debate ISSUE 04 | MARCH 2015
CONTENTS
CREDITS EDITOR Chloe King chlking@aut.ac.nz SUB-EDITORS Laurien Barks Kelsey-rae Taylor
3
Editor's Letter
20
Cinematic Universe
5
Prez Sez
22
New York, New Sport
6
Interview With A Dominatrix
24
An Inconvenient Truth
8
The Job Is The Payoff
26
This Column Isn't About Nothing
10
Treaty Speak
The Eight People You Meet
PRINTER Debate is lovingly printed by Soar Print
28
12
The Springsteen In My Step
15
Finding That Root Cause
Debate is a member of
Advocacy: Turn It In
30
16
Puzzle Page
Headbanging In A Swing Dress
33
18
Meet The Mentors
Our Hidden Gems +
34 35
Recipe
DESIGNER Ramina Rai rrai@aut.ac.nz CONTRIBUTORS Urooza Sarma, Matthew Cattin, Chloe King, Raj Neel Singh, Kieran Bennett, Fiona Connor ADVERTISING Harriet Smythe hsmythe@aut.ac.nz
Contributions can be sent to
debate@aut.ac.nz
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. DISCLAIMER Material contained in this publication does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of AuSM, its advertisers, contributors, Soar Print or its subsidiaries.
Competition
DIRECTORY
AUSM.ORG.NZ
CITY CAMPUS Level 2, WC Building ph: 921 9805 Mon-Thurs: 9am - 5pm Fri: 9am - 4pm NORTH SHORE CAMPUS (Temporary Location) AE112; Office D ph: 921 9949 10:30am - 1:30pm
SOUTH CAMPUS MB107 ph: 921 9999 ext 6672 Mon-Thurs: 9am - 3:30 GOVERNANCE & LEADERSHIP April Pokino april.pokino@aut.ac.nz
At Concerts
MANAGEMENT Tuhi Leef tuhi.leef@aut.ac.nz
VOLUNTEERS Romulus Swanney rswanney@aut.ac.nz
STUDENT MEDIA MANAGER Victoria Griffin vgriffin@aut.ac.nz
CLUBS Josh Tupene jtupene@aut.ac.nz
ADVOCACY Siobhan Daly siobhan.daly@aut.ac.nz
FA C E B O O K . C O M / A U S M D E B AT E
EVENTS Carl Ewen carl.ewen@aut.ac.nz
SUB-EDITOR'S LETTER Hey all, A couple weeks back, cyclone Pam came rolling through town. And while the majority of you prepared yourselves for a snuggly night indoors with your other half/cat/man-shaped pillow, I was getting ready for work. It was the night of the second Eagles concert, you see, and believe it or not, I’m only a writer by day. On occasional evenings and weekends, dear readers, I’m a donut girl; a vendor of those cinnamon-sprinkled mini donuts that you can buy at popular events. My employer is responsible for that greasy, sweet smell that underlies the majority of your gig and sports game memories. And I’m responsible for taking advantage of your drunken impulses, and weed-laced munchies that probably fell just short of the “memory line.” I kind of stumbled into the job by accident. I saw a one-off ad on student job search, applied, and before I knew it, I was selling donuts on the semi-regular. It’s actually not a bad casual job to have. It’s good pay, you get to go to concerts for free, and it’s a great way to practice spontaneous witty comebacks on smartass hecklers. Honestly, I’m usually pretty excited to work a shift when it presents itself. But that Sunday night was different. I was a big ol’ ball of cranky, whinging all the way to the Mt Smart Stadium. I liked to think my whine-fest was justified. Firstly, the concert time had been pushed earlier, which meant I had to show up earlier, which meant dinner was skipped and the “hangry” struggle was real. Secondly, the reason the concert was moved was so everyone could avoid the worst of the cyclone, but I couldn’t really find the silver lining in that – even the best of a cyclone is still a freaking cyclone. And thirdly, I was to be working in the field the entire night without shelter, and with a giant tub of steaming donuts strapped to my torso. This meant I could either wear a rain coat and be dry, or become drenched to the bone in order to avoid vomiting from heat exhaustion. The clever business-minded lass in me said the latter option was probably the best marketing strategy for my particular product.
But alas, fast forward three hours into my shift, and my business technique wasn’t really translating to success. There I was, soaking wet, slipping and sliding through a drunken crowd, my donuts displayed for the world to see, yet no one wanted a nibble. It wasn’t a high point. I was tired, soggy, and besides being the self-proclaimed winner of an imaginary wet tee-shirt contest after catching a glimpse of my reflection, there hadn’t been much joy to my evening. I was pretty damn miserable. Because I’d seen the concert, I knew the general order of the set list, so I went and tucked myself away from my boss’ eye for a moment to experience Joe Walsh’s bracket of the show. I couldn’t help but smile when he’d hopped up to take his turn the night before, immediately getting the audience to participate with grunts and vocal riffs. I figured if anything would make my raisin-esque fingers and stinging, mascara-filled eyeballs seem not so bad, it’d be Joe’s charisma. Believe it or not, I hardly even glanced at the performer on stage shaking his booty for the cameras. Whether my eyes were directed back out to the field by dread of the knowledge that’d I’d have to go back out, or a nudge from the heavens, all I know is that it snapped my lil bitch of an attitude back in check, and put a smile on my face – one that didn’t look like a cringe. Everybody in that field was just as soaked (if not more) than I was, half of them were shivering cold, many of them were cuddling under makeshift rubbish bag blankets, but they were all echoing and singing back to Joe with massive grins on their faces. In a busy society, things can become so individualized, and separated. We’re all in our “own little worlds,” with our own little victories, our own little problems, and our own little hangry-driven whinges. It’s easy to forget that so many of us can share the same warm fuzzies for the nostalgia of a band, and be connected by the happy willingness to stand, drenched in cyclone rain, and sing along to our favourites. It makes me smile that 35 thousand “little worlds” can overlap at a single common point like that. Witnessing it has only motivated me to get my donuts out there on a more regular basis, and let’s be honest: when that happens, we all win. Have a great week, Laurien 3
PREZ SEZ
I do advise that if you decide to be the ultimate prankster this year, you have everyone's safety in mind because I don't want you to be responsible for a prank going too far. Please be sensible and safe! Another holiday I am looking forward to is Easter. Who’s excited for Easter? Easter is one of my favourite holidays! And what's better is that it's my month, April. I really want a big Easter hunt this year, so if you really want one, please email me at april. pokino@aut.ac.nz and let's see if I can organise one. Let me know if you thinks it's a good idea.
PREZ SEZ Hey AuSMers So this week is April Fools’ Day. What's the best prank you have ever pulled? Ever since I was young, I’ve been pranked so I’m used to all kinds of nonsense being thrown my way. But it’s all in good fun, and ’ve even started to look forward to seeing what pranksters have in store for me. So go ahead and try your hand at fooling me this year, if it’s really good, I may even consider giving out a prize!
There has been lots happening at AuSM. Volunteer’s Breakfast went great and now I'm stoked with the amount of volunteers we have. If you still want to be a volunteer, don't hesitate to pop into the AuSM office and sign up, there's plenty of room for you. And I'm very glad that we have more clubs than last year, so remember to sign up and get involved. It's almost the mid-semester break! Let’s hope you can do your best till then. Not long to go, but I know you can do it! Good luck with your studies guys - I'm always thinking of you. A
That is why it is called a study break, not a holiday. But please relax as well. It’s good for you. Now that has been five weeks, I am sure we have all learned some new things, or did something we wish we never did. “Oh yes, the past can hurt. But you can either run from it, or learn from it.” – Rafiki, from The Lion King. These are now all valuable lessons to you, you need to learn from them. You still have the rest of the year ahead of you, so don’t worry too much about the little things.
VICE-PREZ SEZ
Kia ora and Welcome!
If you haven’t read Debate at all, my name is Urshula Ansell I am very honoured to be your student Vice President for 2015! I look forward to serving as your Vice President. Week five, wow that was fast! This happens to be our last week before semester break - talk about lucky! I encourage you to try something new over your two weeks - it can be something little or something extreme like skydiving. I was lucky to do that after I completed my first year at uni as a treat for passing. As well as trying new things, make sure you and your friends stay safe. What I always did over my break was work and earn as much money as I could. That way, I could afford to live through the semester. But, the real idea behind these breaks, and best thing to do during this time, is STUDY. This is very important and most of us will have something due the first week back.
