Debate | Issue 7 | All About Auckland by Debate Magazine

DEBATE Issue 7 |All About Auckland | July 2018

Graduates take on the world with AUT Internz Your AUT degree can unlock amazing opportunities for internships and graduate roles

Jess Willis

Taylor Duncan

Sharleen, Simon and Zoe

Taylor Sommerville

Michael Lough

Jess Smith

INTERN - OXYGEN EVENTWORKS, NEW YORK Bachelor of Arts

INTERN - GOODWORLD, WASHINGTON DC Bachelor of Communication Studies

INTERNS - TIMEZONE ONE, CHICAGO All Bachelor of Communication Studies

INTERN - PLAY RUGBY USA, SAN FRANCISCO Bachelor of Sport and Recreation

INTERN - NZ TRADE AND ENTERPRISE, VANCOUVER Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Communication Studies

INTERN - PARAMOUNT RECORDING STUDIOS, CALIFORNIA Bachelor of Communication Studies

Contents

A Culinary Tour of Lorne St :: Page 8

Auckland's Best Getaways Page 18

Clubbing for Seven Days Page 20

Dos and Don'ts of Auckland Page 34

Semester-Starter Energiser Page 44

C OV E R I L L U S T R AT I O N BY H O P E M C C O N N E L L

EDITOR Julie Cleaver debate@aut.ac.nz DESIGNER Ramina Rai rrai@aut.ac.nz ADVERTISING Jesse Jones jesse.jones@aut.ac.nz

CONTRIBUTORS Aaliyah Zionov, Abigail Johnson, Crystal Wu, Gabbie Tutheridge, Helen Shelvey, Jake Kampkes, Jessica Lace, Karyn Tattersfield, Laura Brookes, Liam Simpson, Mackenzie Valgre, Melissa Koh, Marisa Aoys, Rachel Roberts, Vanessa Arapko

PRINTER Nicholson Print Solutions DISCLAIMER

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

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 AUT STUDENT ASSOCIATION (“AUTSA”). 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 AUTSA.

PUBLISHED BY

plenty of… ‘unique’ people on the street that make the city special – for good and for bad. First, there’s that old couple that play the banjo and sing biblical songs. I’m pretty sure we’ve all been on the same journey with them: once thinking they were adorable, then realising they sing about hatred and yell at people on the street, so feeling betrayed and turning against our beloved old maiden and man couple. The disappointment was real. Then there’s the awesome guy who always wears black and dances his ass off in front of Starbucks. As one of the best beatboxers in Auckland, and clearly a rad dancer (who seems to know everyone in the entire city), this dude adds flair and happiness to the streets. Of course there’s the awesome guy who plays that soul-touching Chinese violin-looking instrument. His sweet tunes and forever stern face transport me to sitting on the Great Wall of China and waiting for the Huns to attack (all my limited knowledge of this history originates from Disney’s Mulan). There’s also the Hare Krishnas, whose dancing, bells and annoying positivity have surely garnered thousands of groans on Friday nights. I must confess: when I was too young to go clubbing, my friend and I once settled for dancing up and down the streets with them for several hours. Embarrassing, I know, but they offered us food and we didn’t die, so I consider that a win.

Editor’s Letter Welcome back fam! I hope you all had epic breaks travelling to Europe or down to Ruapehu or just watching 3-weeks straight of Netflix. You deserved it. Since you’re all back in the marvellous (©John Campbell) City of Sails, we decided to dedicate this issue to being ‘All About Auckland’. And yes, we do cover rent and housing prices, but no, that’s not all. One contributor, Marisa Aoys, goes clubbing in Auckland for seven days straight; another, Abi Johnson, explores the best op shops in the city; one of our resident feature writers, Laura Brookes, delves into homelessness; and there’s a tonne of other solid pieces in this special longer edition of Debate. For me, when thinking about what makes Auckland uniquely Auckland-ish, grand images of Piha and Mt Eden come to mind. But above natural landmarks, I believe it’s often the people that make a city uniquely ‘it’. And in Auckland’s City Centre, there are

There are countless other groups who make Auckland special, like the Christian dancers who perform highly choreographed and dramatic moves every Friday in front of Aotea Square in perfect unison, forcing one to ask, “HOW LONG DO THEY PRACTICE TO BE SO IN TIME?” There’s the Falun Gong organ harvesting protesters; the rad jazz band that sometimes pop up near the Civic Theatre; the random scary-looking statue people; and so many more. Auckland is a unique place full of crazy characters, good coffee, some culture and its fair share of problems, and I hope you enjoy this magazine which delves into as many of these topics as we could muster. See you in two weeks, Julie

Can't get enough of Debate? Check out our website, like or follow us on social media, or email the editor to get involved. www.debatemag.com

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What's On?

