliatory notices

The law changes means it’s now unlawful for a landlord to end a tenancy in retaliation for a tenant exercising a right under the tenancy agreement, the relevant law, or by making a complaint relating to the tenancy. This is called a ‘retaliatory notice’ under the RTA. Tenants who take direct action against landlords will now be able to challenge an alleged retaliatory notice up to 28 working days after it has been issued.

Greater enforcement powers

Another significant change is that the government will have greater powers to prosecute landlords whose property breaches basic housing standards covering issues such as dampness, sanitation, electrical safety, security, drainage and maintenance.

A new Tenancy Compliance & Investigations Team has been set up to monitor and enforce compliance with the RTA, and they can use a number of intervention and enforcement options to ensure that landlords comply with their obligations under the Act. The team is also able to act on behalf of a tenant in the Tenancy Tribunal and District Court.

Know your rights and responsibilities as a tenant in New Zealand. Visit www.tenancy.govt.nz.

29

Mackenzie: Part One

The Mistake We’re trying something a little new for the next few weeks! Reegan Hill has written a three-part short story for y’all to follow. Have a read and let us know what you think!

Want more creative writing? Less? None whatsoever? Tell us! Email lbarks@aut.ac.nz with your feedback and be in to win a student card.

Reegan Hill I was standing in the middle of a graveyard for one reason. I had made a mistake and it had cost my friend his life, but at the end, Dillon had not been my friend. He’d decided I was a liability that he couldn’t abide by, so he’d tried to ‘let me go’. With the business he’d recruited me into, the only way you left was to die. It had been him or me; any self-respecting person would fight for their life. So that’s what I did, I hadn’t meant for him to die, I’d just wanted him unconscious so I could run away, so I could hide.

Standing across from his mother, the one person in the world who

It had been him or me; any self-respecting person would fight for their life.

I had respected more than Dillon, I couldn’t hide or run, she already knew he was with me the day he’d fallen from a two-story window.

Our fight was clear in my mind, I’d seen a life long friend and Dillon had seen us together, that friend had apparently been someone Dillon had thought was dangerous. I still had no

I hadn’t really even thought about the consequences’ of our actions it didn’t ever occur to me that what we did was wrong.

idea why, to be honest, I’d followed Dillon around like a lost puppy, I hadn’t really even thought about the consequences’ of our actions. It didn’t ever occur to me that what we did was wrong. I had been so young when Dillon had picked me off the streets, fed me, clothed me, and taught me his trade, that I’d learned to use his moral compass.

After a few months of living without him, I’d seen how wrong it was.

Now, as I clutched the hand of my best friend, the one Dillon thought was dangerous, I had no idea what to do.

“Mackenzie, dear, where have you been since we lost Dillon?”

His mother was looking me right in the eye, hers wide and full of rage. Rage was worse than remorse on that woman; she did horrible things when angry.

“Oh, you know, just around,” I shrugged. I wasn’t even convincing myself that I wasn’t guilty.

“It’s remarkable that he would lose his footing so easily, don’t you think? He was always so sure of himself.” There was no way in the

There was no way in the world that she wasn’t trying to bait me into confessing, the smirk the sparkle in her eyes. She was having fun making me squirm.

world that she wasn’t trying to bait me into confessing, the smirk the sparkle in her eyes. She was having fun making me squirm.

“The floor was wet.” Again I gave a nonchalant shrug and looked down at the stone with his name on it. Felix squeezed my hand, I’d almost forgotten he was standing beside me; the sole reason I only had one friend instead of two; I had no idea why they hated each other.

“Yes, but he had wonderfully quick reflexes, I’m almost positive he was pushed,” Denise gave a mock face of shock and then grinned at me.

“Of course he was,” Felix finally spoke up, saying exactly what I was trying to avoid. “Mackenzie pushed him.” I could say the silence was deafening but really, it was the scariest moment of my life. The shock registered on her face, there was a tugging on my hand, and a split second of decision before suddenly I was pushed behind a concrete headstone. A sudden popping sound brought me back into reality. She had a gun? What sort of person carried a gun?

Felix hadn’t hidden yet; I could see only his shoes from where my cheek was pressed against the ground. I didn’t know if the maniac had shot him

My legs moved without my consent, carrying me up and across the grass. The screams I heard surely couldn’t have been made me...

or not. It scared my witless to think of losing Felix as well as Dillon.

“Mackenzie, dear. Your precious friend isn’t going to last long if you don’t come out from your hiding place,” her voice was soft, like she was trying to coach a child, but I wasn’t a child and I knew how deceptive this woman could be.

“Go ahead,” I yelled, hoping she wouldn’t call my bluff. Pushing up off the ground, I tried my very best to stay hidden behind the concrete. Denise wasn’t the only one holding a gun. Felix had one in his hands pointed at her. What in the world had I got myself into?

“Run,” Felix didn’t look away from Denise and I couldn’t move. My best friend, the guy I thought was harmless was holding a gun. This was not right.