If you feel like getting away over these two weeks, you could always go to the AuSM lodge. It sleeps up to 12 people, and is located on 43 Carroll Street, National Park, Manawatu-Wanganui. The AuSM lodge has heaps to do in summer as well as winter, with lakes, rivers, mountains, deserts and volcanoes just begging to be explored. It also has discounted prices for AuSM members, and as students of AUT, that means you! So make sure you head along and make the most of your time off. If you see me around campus, which you might during the break as well as at events or free feeds, please don’t be shy to say hi or let me know what’s up. If you are too shy or busy, please feel free to contact me on urshula.ansell@aut.ac.nz , or come to my office at WC inside the student lounge. I’ll be there waiting. If you are too shy or busy please feel free to contact me on urshula.ansell@aut.ac.nz, or come to my office at WC inside the student lounge: I'll be there waiting.
“Step with care and great tact, and remember that life's a great balancing act.” Dr Seuss 5
Interview with a photo by Adam Rhoades | flickr.com/photos/adamrhoades
DOMINATRIX The BDSM scene has largely been stigmatised by our wider mainstream culture as something that only attracts damaged and deviant people. There are a lot of misconceptions and misunderstandings, especially thanks to Fifty Shades of Grey, about what the BDSM culture is all about, but at least Fifty Shades opened up some space within the mainstream to discuss it. Chloe King spoke with Mistress Arial, who worked in two different BDSM dungeons in Auckland’s CBD for eight years as a dominatrix, to demystify the myths around this subculture.
What led you into becoming involved with the BDSM subculture? I went along to a BDSM open night at a club out of sheer interest, because the psychology fascinates me. While I was there I saw men being consensually dominated by women and I thought, “Hey, I could do this.” I felt drawn to it. I think as human beings we try to pigeonhole each other. We try, as a society, to tell each other what is right and what is wrong. The kinkster world is just another side to sexual identity, just as homosexuality or bisexuality is. I think there was something always inside of me, since I became sexually active, that was missing from my sex life. When I stumbled into the BDSM world a light switch went on, and I knew this is what had been missing. What is the demographic of people who are attracted to the BDSM scene? Everyone thinks it must be people who have been sexually abused, or that they never had father figures or other bullshit. The majority of my clients, who paid for my services, were working professionals – and we are not just talking about your general office guy. Most of my male clients where CEOs, general managers and high-powered figures – even my female clients were professionals. They came from good families, sometimes incredibly wealthy families (I charged a lot for my skills), and I even had some very well known “world-famous in New Zealand” clients. They aren’t damaged. I think many of my clients were intelligent enough to know there is more to sex than mandatory starfish and vanilla sex. I am not saying there is anything wrong with vanilla sex, simply that some people want to push their boundaries further. Fifty Shades aside, can you define what the BDSM world is for you? BDSM for me is about forming long-lasting sexual relationships with people I have things in common with, both mentally and sexually. There are so many parts to BDSM: there is the bondage and discipline and the sadomasochism. There are all the different fetishes people enjoy, and people who only engage in vanilla sex look at BDSM and say, “Oh, that is a bit sick”. But what is the difference between someone who likes to be tied up and someone who likes doggy-style? It is just sexual preference, and one is more socially acceptable than the other. You said most of your clients are men. Do you think men are raised to believe they should always be sexually dominant? Yes. They are taught to be the protector of women and that women are always submissive to them, and this does translate into the bedroom. There is so little communication between people and what they want and need sexually.
People end up subscribing to gender
stereotypes. I had a lot of male clients who wanted to explore things like anal play, but were too embarrassed to ask their partners. We should not shame men who enjoy this; there is a G-spot inside men’s asses that is surrounded by nerve endings and it gives most men pleasure. But people often shame men who like this kind of play and call them “gay”, used in the derogatory. Sex involves the whole body: the heart, body and mind, but in this society we have such small parameters around what you can and cannot like sexually. What do you think needs to change within our mainstream sex culture so we can begin to create healthy, mutually respectful and sexually open relationships with one another? Communication. People shouldn’t feel afraid to talk to their sexual/intimate partners about what they are into. We need to stop pushing ideals on to people and telling them what is normal and what is not. The BDSM culture advocates sexual consent. We have safe words – meaning if we decide halfway through a sexual act that we are no longer comfortable, we can use that word, which could be anything from “apple” to “wardrobe,” and stop what is going on. We should not shame those who are drawn to a subculture that promotes healthy sexual relationships based on communication and exploring sexual boundaries in consenting ways. Mistress Arial’s parting advice for anyone interested in exploring their sexuality in safe and consensual ways? “Don’t be afraid to be explore who you are – life is too short.” 7
THE JOB IS THE PAYOFF by Kieran Bennett It has been three months, six days and a bit since I completed a three-year long, 24 thousand dollar financial exchange for a piece of heavy card, a sense of personal satisfaction and a handshake. Or, to put it less eloquently but more accurately: I graduated. Graduating from university has been, bar none, one of the greatest achievements of my life. The commitment required to have the ability to throw a few letters after your name is monumental, and anyone who does it should be congratulated. I remember sitting in the career counsellor’s office as a fresh-faced year 13 when she showed me the AUT prospectus, and I decided it seemed like a great place to spend three years of my life. I also remember blinking rather hard, passing out for a bit and suddenly finding myself at the end of my third year. It all seemed to be over rather quickly and I was somewhat startled to realise that I was in need of a job. Luckily, and it really was luck, I managed to land myself an internship with a company in my field of study. That turned into an actual job and now here I am, on the bus at 7am to go to a place that I have been going to since December. All going well, I'll keep going to that place for a good long while. Ultimately though, I was forced to come to a somewhat uncomfortable realisation, working life is very little like what I thought it would be. But that's obvious isn't it? Almost universally our expectations are wrong, either wildly or slightly. No matter what kind of training we go through or books we read or people we talk to, the ultimate reality of working life is always different to how we imagined. We potentially see it as being a far more depressing place, or a far more magical place. Or, what’s more common, we can’t really imagine anything other than a kind of generic, grey, working life landscape where we do a task and somehow it all works out.
For me, the reality has been anything but. I have found working life to be, in terms of actual work, one of the most confusing and bizarre periods of my life. When I got my first job, my first proper job that is, it was as a minimum wage shlub at a cafe in town. The pay was crap, the work was boring and it had no chance for advancement; but it was still a way to pay for the essentials like cheap CDs. And that’s all it was, it was a way for me to earn money and spend my time. I would have been equally as happy, if a little more bored, shovelling sand from one bucket to another for $13.50 an hour. The job that I currently have however, if we stay with the sand thing, is more like carefully extracting impure grains so that a master craftsman can blow small, glass feeding tubes for orphaned kittens. My actions at my job have real consequences, my job is more than a way to earn money; and that was the part that university did not prepare me for. I spent so much time at university learning skills to do with my chosen field and learning how to be a grown up person, I didn't actually learn how to go to work. I spent the first six months of my job doing what my Dad would describe as 'toddling'. Doing nothing of any great value. I was accustomed to jobs where I, and what I did, mattered very little in the grand scheme.
“Now that I have a job, one that I worked hard to get, I'm just working more. Where's the reward? Where's the payoff?” When we speak to people in our (hopefully future) industry, they tell us how great it is. Or how crap it is. Or how no one has a job. Or how to get in to it. What they don’t tell you, or at least that’s how it seemed to me, is that you now have a real job. And that’s the thing about real jobs. They matter. They have real risks, real consequences, and real rewards. Well, that last one I'm just theorising. Working on a Sunday for minimum wage does not seem like a great reward. In any case, it was something of a startling realisation. But not quite as startling as the fact that while I was getting up 6am all week this week, I would in fact be doing that same thing next week, and the week after, and the week after that and so on and so on in a hundred different forms until I died or retired. And for me, that has been the biggest change; the biggest surprise after graduation. I can’t help but feel mildly cheated in a way. I spent all this time, effort and Money (yes with a capital M) in order to graduate and get a job. And yet, now that I have a job, one that I worked hard to get, I'm just working more. Where's the reward? Where's the payoff?
photo by David Tan
At least, that was my attitude to begin with. I came to the realisation (a lot of realising going on for me lately) that in many ways, the job is the payoff. Life is not like a box of chocolates (least of all because everyone knows you can just look at the lid to see which is which), rather life is like nutra-grain. You only get out what you put in. I had a great opportunity at university and worked hard, so in exchange I got another great opportunity and more hard work. Sadly that’s where working life gets you, you work hard, so in turn, you get to work hard. But at least you get more than a stiff bit of card and a semi-firm handshake.