Cheap, free and koha events around town

ICT & Engineering Careers Fair Where: AUT City Campus, WZ building, Level 1, WZ111 and WZ118 When: Wednesday 25 July, 11am-2pm What: Meet some of NZ’s top ICT and engineering companies, including Fisher Paykel Healthcare, NZ Defence Force, KPMG, EY and heaps more. How much: Free

Hikuwai Sounds

Clubs Week

Where: AUT City Campus, Hikuwai Plaza When: Friday 20 July, 7.30pm-11pm What: Start the semester off with a solid party in the quad, rocking out to Kings, Theia and Jess B. If your goal for the semester is to get more involved in student life, this is a good place to start! How much: $20 for AUT students, $30 for other tertiary students and $35 for GA

What: Want to help make AUT’s clubs as cool as Auckland Uni’s? Come along to a Clubs Expo on any AUT campus and see how you can get involved. When/where: Tuesday 24 July, MH Foyer South Campus, 10am-2pm; Wednesday 25 July, AF Foyer North Campus, 10am-2pm; Thursday 26 July, WG Level 3 City Campus, 10am-2pm. How much: Free

Pre-Careers Fair Workshops

AUT Internz Information Session

Where/when: City Campus WG404, Thursday 19 July, 12-1pm; City Campus WG308, Friday 20 July, 11am-2.30pm (Match Ready); City Campus WZ141, Monday 23 July, 3-4pm City; South Campus, ME103, Monday 23rd July, 12-1pm What: The AUT Employability team is offering workshops on ‘Networking at the ICT and Engineering Careers Fair’ so you can make an awesome first impression. How much: Free

Where: AUT City Campus, WH125 When: Tuesday 24 July, 12-1pm What: Attend this event if you graduate in 2018 and you’re keen to apply for a role with one of AUT's international hosts next year. You’ll hear from previous recipients of the scholarship and find out everything you need to know about applying, visas, living arrangements and more. Register at E-Lab Online (formerly CareerHub). Places are limited. How much: Free

Clubs Battle Where: Vesbar, AUT City Campus When: Thursday 26 July, 6pm What: If you’re part of an AUTSA club, get your crew together and compete with the other clubs to see who’s the fittest of them all. Spot prizes available on the night, including 2x $50 Bungalow 8 bar tabs, 1 x $60 Vesbar bar tab, and a free stay at AUTSA's Mount Ruapehu Lodge! How much: Free

news

A Farewell to Ursh By Julie Cleaver

General Manager and the Special Projects Officer.

committed to achieving the best for the students.

During her two-year term as Student President she fought to implement lecture capture and a cap on parking prices on the South Campus – schemes which have both been implemented. As General Manager she moved a motion to get staff members a pay increase, helped the Association gain Rainbow Tick Certification and helped lead the Association’s rebrand from AuSM to AUTSA.

“She has made significant contributions to many important developments in student life and politics including the recent restructure and rebranding of the student association, one that I am sure will benefit all students studying here.”

As Special Projects Officer she drove the project ‘Foodie Godmother’ – a food pantry for students which is available on all three AUT campuses.

“She’s pretty much the back-bone of this organisation. She’s got a lot of knowledge, experience and is just an all-round GB.”

After five-and-a-half years of working for AUTSA (formerly AuSM), on Friday 29 June Urshula Ansell had her last day at the Association.

According to AUT’s Vice-Chancellor, Derek McCormack, Urshula has made an impressive contribution to student life.

Over the years Urshula has served as an SRC Member, the Vice-President of the Association, the Student President, the

“During her time as president of AUT’s student association, I found Urshula to be diligent, considerate, insightful and totally

engage students and staff. One of the organisers of the event, Kyle Richmond, says less than fifteen people attended, which is fewer than anticipated. “We’d like to have more people, but you don’t know until you try,” he says. However, according to event participant Julie Cleaver (who is also Debate’s Editor) fewer than five people attended the event.