“I said, run,” Felix growled at me. My legs moved without my consent, carrying me up and across the grass. The screams I heard surely couldn’t have been made me, but as the popping started again, I stopped, turned and saw Felix on his knees.

“Mackenzie!” I dropped, my knees hitting the ground; the pain in Felix’s voice cut me deep. As Dillon’s brother appeared, I vowed to make sure that my last friend wasn’t hurt, wherever Denise was taking him; I was going to save him.

31

REVIEWS

Giusto Bar and Eatery: the hidden gem of Sales Street. The perfect location for a treat-yourself lunch or gorgeous night out, they’ve got a little something for everyone. But their main focus are the health nuts out there.

I would have been ecstatic had this simply been a juice review, but alas there was more to come. I decided to order off the Lunch & Dinner menu, and went for their Chargrilled haloumi & cauliflower, pumpkin hummus, golden raisins, spring onion, courgette ribbons, grapes, mixed seeds, chargrilled lemon dressing (I told you they list every ingredient). I was incredibly impressed! It was sweet, spicy, smoky, salty, and everything worked together to bring me the salad of a lifetime. I also helped myself to Ramina’s breakfast order: Dukkah crusted salmon, potato-herb rosti, pesto, micro greens, and poached egg (I know, right?), and it was just as beautiful as it sounds. Everything was wonderfully cooked, perfectly seasoned, and brilliantly executed.

Cabinets laced with various sugar-free dessert options and sandwiches, and an impressive menu that boasts the ability to list every single ingredient going into your meal, the whole-food goodness of the place warms your heart before the food even arrives.

Giusto staff was friendly, attentive, and took care of us wonderfully, and the whole atmosphere of the place was modern, but cozy. It’s a bit out of the way, but not excessively so, and it’s not hard to find when you’re looking for it. I’d highly recommend giving it a go – based on what we sampled, it’s a winner for any meal.

Our designer, Ramina, and I ventured for lunch, and started our meals with a fresh-squeezed juice each. Their Detox juice was a hit with beetroot, apple, and ginger in the mix, and I had to pace myself on the Refresher because the cucumber, mint, pineapple, and lime went down ridiculously smooth.

*Giusto is also offering a 15% off deal just for students, so if be sure to flash your ID card (and nothing more, please) to cash in on the discount!

GI U S TO 68 Sale Street, Freemans Bay Reviewed by Laurien Barks

F I N DI N G DORY Directed by Andrew Stanton Starring Ellen DeGeneres, Ed O’Neill, Albert Brooks Reviewed by Ethan Sills

For a fairly one and done movie, there’s nothing about Finding Nemo that really leaves it open to a sequel. With a 13 year wait between movies, the new instalment has the obvious air of a cash-grab around it, but despite being wholly unnecessary, Pixar manages to once again deliver a great story.

Starting with a sequence that shows Dory pre-Nemo, we learn the ever-forgetful fish was separated from her family as a child and forgot about them. Cut to the present and she has suddenly begun to remember, her slowly returning memories leading her to the marine park where she was born.

While the movie makes for enjoyable watching throughout its runtime, when compared to past Pixar films Finding Dory won’t be remembered as one of their greats. The emotion saved is sparse, the climax is quite silly and there are several elements that are bad copies of the original’s finest moments. However, the moments that focus on Dory and her struggle are incredibly moving, while there are plenty of gags that help you ride the wave until the end.

With some enjoyable supporting characters and improved visuals, Finding Dory is at least satisfying, watchable and funny even if it never truly feels necessary.

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Creamy, Crispy, Potatoey, Goodness William Bowman Last year I wrote a recipe for Debate touting the many marvels of the humble potato. I had to come back for round two. I’m a student and my bank account duly reflects that. It’s the grim reality of studying and living in Auckland, and one of the reasons that natural, real, and delicious food seems so inaccessible to most of the student population.

It really isn’t! I’ll show you this semester, right here, the same time every week.

Serves 4

• • • • • •

4 agria potatoes, sliced 2 garlic cloves, chopped Sprig of thyme or rosemary 250ml cream or milk Few knobs of butter Salt and pepper

Optional • Mushrooms, chopped • Feta, parmesan, or any cheese really Heat oven to 180°C fan bake Mix chopped potatoes, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper (and mushrooms if using) in a bowl.

Layer them in an oven proof dish and top with cream or milk. Cream is better, of course! Dollop butter evenly over the top.

Bake until golden and crispy. Crumble or grate cheese, if using, and return to oven for a couple minutes. Eat with a steak, some wilted greens, or by themselves straight from the dish on the couch.

ENGLISH WORDS YOU’VE PROBABLY NEVER USED

Bowyang Batrachomyomachy Flibbertigibbet

Pettifogger Sialoquent Tatterdemalion

Widdershins Oocephalus Mumpsimus

Ecdysiast Folderol Hobbledehoy

Gaberlunzie Logorrhea

Snickersnee Wabbit

Goombah Callipygian

Pandiculation Panjandrum

S U DOKU

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