9
T RE AT Y SPE AK Te Kahu Rolleston is a poetry slam champion who weaves words into bombs. He lyricizes land rights, Māori sovereignty, racism, and structural oppression. He condemns Aotearoa’s prison complex system, and the structural racism and police profiling of non-white people that sees over 50% of the prison population being represented by our indigenous people. Even though Māori make up only 15.4% of the population in God’s own. There is massive class and racial upheaval in places like Ferguson in America, where thousands have been hitting the streets to protest class warfare and the systematic and generational racism that non-white people face. This results in police profiling and shooting innocent black and brown men like Michael Brown and Martin Treyvon. The daily harassment and racial profiling some Māori and non-white people suffer at the hands of police in places like Otara and Mangere, proves that injustice is connected. Te Kahu Rolleston words speak truth in times of deceit. At Waikato Museum this year, he hosted Waitangi day, where he performed his poem ‘I, myself, do not speak for race.’ He told Stuff, "When the treaty is discussed, often a bunch of big words are used that leave people confused, but if you were to use a discourse and language that made the treaty seem cool or more intriguing for [youth] or even just easier to understand, obviously then they'll grasp it and run with it." His poem unpacks the treaty and the issues that surround it, and he powerful points out the daily racism Māori face in Aotearoa – their own indigenous homeland. I asked Te Kahu if we could run his poem in Debate, and luckily for us, he said yes. Check out his words of revolution:
I myself speak not for a race, but race to speak as myself, No one person speaks for an entire people, despite what the media make out. In 1840 on the 6th of February, this land was changed forever more, Not with the conventional weapons of war, But with wicked words written with a feather coated ink blood dripping sword. Written in a tongue not like any Taiaha tip previously heard Taking land and culture, such is the power of words. I could stand here and recite, The differences in the Treaty and Te Tiriti all my life, Or the historical wrong doings that derive from either side. I could tell you about the impact of incorrect translations. And how they've resulted in damnation for us the damned natives of this damned nation. But then someone would have to lick my Patu like I was in damn native. I could tell you about the many breaches To this countries founding document and our partnership agreement. Which essentially allows our treaty partners to be in "New Zealand."
flickr.com/photos/curiouskiwi/421774845
We are not that stereotypical miserable, media created and portrayed uneducated criminal race. If special treatment means we fill half the prisons, Donny boy, Shove it. Right up your, where you hide your wife's favorite toy!
But that's what we are now, partners. Remember it. I shouldn't have to remind you. Partners Not a people below you that simply reap, rape, and benefit From this countries WINZ benefit. I’m tired, Tired of our waka clashing against one another, on the seas. Imagine if we paddled as one, another, level could be reached. They bring up things like asking if we should change what hangs from our flagpole. They have everyone looking like strippers, naked of morals, dancing around the damn pole. Anyone who thinks deep enough knows for a fact, By removing the union jack, We sever whatever relationship the crown and natives have. There are things that we agree on as a country, why not start by showing unity with those? We have child poverty occurring every single day in this place we call home. In Pukehinahina, my Tupuna went to war under the Roman code. “Ki te matewai to hoariri whakainumia.” If your enemy is thirsty give him drink, I bow my head in pity and think, Even in times of war our ancestors were more civil then todays society, This modern world where the wealthy are our main priority. I just want constructive conversations that have outcomes to happen, Still we are hearing echoes of the Brash, Orewa speech, referring to Māori special treatment? Its quote Hone Harawira time! You mean the special treatment that sees Māori fill 50% of the prisons? The same special treatment which gives us these health issues we live with? The same special treatment that makes us look like fools with twisted education statistics? The special treatment Pita Sharples depicted, About how if a Māori and non-Māori for the same crime go through the court system Nearly every time it’s the Māori who suffers the more severe conviction?
We are left here falsely stereotyped and labeled as criminals and dumb Naked of our culture and the language, which should naturally flow from our tongue. I hear Mister Morgan trying to preach to Māori about Māori philosophy. Come on. Surely you know about decolonizing methodologies? I get that you’ve learnt the history, and I’m glad as hell, I'm even sure you believe what you are doing is good and well. But quite frankly I feel it’s not your story to tell. Waitangi, is the symbol of us coming together as one, So why is, it so often seized as an opportunity for slinging mud? Its 2015, we have lived 175 years together Still we war, Why? We need to live, to thrive here, together, as one. Under one sky, one moon, and one sun
I’m not saying I’m going to be Pākehā, or you have to be Māori, I’m saying, can’t we at least be courteous and decent as treaty partners, As opposed to exploitative and controlling. Rangatiratanga was never ceded, In fact it was promised Māori would retain Mana and keep it. That’s why there’s a generation of "RanginuiWalkers and Talkers". "Ka whawhai tonu matou" Trick , Tiriti or Treaty, you decide, It’s for each individual to decide how he or she takes it, Not for the news to give a one sided explanation. I’m not here to tell you the facts, just to tell you to get educated. So next time the discussion comes up, you can engage with the topic and debate it. Instead of resorting to being racist Trick or treaty, you decide.
11
THE SPRINGSTEEN IN MY STEP by Matthew Cattin Much to the amusement – and perhaps exasperation – of those who know me, I’ve become something of a Springsteen nut. It’s a title more commonly bared on the proud denimclad chests of middle-aged women with cattle ranch fantasies and emotional all-American dads who cry when they hear The Star-Spangled Banner, but it’s a title I’m proud of nonetheless. It brings me no embarrassment to mention I put the Born in the USA record on in my bedroom and dance alone from start to finish, and if somebody checked my internet history and found my ‘Springsteen shirtless hot” Google searches, I wouldn’t even blush. He is my boyfriend, my celeb-crush, and call him a manther all you want, but despite the 42 year age gap, our love is a special love, and you can’t shit on the truths of the heart. I first invested in Springsteen at the tail end of 2013 after discovering Rolling Stone magazine rated him the best live act in the world today. Due to touch down in New Zealand for two gigs in March 2014, I decided I ought to give him a solid listen, mostly because I have a chronic case of concert FOMO and didn’t want to be that sorry person who gets into an artist a few weeks too late. As an album person – as opposed to a hits compilation or Spotify top tracks person – I did some research, hit up JB and bought what many consider to be his best, Born to Run. For some reason – call it a hunch – I decided I would save the album for a car ride… It just sounded like a road trip album, you know? So, when the time came for a drive, the car stereo sucked the disc from my fingers, the engine jumped into life, and I pulled out of the driveway to the tinkling piano and harmonica of Thunder Road. And then, Bruce sang, full of hope and promise. “The screen door slams, Mary's dress waves, Like a vision she dances across the porch as the radio plays, Roy Orbison singing for the lonely, Hey, that's me and I want you only, Don't turn me home again, I just can't face myself alone again” I was spellbound.
At the time, I was in a bit of a rut. Fresh out of a two year relationship, a heaviness had settled in my chest, between my heart and stomach. It arrived each morning upon waking up, following me to work, to gatherings with friends, and stabbing me with a vengeance every evening. It wasn’t ideal. Born to Run shook off the dust that had settled within me, inviting me on a dream and tempting me with a promise. The album embodies an open highway with your hometown disappearing in the rear view, a venture into the unknown with nothing but a full tank of gas and the hope of finding something better. Born to Run is the musical equivalent of Frodo and Sam taking their first steps out of the Shire, and it was exactly what I needed. The fact I was identifying so strongly with an album nearly 40 years since its release is a testament to Springsteen’s poetry. Rated amongst the best rock lyricists of all, his words take me back to a time I never lived and cloud my mind with warm nostalgia for muscle cars, front porches and pretty girls in summer dresses. No other artist has this same effect on me, and I cherish the feeling Springsteen gives me. From Born to Run, I delved headfirst into his back catalogue. Prior to my Springsteen investment of 2013, I had written the poor guy off as a catchy – yet critically panned - pop icon churned out for the ladies, maybe a Bon Jovi or George Michael. What I didn’t realise is just how respected he was in the music industry, universally acclaimed by critics and idolised by so many modern musicians. As I discovered more of his albums, my crush developed and ultimately consumed me. I acquired his catchy as hell Born in the USA album, so full of singles it plays like a greatest hits. I fawned over the intimate and haunting Nebraska, an entirely acoustic album recorded in his bedroom on a four-track. Darkness on the Edge of Town and The River came next, dark and edgy and still not a dud track in sight. When March rolled around, I was more than ready to finally see my boyfriend and his band, and play they did. You can imagine my delight when my Brucey said “Last night folks got Born in the USA, tonight you’ll get Born to Run, start to finish.” I may have squealed like the aforementioned middle-aged women, but hey, I’m not even mad. It was pure magic. Y’all are probably sitting there thinking (if you haven’t already given up) that my article has no point. And maybe so, I have rambled a bit too long… But I guess more than anything I wanted to illustrate how the right music at the right time can be a limitless source of strength. And while Springsteen may not be your thing, if just one person reads this article, decides to give him a listen, and feels even half of what I feel, I count that a success. Get out there, find your rhythm, and get your groove on, friends, no matter what that rhythm might be.