Early morning rave flops at AUTSA event launch

“I was the first one there and I decided to dance by myself for a bit to support the event. Then a few of my colleagues from AUTSA joined, but we were the only people there."

A morning dance rave at the AUT gym saw a disappointing turnout.

According to Imogen Brade, AUTSA's Events Manager, the Association is organising and marketing plenty of events, students just need to get involved.

The Auckland University of Technology Student Association (AUTSA) hosted a morning dance party with free breakfast to

"Morning Glory is a fantastic concept and despite our marketing efforts we did still fail to get any student engagement. We are

By Crystal Wu

AUTSA’s Marketing and Sales Manager, Jesse Jones, says Urshula’s presence will be strongly missed by all staff members.

Ramina Rai, AUTSA’s graphic designer, has worked with Urshula for around five years and says she is one of the most inspiring people she’s worked with. “I’ve seen her in multiple roles throughout her time here and have watched her grow and excel. She’s a hustler with a heart of gold.”

always looking to put on a calendar of varied and interesting activities for students and the difficulty we now face is to get students to try something different and to come along." Morning Glory was a free event for all AUT staff and students on 25 May from 7am to 9am held in the AUT City Campus gym. Participants were invited to a two-hour morning dance party with George FM DJs ‘The Bravhu Brothers’ and a free healthy breakfast afterwards. It was advertised on the AUTSA Facebook and Instagram pages and on posters around the University and halls of residence. Mr Richmond says AUTSA is planning to organise a second event next semester. He says the Association will be publicising the event earlier and putting forward more offers in addition to the free breakfast. “We will be encouraging more students to come by offering free coffee on entry,” he says.

Alarming fuel prices impact university students in Auckland By Gabbie Tutheridge

Gull says most are out of their power.

Students fear they will not be able to afford fuel as prices continue to surge.

Rohan Mehta, Gull pricing analyst, says, “The increase across Auckland is something that is beyond our control. This unfortunately will have to be passed onto the customers.”

On 1 July the price of fuel in Auckland increased by 11.5 cents a litre due to Auckland Council’s fuel levy, and this is sending students into panic mode. According to the app Gaspy, which finds cheap fuel in New Zealand, currently 35 stations across Auckland are selling 91 for $2.30 or more a litre (as of Tuesday 3 July, 3.30pm). At the same time, the most expensive petrol station on the app was GAS Mascot Avenue in Mangere at $2.39 a litre for 91. Nina Bly-Pieterson, a 20-year-old Bachelor of Communications student at AUT, says the rising prices will impact her greatly. “It’s so expensive, even now that they have put the minimum wage up, it means nothing because you are paying that much for fuel to get to work or where you need to go,” she says. Fuel companies are trying to combat these rising prices, but low-priced fuel company

The fuel tax will have a 10-year duration on both diesel and petrol. Lexi Ross, a 21-year-old AUT student, is upset about the rising price of petrol. “This will be quite taxing on my bank account, as it’s already a struggle to afford petrol weekly with the amount of travelling I do,” she says.

Mr Twyford adds that what hits low income households the hardest is a lack of accessible and frequent transport, which this tax will supposedly fix. “When you have several shift workers in a house on the minimum wage it forces them to own and run several cars because the public transport isn’t available to get them to work. This impacts poor households more than a modest increase in their petrol prices.” Student Ms Bly-Pieterson does admit the fuel tax could be favourable in the long run.

Mr Mehta acknowledged that money is scarce for students, but he says, “It’s not just students, people across all of society are always conscious about how much they spend on fuel.”

“It will be good when they use that money to improve the public transport, but for those 10 years we are just going to be paying an excessive amount of money when we can’t even use public transport because it is pretty average.”

However, according to Transport Minister Phil Twyford, the fuel tax is necessary as Auckland’s transport is a “basket case”.

Ms Ross says the Government should also consider students.

“The regional fuel tax will enable Auckland to build the transport infrastructure – including a modern public transport system with light rail – it desperately needs.”

“The Government should have some sort of student discount for fuel, or have some sort of weekly or monthly allowance for fuel,” she says.