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TURN IT IN Q: What turns-out from Turnitin? Are you new to uni? If so, “Turnitin” will be a mystery to you. It eats up your work and then…..WHAT? In short, it’s a tool used all over the world (believe it or not!) that lets the marker check the originality of your work i.e. whether you have plagiarised (“cheated”) or not. Just to draw you a picture, Turnitin is used by more than 10,000 institutions in 135 countries. MYTH 1: IT DOESN’T WORK Sadly, IT DOES… But how does it work? When checking originality, it compares your work’s text to a massive database of digital content (even archived internet ones), other students’ work, journals, and publications from all over the world. MYTH 2: I’M SAFE IF < 20% SIMILARITY Similarity index only tells you half the story. There is no hard and fast rule around similarity percentages. Of course, if there is a higher % it means you don’t have enough of your own brain behind your words/work BUT it doesn’t mean plagiarism fullstop. Even if you’ve got 55% similarity, if you’ve correctly referenced, this is not considered plagiarism (although you may get a lower grade for lack of originality). MYTH 3: I CAN’T USE OTHER PEOPLE’S WORK OR QUOTE THINGS Again, as long as you reference correctly, you have not cheated. It is a common mistake and a very easy way to get caught on plagiarism by not using: 1. In-text citation e.g. (Moroney, 2007) for using someone else’s idea; OR 2. A “…” on copy-and-pasted quotes. You must use “…” together with an in-text citation pinpointing to the page/paragraph when you are using direct quotes. Remember, a reference list ALONE is NOT enough!! MYTH 4: A TURNITIN REPORT IS A MISSION IMPOSSIBLE NOT ANY MORE! Now you can read a Turnitin report yourself! Yee-Ha! Here’s a quick guide to help you decipher it like the lecturers!
Ta-Da-1. At the start or end of your report, there will be a list of sources that match your work and the % of match. 2. “1, 2, 3, 4” in front is there so that you can see where in your work matches that particular source. Number 1 will always have the highest match %. 3. The highlighted/coloured bits on your work are the bits that Turnitin have found to match with someone else’s work. Again, numbers in the front let you identify which source the match comes from. When you look at the report, its pretty obvious if you have copyand-pasted someone else’s work. It will be very colourful! (like this). When there are chunks of your work in lovely colours AND they are NOT referenced properly, you have most likely plagiarised. MYTH 5: but…but…BUT…I’VE PARAPHRASED!!! “This is unfair!”, “I’m innocent!”, and “I’ve paraphrased!” Some students think that if they copy/paste, then change/add/ delete a couple of words here and there, you have “paraphrased”. This is simply wrong! These so called “paraphrased” parts of your assignment will come up on a Turnitin report like this (with a mix of highlighted and non-highlighted bits). See how OBVIOUS it is? The highlighted bits are copied and the gaps in between are the words/phrases you have inserted or changed around. This is not okay, even if you have added in-text citation at the end because you are still trying to pass off someone else’s work as your own. PARAPHRASING 101: 1. READ the paragraph/section of the book/article many many times until you get a good understanding of the meaning behind the words. 2. PUT AWAY the book/article so you are not directly reading from it. 3. RE-WRITE IN YOUR OWN WORDS your understanding/ interpretation without copying words/sentences/phrases directly from the source. 4. CHECK BACK that you haven’t changed the meaning of the original source altogether. 5. ADD in-text citation to acknowledge that you’ve used someone else’s idea and add it in your Reference List. MYTH 6: THE LECTURER IS BIASED, THEY’VE SEEN MY TURNITIN REPORT BEFORE MARKING Not true, your assessment is marked on a clean sheet more often than not i.e. without seeing the Turnitin report. After the initial marking, the Turnitin report is viewed and assessed for plagiarism. Your final mark/grade will reflect any penalty for plagiarism or poor referencing. If you get caught on plagiarism, receive an email from AUT or simply have a question about what is and isn’t plagiarism, CONTACT US. We are here to help. Email us on advocacy@aut.ac.nz with your details and concerns. Also, please forward any correspondence from AUT so that we can give you informed advice on your situation. 15
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By Laurien Barks A couple of years ago, I was given a free haircut at a fancy new salon in town. The service was fabulous, the haircut/treatment was amazing (they managed to conquer the frizz and get rid of the accidental dreads I always seem to acquire), and the shampoo head massage was other worldly. Yet when I got home I only relayed one thing back to people about my experience: “My hairdresser had the prettiest dress on!” I would later learn that it wasn’t just the dress that’d gotten me so excited (although it was pretty darn cute), it was the whole ensemble. Being the unobservant and fashionally-challenged gal that I am, it takes a pretty unique look to catch my attention. After seeing a second photo of this hairdresser on the salon website, I noticed that she’d somehow managed to style her hair and makeup in a way that perfectly complimented her outfit – it was like a costume for a 50s party, but modern at the same time. She managed to stand out in a way that was simultaneously able to
blend into contemporary culture. This was to be my first exposure to modern pinups, and I’ve been a raging fangirl ever since. While I’m not a pinup myself, I’m a big supporter of the culture and the positive emphasis it places on a few ‘hot-button’ topics in society. So to help me with the authenticity of this piece, I spoke with Miss Pinup NZ contestant, Miss Charlotte Cake, about the role pinup culture has in body confidence and modern feminism. Body confidence and feminism are closely linked. They both come down to the right to live as an individual person without being forced into standardised roles and labels that enable exterior influences to categorise. They both strive for equality despite differences – they fight to eliminate one particular difference from being glorified above the rest. I think modern pinup is a fun medium that allows categories to blend, and lines to blur; it’s a true blue definition of individuality. As Charlotte’s Miss Pinup NZ profile states, “I am a self-confessed crazy cat lady, who feels most comfortable head banging around the house to some Five Finger Death Punch in a swing dress.”
If that doesn’t personify the point I’m trying to make here, I don’t know what will. Knowing she’s a rustic baker before I started the interview, I must say that the response I received to the first stereotypical “what are your hobbies?” question came as no surprise. “Baking cakes! I love baking so much, and I love getting people together to eat cake too!” She then continued on to describe her love of films and everything Hitchcock, Monroe, or Bogart. “I love watching the elegant outfits, the perfectly waved hair, and the porcelain skin. Not to mention the glamourous gowns and outfits worn in most of the films I watch.” Her style of dress is much the same as her taste in films, “eclectic” and “vintage” are the words she used to describe it.
"Feminist pinups are what a 'modern pinup' is today. We aren't in the mid1900s anymore." “I find that I’m only buying swing dresses and swing skirts now, because I like the way they make me feel and how they sit on my body shape. I have a small waist and larger hips, so it’s nice to find clothes that actually look nice on my body shape.” This isn’t the first time I’ve heard 50s clothing celebrated for its ability to flatter, and that’s why it’s such a popular choice for those involved in the body confidence movement. “There’s something magical about putting on that swing dress and having it fit perfectly over your body no matter what shape or size you are. I love that so many pinup boutiques cater for really cute tiny little sizes, but also plus size, voluptuous curvy ladies too. It’s amazing, and really puts it out there that pinup-style clothing doesn’t discriminate; anyone can wear it and be sexy and beautiful no matter what amazing body you have been blessed with.” The ‘battle of the beauty standards’ is getting old, in my opinion, and pinup culture is such a refreshing, all-rounded contender in the fight against it.
Not only does the community and design refuse to exclude a particular body type, they manage to do some solid, allinclusive celebration. I find it a shame that there’s criticism out there that denounces this style of pinup dress and identification as non-feminist. The idea of a ‘feminist pinup’ being an oxymoron isn’t as uncommon an opinion as I’d like it to be. Charlotte’s response was to the point: “It may seem contradictory, but feminist pinups are what a ‘modern pinup’ is today. We aren’t in the mid-1900s anymore.” I think what sets people on edge is the idea of women fulfilling an aspect of traditional femininity. The emphasis that is placed on physical beauty, the time and effort it takes to produce a traditional pinup look, and the ingrained idea that looking damn good in pearls and an apron is motivated by the desire for male approval freaks people out. The idea that a housewife, passive woman, or gorgeously styled pinup (risqué or not) is anti-feminist, is incredibly outdated at this point. We live in a world where feminism can be defined by the lack of correlation between gender and rights. Where traditional, contemporary, or in-between gender roles can be fulfilled without fear of inequality, and with a mutual respect for each role’s existence. It’s about individuality being freed of categorisation and rules - and I love that modern pinup culture manages to do that in the cute and comedic style of an endearing piece of women’s history. “They are just about having fun while being a little bit risqué,” Charlotte says with regard to 50s pinups. “It’s about bringing that confidence and fun back into your everyday life.” I can see pinup culture becoming a popular norm, once again. Do I believe it’ll solve the world’s problems in terms of inequality? Not on its own, but I think it’s another positive piece to have in the seemingly endless puzzle. It definitely has this gal’s full support.
If you, too, would like to have a part in keeping the fun, quirky side of pinup alive, head on down to the Very Vintage Day out on April 11th, and support the lovely Miss Charlotte Cake in her next competition. You can also go to
veryvintage.co.nz/miss-pinup-new-zealand-2015/ and send a vote her way!
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On a full tide, you can leap from the rocks into a small channel bay, and on any tide, the high point will give you breathtaking views right up the coast towards Mangawhai.
OUR HIDDEN GEMS By Matthew Cattin |
Image by Zoe Pearson
A self-prescribed yet unapologetic beach snob, I sneer down my nose at the majority of Auckland’s beaches. I realise in the grand scheme of things, we have it bloody lucky, and the beaches that border our most populous city far outdo those of other countries, but that’s just it – we have it so good here that my snobbery is utterly justified. Let’s move on. North of Orewa is where the Auckland region starts to shine, but if you carry on north past tranquil Wenderholm and trendy Matakana, well it only gets better. I wager most of you have ventured to Tawharanui, Goat Island or Mangawhai, but it’s the relatively untouched, and often unheard of, Te Arai that really floats my boat. It’s a tiny bit further afield than popular Tawharanui, but your adventurous soul will be rewarded by a stunning beach of pure white sands and impossibly clear water. Thus far undeveloped, Te Arai is nought but a car pack and a public toilet at the end of a gravel road. Essentially the southernmost point of Mangawhai, it’s a cruisy one and a half hours north of the CBD.
Renowned for its quality waves on an easterly swell, this hidden gem is beloved by many of the region’s surfers who will arrive in droves when the forecast is good. It is here that I tried out my very first board, floundering in the shallows and splitting my lip like an utter noob. Since learning to stand, I have had some of my best days there. Head along on a calm day however, and you’ll likely have the beach pretty much to yourself. And that’s where Te Arai really sparkles; the crowds gravitate to Tawharanui or Mangawhai leaving magical Te Arai relatively lonely. Camping in a tent here is unfortunately forbidden, but I have spoken to many rebellious folks who claim it’s all goods if you’re sneaky, and apparently nobody really cares if you break the rules – so long as you’re respectful of the environment. But you didn’t hear it from me... If you have a self-contained vehicle however, you’re allowed to stay a minimum of two nights at a measly six dollars. From the car park, you will see Te Arai Point straight out in front. On a full tide, you can leap from the rocks into a small channel bay, and on any tide, the high point will give you breathtaking views right up the coast towards Mangawhai. If you can’t surf, this is a sweet spot to while away the hours watching those that can. I’m the type that could watch waves breaking for hours upon a time, so if that’s the sort of thing that tickles you, I can’t think of a better spot to do it. Alternatively, if you’re keen on your spear or rod fishing, the clear waters often yield decent snapper, kahawai and kingfish, and I’ve heard the snorkelling around there is quite stellar. So, next time you’re planning a day at the beach, pop Te Arai into your GPS and discover a Northland quality beach right on our doorstep. It won’t stay secret for long, so be sure to get in there and enjoy it before it gets developed.
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P H OTO G R A P H Y C O M P E T I T I O N We’re all about hidden gems (and bass) over here at Debate, so we decided to host a competition in their honour! We want to see your New Zealand ‘happy place.’ Whether it’s a beach, café, or your mother’s arms, we want to see a pretty picture and hear all about it (a brief summary will do…we have jobs). We’ve got a 250 dollar travel voucher from House of Travel up for grabs if we think your photo's got what it takes to claim first place! First runner up will receive Lonely Planet’s "The Big Trip: Your ultimate guide to gap years and overseas adventures” and a multi-national adapter with USB charger. Entries to be emailed to rrai@aut.ac.nz by 12pm Monday, April 20th. Winner and runners up will be notified by email and featured in an upcoming issue of Debate. #famous 19
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by Rajneel Singh There is a new dirty term in Hollywood and two years from now you're going to be sick of hearing it. It's called the Cinematic Universe and it's all the rage. Ever since Marvel Studios (now Disney) proved the concept’s formidable selling power, every studio and production company in Los Angeles has wanted one of their own. Don't be fooled, this isn't a "franchise" like the old days. You see, a franchise is generally a succession of films, based on the success of the previous entry in the series (which would also branch out into other forms of ancillary income products). Michael Bay's Transformers is a good example; repugnantly building each entry based on the box office and toy sales of the last one with an intention to never let the film-spewing cloaca rest until the intellectual property (or its audience) is good and dead. A Cinematic Universe is different; it's a front-loading of investment into a series in the hopes that it sustains long enough to actually go somewhere. Like cable-TV dramas, it's starting several balls rolling and hoping that they will reach a sort of critical-mass payoff before audience interest fades. In short, the endgame for every studio who wants a Cinematic Universe is their own, personal version of The Avengers. "Hooray" you may cry? Perhaps this will "foster better writing and storytelling in tentpole films" you posit? Not necessarily. You see the Cinematic Universe is a tougher nut to crack and to understand this we should look at some of the properties eagerly waiting to assault us and our loved ones over the next few years. First: Marvel. Bless'em. They rolled the dice with conviction and with boldness. Marvel's business model is simple, but not for beginners. See, Marvel never set out to make their version of The Dark Knight. They're not trying for serious cinema. They're not trying to blow you away with things you haven't seen, stories you haven't heard, stakes that hit you to the whiteknuckle core. No, some of their films have been a little flat, a bit bland, and not all have been crowd-pleasers. But Marvel knows this and they don't care; their model is to do justice to their characters only. It doesn't matter how bad the next Iron Man or Hulk film is going to be, just make sure you have the best Iron Man and Hulk on-screen and the studio will ride out the consequences. They've learned, from years in the comic industry, how to juggle good and bad stories while keeping their heads above water. And Marvel's third wave of films are tantalising because - with the upcoming 'Infinity Gauntlet' storyline - they will take what they achieved in The Avengers and one-up themselves to a level that's never been explored in comic book movie history. They know what they're doing and - more importantly - they know how to deal with their losses.