A Culinary Tour of Lorne St Words and photography by Jake Kampkes | Illustration by Hope McConnell The AUT food court sucks ass. Sorry, but someone had to say it. As such, when the opportunity arose to find a better alternative, I jumped at the chance to showcase the best four food joints that Lorne Street has to offer. I do this because Lorne Street is both the food court we deserve and the one we need right now. Note that all ratings are out of five.

Receptionist Coffee

Nice Dumplings

In this bountiful land of excellent coffee places, one must stand head and shoulders above the rest. And Receptionist Coffee is it. When I went into this, I was not expecting to find one of the best coffees of my life in a 2x2m hole in the wall, half way down Lorne Street. But I did. The owner is god-damned charming too, so if you’re in the mood for a coffee and a quick chat, stop by this small square of heaven.

Got $5 to your name, no food for breakfast and Studylink not coming through ‘til tomorrow? For the best calories-per-dollar ratio of any place on Lorne Street (or perhaps all of Auckland), Nice Dumplings has you covered. With 10 dumplings costing $6, six pork buns costing $5 and four pieces of fried chicken costing $5, make sure you prepare your stomach for a deluge of carbohydrates.

Coffee: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Price: 3.5 Overall: 4.5 perfect cups of coffee

Food: 2.5 Price: 5 Overall: 3.5 food comas

The Kimchi Project

Mentatz

Damn this place is cool. I don’t like kimchi all that much myself, but despite this I loved every part of TKP. As you walk in, the unassuming exterior gives way to an Alice-in-Wonderlandesque conservatory. Colourful parasols adorn the ceiling and a serene garden grows around the tables. Follow that up with scrumptious bao buns, perfectly balanced coffee, and affably friendly staff, and you have the nicest establishment on the street and a suitably impressed partner.

With the finest balance of price, taste, and atmosphere, I present the best establishment in the Street of Lorne: Mentatz. You know that feeling when you’ve been walking home at night, and you’re so cold you can’t remember what it’s like to be warm, and then you step into a warm kitchen with friends and family and it fills your soul up with a warm glow? Yeah, tonkotsu ramen from Mentatz is that in noodle form. At $10, this bowl of heaven makes Mentatz the King of Lorne Street.

Food: 5 Drinks: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Price: 1 Overall: 4 whimsical parasols

Food: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Price: 4 Overall: 5 glorious bowls of ramen

USA v Auckland – which one trumps? AUT Internz organises and funds international internships for AUT students during their final stages of study. Karyn Tattersfield asked a few 2017 graduates, now interning in North America, how their host city compares to Auckland.

Jess Tweed, Facebook, New York

April Gourdie, Allbirds, San Francisco

What’s the biggest difference between Auckland and New York? Definitely the number of people. New York City has nearly six times the population of Auckland but only 70 percent of the size. So you have more people, more traffic, more noise, more rubbish, more events, more shops, more of everything. It's exciting and overwhelming at the same time.

What’s the biggest difference between Auckland and San Francisco? You can walk one block in San Francisco and feel like you’re in a completely different place. Each neighbourhood is so densely compact with a different culture and people, and it constantly amazes me that I can walk into a different world within five minutes.

Why did you want to leave Auckland to intern at Facebook? I had applied to a few of the AUT Internz positions because I wanted an adventure and to get some international work experience. Of course I love Auckland but when you have the opportunity to move to NYC and work for one of the biggest social media companies in the world, that's not something you turn down! New York is teeming with some of the most talented people in the world so what better place to network and kickstart my career?

Why did you want to leave Auckland to intern at Allbirds? It was an incredible opportunity to go overseas, to a big bustling city with support from my university and set up with an internship at a job exploring the industry I wanted to get into straight out of my degree in textile design.

What does living in New York make you appreciate about Auckland? I miss being able to jump into my car and go on a roadie for the weekend.

The calm you can easily find in Auckland; it’s not always bustling and cars aren’t always honking at each other.

When will you come back to Auckland and what’s the first thing you’ll do when you get here? If I can help it, I don't plan on coming back to Auckland any time soon. I'll probably try to go to London after my US visa expires and keep the ball rolling on my international adventure. But when I do come back the first thing I'll do is get a flat white and take a stroll through the Domain with my mum. I really miss clean air, good coffee and my friends and family.

What does living in San Francisco make you appreciate about Auckland?