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Then there's DC. Oh DC. What the hell happened? They're still my favourite comic publisher, despite all of the horrible things they've done to themselves and to their staff and their readers. DC always used to have the best writers in the business. Their stories were mythic and - when they were doing it right - crossed over into the realm of literature with sobering, potent and daring probes into the human condition. But for some bizarre reason, if they're not doing a Batman movie then Warner/DC are completely lost at sea. And now they want what Marvel's enjoying; their own 'Justice League' cinematic universe. And boy are they going about it in the worst way possible. Putting aside the divisive (and honestly awful) Man Of Steel - written by one of Hollywood's worst writers and directed by a hack who is equally lost when he's not adapting comic books page-forpage - DC has had the bright idea of launching into television; a medium they've had good success in the past. This wouldn't be so bad, except that their largely successful shows like Arrow, The Flash and Gotham do not share the cinematic universe with the Justice League feature films. That's right, if you're a fan of the Green Arrow, The Flash or the TV version of Gotham City, tough luck! You won't see them in the movies. And the movies themselves look like creative bankruptcy on crack. First Snyder is returning to bring us Superman Vs Batman: Dawn Of Justice; a film that promises to not only see the two characters fight (so basically ripping off Frank Miller), but also will feature Wonder Woman (who looks terrible) and Aquaman (who looks not so terrible). Rather than launching these characters in their own films, they're going to cram them into one film and then follow this up with a series of Justice League movies, thus bypassing the Marvel method in favour of a quicker cash-grab and less story-development. Or perhaps no story-development if Man Of Steel is anything to judge by. Remember, I said that DC used to have the best writers. Now? Well there is the website "Has DC Done Something Stupid Today?" which is always worth a visit (hasdcdonesomethingstupidtoday.com). Who's next? How about Universal Studios? They're buying their way in by revisiting a cinematic universe they actually invented over 80 years ago: the Universal Classic Monsters. That's right, we're talking Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Wolf Man, The Creature From The Black Lagoon and more. Though it was
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not part of their publicity, their recent Dracula Untold feature was the first entry into a Cinematic Universe. Fair enough too; they were mixing up these monsters in film before Marvel even existed. However I wasn't that impressed with Dracula Untold which seemed very set on not being a horror movie and one can only assume that the films that will follow shall have a similar 'dark tragic hero' flavour (granted all the Universal monsters were tragic bad guys to begin with). We have to wait and see what they'll serve up next, but fair warning that the writing team is headed by the same dunderheads behind J.J Abrams Star Trek series...so set your expectations to neutral. Who else wants a ride in the Cinematic Universe machine? Well a few weeks back it was announced the all-female Ghostbusters reboot/sequel (re-quel? seq-boot?) will be part of a cinematic universe. What's the other entry? An all-male Ghostbusters movie of course. This one I can't get behind and really it's because of the way they've announced the second film this early into the process. This stinks to high heaven of Sony trying to re-engage audiences who've thumbed their nose up at the idea of an all-female movie by promising an all-male version will soon follow. I don't mind that Ghostbusters gets to have a cinematic universe - heck you could argue the Emmy-award winning Saturday Morning Cartoon pretty much sets this idea quite elegantly. But Sony didn't even wait to see if their film would succeed or be accepted, they announced this second film before the first has even started production. It really feels like they're pandering to sexist net-trolls and nostalgia-goons rather than simply trying to build a new franchise off the merits of an adventurous and brave remake. Urgh. So again...great storytelling? No chance, I'm afraid. Marvel still comes out on-tops and they're not even trying to make great 'films' more than they are pushing cinematic comic books. Are you sick of it yet? Too bad, this one will not go away any time soon. The 'Cinematic Universe' is here to stay and rest assured you will hear up to a dozen more announcements over the next year with reassurances from Hollywood that this is the 'next level' of storytelling for tentpole cinema. What's that? You don't believe them? What a surprise.Â
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Photography by Felicia Irene, 2014 AUT graduate & AUT interNZ International Scholarship Recipient, 2014 Bachelor of Design
NEW YORK, NEW SPORT Content provided by AUT's interNZ programme Porirua’s Fruean family has contributed much to the world of rugby, but 22-year-old Talima Fruean is just getting started and the impact she’s making is a world apart from the hard hitting tackle variety produced by her big brother Robbie. Talima is mentoring kids from Harlem and South Bronx, having scored an internship with New York-based Play Rugby USA, which uses rugby to develop youth in low socioeconomic areas. With her brand new Bachelor of Sport & Recreation in one hand and a one-year US visa in the other, Talima has been calling New York home since January, thanks to an AUT scholarship. As part of her work, Talima is starting a girls flag rugby team for the Manhattan Rugby Football Club. “The kids are great, they remind me of when I was working in Otara; kids who are willing to learn and have fun,” she says. “They’ve taught me that even though they come from a lower socioeconomic status neighbourhood that does not define them.” She says rugby provides benefits as a youth development tool because it’s so foreign to young people there. “It allows the kids to explore and generate interest both in the sport, then in the programme and its aims.” Most New Yorkers see rugby as a dangerous sport, she says. “That’s the first impression due to rugby having no safety gear other than a mouth guard. “The kids who are new to the sport freak out at the idea, but when explained that they will be taught safety precautions and correct techniques in tackling, they then seem to come around to the sport. Play Rugby works to promote skills in a nurturing safe environment through continuous mentorship. “I think it is great Play Rugby USA work with these kids at a young age where they are still developing, because the programmes Play Rugby deliver aim to install values and life skills that will have a positive impact in their future. “In my opinion rugby teaches not only skills of the sport but it teaches teamwork, discipline, attitude, achievement, how to deal with challenges and increases confidence. All these great attributes that children can model not only on field but off the field in the school and community environment “My father said one of things he loves about rugby is second chances. It gives players a chance to learn from their mistakes and progress. Because of that, I come to also believe this in sports. Mark Griffin, founder & CEO of Play Rugby USA, says Talima is a welcome addition to the team. "For us, it's always good to welcome on board young, passionate and qualified people from overseas; especially people from top quality institutions
such as AUT. We find they always fit in well, are self starters and with some guidance are able to lead a project that leaves a legacy after they return home." Academy manager at Play Rugby USA Ryszard Chadwick says Talima has been great from day one. “She got involved and our players responded positively from the start. The girls especially have warmed to her, as it’s rare they come across female role models.” Talima says she tries to portray herself as a role model for the kids, demonstrating the Play Rugby USA values. “I think I have made a great impression. They respond which is more than I expected. I hope I will make a change in at least one kid’s life by encouraging them to discover something to be passionate about, use it to acquire and develop life skills.”
RUGBY TEACHES NOT ONLY SKILLS OF THE SPORT BUT IT TEACHES TEAMWORK, DISCIPLINE, ATTITUDE, ACHIEVEMENT, HOW TO DEAL WITH CHALLENGES AND INCREASES CONFIDENCE. While she can draw quick comparisons between the youth of South Bronx and South Auckland, the city of New York is very different. “New York is big, beautiful and you cannot help but be in awe of the sights. It is completely different in comparison to home; it is so fast paced, everyone is career-driven or on the hustle.” She has succumbed to a few bouts of homesickness, but is overcoming them by keeping busy and taking every opportunity she’s being provided. “Play Rugby USA has introduced me to the IRB Rugby Ready and Coaching Across America courses, and have provided opportunities to coach, mentor and develop a programme if I wish to leave a legacy for Play Rugby USA.” “As well as AUT staff and past AUT interNZ who connected us with a wide alumni network – that’s made the transition experience smoother than expected.” Talima is one of 10 2014 AUT graduates now making the transition to working life inside leading global organisations as part of the AUT interNZ programme. As they completed their degrees in business, sport & recreation, communications and design last year, the scholarship recipients were hand-picked by New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles-based companies that align with their area of study. AUT interNZ International Scholarship Programme was designed to help transition and fast-track Kiwi graduates into the world of work through full immersion in a new market and culture. It was developed out of recognition that, as an export nation, New Zealand graduates will prosper in their industries with a practical understanding of our global context and how it applies to their industry. 23
AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH
by Chloe King I walked past the McDonalds near Britomart a few weeks ago and as per usual, a group of young people who are homeless were sitting outside asking for money. I know they are homeless because I had previously asked these kids were they slept at night, and one of them, a girl who could be no older than 16, pointed at the pavement. Our government has no money for breakfast programs in low-decile schools, has no money to feed the ever-increasing young people who are lining our streets but, by fuck, they can find the money to fund Team New Zealand for the America’s Cup. I know the official announcement will not come out until next month, but the NZ Herald previously tipped that our government will fund this rich person sport again, just like they did in 2013, to the tune of 36 million bucks. So while young people starve on the streets of Aotearoa, National is leaning towards throwing millions of dollars at some old boy’s boat race. If this is not a “let them eat cake” moment, then shit, I do not know what is. Honestly this is breaking my heart. I’m so sick of this government’s disgusting examples of frivolous spending at the expense of our most vulnerable. I don’t want to live in a country that is ruled by such callous and selfish human beings. Our politicians are meant to serve the people, but so many seem more interested in serving themselves. Just recently, the government spent 360 thousand dollars on designer furniture for staff at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), so our politicians can sit on couches in style. 3 news reported that three of these couches cost six thousand dollars each (that’s 18 thousand dollars…enough to pay someone’s rent for a year). The new furniture included rotating tables that go up and down for comfort. Just one of these fucking fancy table’s costs three thousand bucks. Rotating tables? Six thousand dollar couches? When thousands of people do not have a table to sit at or couches to sit on?
The sidewalk and park benches are about as “comfortable” as it gets for a lot of our homeless. Kris Faafoi of the Labour party responded, "I think most New Zealanders would think that's a bit over the top." Thanks for the outrage, Labour. Not. Faafoi downplaying this kind of mind-blowing, and unnecessary spending as a “bit over the top” is not just weak, it’s depressing. Where is our oppositional leadership? Where’s the political backbone against John Key and his thugs *cough* Paula Bennett? The opposition rarely comes from our political leaders, but from everyday people. Recently Auckland Action Against Poverty organised a direct action at the National Party’s summer fundraising event. AAAP advocate, Kate Dickies stated, “Our message was clear. The punitive and inhumane treatment of beneficiaries imposed by this government needs to stop.” Resistance to injustice, cruelty, and oppression comes from the bottom of the pyramid, not the top. It pays to remember this in these hard economic times when, instead of supporting those who are struggling to find work during soaring unemployment, or work that pays a liveable income (WINZ employees are notorious for pushing and bullying people into unsuitable and low-paid work), National has gutted our social security nets. This is a cruel and heartless act by our current leadership. Paula Bennett’s welfare reforms may save the government money, but at what cost? One of the first punitive welfare reforms under the direction of Paula Bennett was to target youth benefits. Bennett argued this would help break the cycle of welfare dependency. Those young kids sitting outside of the Britomart McDonalds are not some kind of anomaly, there are thousands of them. Bennett may be edging closer and closer to her target of pushing more and more people off the benefit (able bodied or not) including denying young people welfare assistance, but clearly, it creates problems as well as solves them.
Corrie Haddock who runs the Lifewise Café on K’ Road told me a few months ago, homelessness has grown across the board since 2008 in Aotearoa, and one area of particular growth is youth homelessness. New research recently released by the Auckland City Council shows homelessness around Auckland’s CBD has more than doubled in the space of a year. But I already knew homelessness had grown hugely around the inner city before this research came out. All you need to do is walk down Queen Street and you will see young and old sitting outside fastfood restaurants asking for money, wrapped in dirty blankets, sitting in wheel chairs and on the ground. Most people will walk past these struggling young people. I often see security guards shuffling them away, police asking them to move on – move on to where? Please tell me? Because The Auckland City Mission only has so many beds. Given this, why the fuck is this government spending six thousand bucks on couches? Why is National even thinking about throwing money at some rich man’s boat race when so many of our people are struggling to buy food and pay the bills?
Dragging yourself out of generational poverty is not easy and it will take more than hard work on an individual level to break the cycle of poverty; poverty is structural. As Diane Robertson of the Auckland City Mission said to Firstline, the number one reason for this massive growth in homelessness around our central business district is Aotearoa’s housing crisis. Dita De Boni wrote for the NZ Herald in late 2014, “We again have children and their parents living in cars and sheds.
We have thousands of homeless; old diseases and ingrained misery have returned as sections of the population struggle to keep pace with the rising cost of living.” Recently, a friend and I were on our way into the supermarket, and he told me he doesn’t give money to “beggars,” as we passed a man asking for change near the entrance. He said it was because “they just need to work harder.” I am so tired of people pedalling this dangerous poverty myth. Hard work is not a cure for generational poverty. Dragging yourself out of generational poverty is not easy and it will take more than hard work on an individual level to break the cycle of poverty; poverty is structural. An Urban Institute study found that the longer you stay in poverty, the less likely it becomes that you will ever get out. According to the Child Poverty Monitor, 24% of children live in poverty in this country – that is a staggering statistic. A huge amount of our young are starting off at a massive economic disadvantage, they are being left behind. Kids are turning up to school without shoes, without full bellies, without pencils to write with. Education is a pathway out of poverty but if you are too hungry, and too cold to learn properly, this is hardly a fair start at life. It is so easy to blame the individual for their ‘unfortunate’ circumstances, to tell those struggling to survive in Auckland to work harder or ignore those who are homeless, or put it down to bad life decisions. But as Roberton points out, this is far from the truth. "Many of them [the homeless] have been in foster care, they've been abused, and they’ve had really terrible lives before they've come to the street. It's not like somebody just makes a choice, and comes to live on the street. There's a long pathway there."
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photo: Nathan O'Nions
T H I S C O LU M N I S N ’ T A B O U T N OT H I N G The piano-shaped space in my heart (or living room carpet, if we’re being literal). by Laurien Barks
C
ontinuing on with my ‘late-bloomer’ declarations from last week, I must also confess that this summer was the first time I’d ever been immersed in the fast-paced and witty world of Gilmore Girls. In true GG style, I spent many a January evening (and the odd rainy day) binge watching episodes while I made crafts and drank coffee. One particular episode that caught my attention was the one where Rory and Lorelai are instructed by Emily to go around their mansion and put sticky notes on everything they want for themselves when Emily and Richard die. Not exactly how you expect to gain entrance to your parents’ will, but whatever works. I figured it’d be a handy and fun little system to use in a future, less morbid situation. Like, say...if your parents were in the process of deciding what to sell and what to leave behind for their Kiwi-hearted daughter when they jet off to Canada. Unfortunately when I was watching GG this summer, I was also home alone. So when my parents came home after work one evening this week, to find sticky notes on various items around the house, my ‘obvious’ solution to their decision-making dilemma was a flop. I’m joking, of course...I was shot down at the mere suggestion of the sticky note solution. Truthfully, I thought the whole ‘what stays and what goes’ dance would be almost as fun as the senior Zumba class that I accidentally became a part of
last year. Turns out the only parallels between that dance and this one are the feelings of inadequacy, and the vast amounts of stressed-out boob sweat. In all seriousness, though, I’m not all that bummed about being told I couldn’t slap a sticky note on the new flat screen. What would I do with a house full of furniture that can accommodate a family of four? I’ll be living in a single room/someone else’s fully-furnished home/back of a van in a few months...I won’t have the space or desire to deal with the stuff, myself. Yet, when a family came by my house the other day, packed up my mum’s piano, and hauled it to its new home, I couldn’t help but feel glum. Now every time I see that glaringly large, piano-shaped space in our living room carpet, giddy, slow-motion memories dance through my head. Learning Chopsticks, trying to play Chopsticks with chopsticks, my brother telling me where he’ll stick the chopsticks if I continue, Mum backing his threats one hundred percent. Aww, nostalgia. I know this is only the beginning - the couches and table are up for grabs soon. Sure, it’s just stuff, but it’s stuff that leaves an empty space behind when it goes, and that’s a little disheartening. I guess all I can do is put my big girl pants on (because my dresser’s gone and I have nowhere else to put them), and try to learn to love the memories that lie within the broken mirror and torn loveseat that my parents deemed worthy of leaving me.
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THE EIGHT PEOPLE YOU MEET AT CONCERTS by Matthew Cattin
I’ve been to a fair few concerts in my time, from arena heavyweights like Springsteen and Radiohead, to intimate venues with Fleet Foxes and The National. In every concert however, no matter the size or genre, the crowd seems to stay more or less that same. Here are the eight people I usually meet.
The Douchebag
Like a swarm of gnats, concert douchebags always seem to travel in packs. In their matching singlets, Macklemore cuts, and gym-fed arms, they’ll push their way to the front, despite arriving five minutes before the main act takes the stage. They will then talk loudly through the quiet tunes and rock out abrasively to the hard ones, with zero regard for those around them. If you’re lucky, they might even take off their singlets and treat you to a rousing spray of back sweat.
The Ol’ Yeller
Ah yes, no concert is complete without a whole lot of yelling… Some of it good, much of it bad, and most of it sexual innuendo, the yellers choose the quiet moments between songs to steal a bit of the spotlight. A good yeller is witty and quick, delivering a line so good, you’ll remember it long after the gig. My personal favourite occurred at an intimate Ben Harper show. “Is anybody coming to the show tomorrow night?” Ben asked. “I already came!” replied the yeller, to the approving venue. Take a seat friend, your work here is done.
The Token Oldie
Whether they have escaped the rest home and gotten lost, or they are genuine fans, there always seems to be at least one token silverback at any given gig. I always find myself a little in awe of the mysterious oldies, wondering about their misspent youth… Did they live out of a Volkswagen and follow a Grateful Dead tour across the states? Did they ever see The Beatles live? Do they even remember the 60s? Good on you oldies – I only hope I reach your level of cool when I’m silver.
The Horsed
Of all the concert-goers, it is the shit-faced drunks that bother me most. Whether they’re spilling their beer down your front, trying to start a fight, or leaning on everybody in an attempt to keep their feet, they have the ability to ruin somebody’s night. And furthermore, why would you pay so much for admission only to potentially get kicked out and have no memory of the night? Shameful. Get your buzz on by all means, but for the love of all things musical, don’t go overboard.
The Stoner
Music and drugs go together like Hall and Oates, and it was only when I turned 14 or 15 that I realised “the concert smell” was actually just weed. Ahhh, the joy of ignorance. You’ll often find the stoners right in the heart of the mosh, concealed from the prying eyes of security, sending up heavy puffs of smoke and smiling with glassy eyes. Naturally, some concerts attract stoners more than others, and I’m often surprised at how often I see middle-aged folks enjoying a cheeky spliff as they no doubt relive their youths at nostalgic gigs.
The Resistance
In the sweaty spaghetti of many mosh pits, there is often at least one who just does not get it. Like a rock in a river, they will refuse to go with the flow, choosing instead to stress the feck out and writhe like a trapped animal at the slightest hint of contact with a fellow mosher. This usually ends in some pretty colourful language, a few shoves, a sprinkle of tears, and eventually security removing the uptight noob from the mosh. Good riddance.
The Grinder
Most often appearing in the form of drunk single females or randy couples, concert grinders like to get down, and they don’t care who’s watching. Or maybe that’s all part of the thrill… Unfortunately, grinders aren’t necessarily confined to the younger demographic, and it pains me to say I’ve witnessed senior couples drunkenly groping and grabbing at one another at none other than hunky Rod Stewart’s vineyard concert. Do ya still think I’m sexy, Edna?
The Diehard
Sometimes, seeing the band you’ve idolised for years can get a little too much, and emotions begin to leak down your face. We’ve all been there. Diehards are great for the most part, and I always have a chuckle when I see somebody front row absolutely losing their shit. I’d be lying, however, if I said I had never shed a sneaky man tear at a gig before. But that’s what it’s all about, amiright?
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F I N D I N G T H AT RO OT C AU S E
by Urooza Sarma On a particularly miserable and rainy day in Auckland last year, I was listening to the sad harmonics of my Autumn playlist – when a particular line from one of my tunes struck a nerve in the feels-gland*: “My roots have grown, but I don’t know where they are.” (Cats & Dogs by Head and the Heart) As a child of immigration, my roots have been anchored, then uplifted, then anchored and then uplifted – no doubt growing in the process, but not defined to one place or way of life. One of the fields in which I feel this sense of dispersal, is that of education. I spent my primary years at an all-girl Christian school with a giddy passion for discipline, academics and not walking on the grass. By the time I was 11, I could name every country in Africa along with their capitals and population size, recite the times-tables till 20 and quote fragments of English and Hindi literature. So naturally, when I entered Intermediate in New Zealand and was told that I could be in the Math-ex team (the geek version of being on the rugby team) because I knew how to do long division, I was both in and out of my element at the same time. Suddenly, my school experience became about co-curricular activities, forced reading time, and no homework over the weekends.
As a child of immigration, my roots have been anchored, then uplifted, then anchored and then uplifted – no doubt growing in the process, but not defined to one place or way of life. A conversation with a friend from primary got me reflecting on my educational roots, and how much of a contribution my different experiences have had on moulding my ideas on the topic. Naturally, all the freshest memories are the strongest and my thoughts were rose-tinted with the versatility and semi Laissez-faire attitude of my schooling in New Zealand and I argued my little heart out, listing the pros of this education system. With my long list of pros in hand, and my passion for articulating my opinion, I visited my old primary school a couple of days ago, adamant that I was going to change the education system. Instead, I left feeling humbled and proud. Whilst the school remains in its same architectural glory, limited tuck-shop options and the grass still remains very much untrodden, 10 years is a pretty good time frame in which to effect a change in mind-set. Producing the country’s top academic scholars is now complimented with producing socially aware, technologically advanced young ladies, the sports-field was littered with girls playing soccer, and the choir that initially only ever sang ‘Que sera, sera’ was now practicing an ‘as-risque-as-it-can-get’ cover of Boom Clap by XCX. The feels escalated when the same science teacher who taught me the states of matter back in year four, beamed with pride when I mentioned my BSc, and the tuck-shop-lady saved a couple of the world-famous-in-Marys-samosa-sandwiches for us. But, the most defining, yet hardest-to-define feeling was the feeling when I walked in the big iron gates, the grey-cobbler stone building, vile green walls of the library, sack-like pinafores, and colourful ties brought back that sense of familiarity and belonging - the kind of feeling of being so grounded to a place, that only being uprooted from it can provide. Not knowing where my roots are doesn’t mean they’re lost, it just means that I have more than one place to which I can be anchored. *the feels-gland when stimulated inhibits the function of the logical reasoning capability of the brain.
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Students benefit from the learning environment within learning communities in a variety of ways. The mentors try to avoid teaching but instead explain, break-down and potentially offer a new perspective when looking at a question or theory that the lecturer may explain differently. Antony says “Some students benefit from actually understanding the content, so while our role isn’t actually to teach content a lot of the students feel a nervousness about approaching lecturers…they can be much more comfortable seeing a fellow student who has the same experiences as them in terms of deadlines and those kinds of things and who can explain the material often in a more easily accessible way.” The team is passionate about talking to students who may be second guessing University or their subject choices and together finding a solution that has the best for you in mind.
“University is a whole new learning paradigm, this gives students the chance to excel outside of the classroom”.
MEET THE MENTORS A N TO N Y N O B B S by Fiona Connor
Antony Nobbs is more than just a kick ass guitarist and rock n’ roll enthusiast. He is also super passionate about making your experience at AUT the best possible as the Learning Community Manager within the Student Services offered here at AUT. An intelligent intellectual with a savvy attitude, he is definitely a staff member you want to become acquainted with. Antony and his team of 88 student mentors are here for us, determined to help you wherever help is needed. Antony’s role is to recruit, train and run student mentors and their job is to support, guide and motivate you to succeed to the best of your abilities while studying. The team offers to assist you through anything you may be chasing extra help with whether it be basic academic skills or content based queries. Even if you just would like another person to talk to, pastoral mentors hope to make you “feel a sense of belonging to the University.” Antony and his team are dedicated to encourage you throughout your time of study, should you want it, and aim to empower you to grasp any academic goals and further your self-motivation skills.
After speaking to Antony it’s easy to see why 2981 students took advantage of the service last year alone. Some of these mentors work in culturally specific groups catering to a variety of ethnicities including Maori, Pacifica and Chinese whereas others work content based spread throughout the three campuses. Antony recognizes the importance of appealing to each person and the individual needs that they may require while taking into consideration personal limitations or previously implemented standards. Some people work better in a one on one environment and feel the pressures of a classroom too much for example when it comes to wanting to ask questions but being too shy to do so. Antony admits the transition between secondary school and Uni can be quite daunting and challenging. “University is a whole new learning paradigm, this gives students the chance to excel outside of the classroom”. When asked why he is so passionate about making students succeed, Antony says “you are dealing with real lives. You want to help students succeed in any way you can.” If you feel like you would benefit from one on one support from a mentor through Student Services, you can go online to your Uni Central homepage. You can there follow the instructions to booking online your first appointment. For anyone who shares Antony’s vision and wants to join his team of mentors you can find information regarding becoming a Peer Mentor in the same place. As Antony says “Let’s do something that helps people. Helping to widen their future possibilities.”
RECIPE
GOLDEN CORN FRITTERS Extract from One-dish Dinners by Penny Oliver I especially love light, golden corn fritters made with fresh corn. My corn fritters are lightly spiced with cumin, bound together with yoghurt and cornmeal, then gently fried until golden and crisp.
Preparation and Cooking Time: 30 minutes Serves 4 • • • • • • • • • • • •
1 spring onion, thinly sliced 1 teaspoon dried chilli flakes 2 tablespoons each of finely chopped parsley and coriander leaves 2 cups fresh corn kernels (or use canned) ¼ cup fine cornmeal 3 tablespoons plain flour sea salt and ground black pepper to taste ½ teaspoon ground cumin ½ cup thick Greek yoghurt 1 large egg 4 tablespoons olive oil crisp shaved bacon, sliced avocado, your favourite tomato chutney, crumbled feta, salad greens and lemon wedges to serve.
In a bowl combine spring onion, chilli, herbs, corn, cornmeal, flour, seasoning and cumin. Whisk together yoghurt, egg and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Add the liquid to the dry ingredients and stir together to form a batter. Let the batter stand for 10 minutes while you cook the bacon and prepare the accompaniments. To cook the corn fritters, heat remaining oil in a frying-pan over a medium heat. Spoon 1½ tablespoons of batter per corn fritter into the pan, and flatten. Cook for 3–4 minutes or until they bubble and brown. Turn and cook the remaining side for about 2 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Add more oil if required. Serve with crispy bacon, slices of avocado, tomato chutney, feta, salad greens and lemon wedges on the side.
Reproduced with permission from One-dish Dinners by Penny Oliver. Published by Penguin Group NZ. RRP $40.00. Copyright text © Penny Oliver, 2015. Copyright photography © Manja Wachsmuth, 2015. Available nationwide
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