When will you come back to Auckland and what’s the first thing you’ll do when you get here? My internship has been extended so I’ll be here until March 2019, which is really awesome and I’m very excited for it! But I can’t wait to walk up Mt Eden and have a hot chocolate on the way down in the shops.

Matilda Poasa, Sundance Institute, LA What’s the biggest difference between Auckland and LA? Traffic! Oh, you thought Auckland traffic was bad? Not. Even. Close. LA traffic is brutal and at all hours of the day, every day of the week – in any direction. You need to go somewhere that’s 10 minutes away? Expect to get there in 30 minutes. What makes traffic even worse is that people drive so crazy. No one signals, you can turn right on a red light while cars are still coming from the left, and merging like a zip? Forget about it. If LA traffic had a theme song it would be Ludacris’ ‘Move Bitch Get Out Da Way’. Why did you want to leave Auckland and intern at Sundance? “Storytellers broaden our minds: engage, provoke, inspire, and ultimately, connect us.” – Robert Redford (President and Founder of Sundance). That’s what I want to do. Tell stories that do all of the above. Leaving Auckland to go intern at a place that champions authentic voices, ideas, stories and storytellers – easiest decision I have ever made. What does living in LA make you appreciate about Auckland? People in Auckland are a lot friendlier. You smile at someone you walk past in Auckland and chances are they’ll smile back. You smile at someone you walk past in certain parts of LA and they'll look at you weird. Some people genuinely don’t know what to do. They get suspicious and walk faster or they just stare at you. I dunno, maybe I just smile weird. What’s the first thing you’ll do when you get back to Auckland? Driving straight from the airport to a bakery for a pie... or two.

Taylor Duncan, Goodworld, Washington DC What’s the biggest difference between Auckland and Washington DC? When I was studying I was living at home, so the cost of living was a massive change! DC is definitely not the cheapest place to live. I’ve practically lived off peanut butter on toast. Although, Ben and Jerry’s icecream is way cheaper here, which is a curse and a blessing rolled into one. Why did you want to leave Auckland to intern at Goodworld? I had lived in Auckland my whole life, and I was ready for a change. The opportunity came up to apply for international internships and there was no way I could turn that down. What does living in DC make you appreciate about Auckland? Politics is a huge part of conversation around here (for obvious reasons), and I stay out of all of it! In general I find Americans are so strong-willed and opinionated in that sense – I often think about how different it is here compared to the 'she’ll be right' Kiwi vibe. When will you come back to Auckland and what’s the first thing you’ll do when you get here? My first steps will be to buy an Allpress coffee, run along the waterfront and drive to the West Coast to see the sunset over the water – but right now I’m making the most of the summer. Want to find out for yourself what makes Auckland different to a major international city? Attend an AUT Internz International Scholarship Information Session from 12-1pm on Tuesday 24 July. Full details and registration at E-Lab Online (previously CareerHub).

The Ultimate Guide to Auckland’s Op Shops By Abigail Johnson Some people hike (what’s that?) or go camping (never heard of her) in their downtime. I op shop. Nothing fills me with adrenaline like a dusty warehouse stuffed with your grandmother’s castoffs. Feeling through the racks for silk or cashmere. Pouring through labels for a World or Zambesi. Imagining backstories for the wedding dress section (seriously… so many wedding dress sections). And though my dust allergies hate me for it, my savings account – and totally unique wardrobe – can’t thank me enough. Here’s what I’ve learned on the hunt.

Where to Op We hold these truths to be self-evident: not all op shops are created equal. Where some are renowned for their abundance of treasures, others will land you with fleas. Also, a caveat – I will not be including the likes of Tatty’s or Recycle Boutique here. These are ‘designer seconds’ joints where pieces sell for upwards of $60. Not our buzz, fam.

the ceiling is high, and the radio is blaring smooth Kenny Rogers. Set up like a clothing supermarket, SaveMart is where you’ll save real bucks and maybe makeover your entire closet. Pour slowly through the designer and vintage racks and be sure to use a trolley. Also, it’s best to turn up early; when the changing rooms shut they shut. SaveMart is organised chaos, and they won’t be adapting to accommodate you.

SaveMart

Paper Bag Princess

New Lynn, Onehunga, Takanini, Northcote, Manurewa The beauty of SaveMart lies in its simple familiarity and utter lack of pretension. Each is like the other. The light is yellow,

K Road, Henderson

Paper Bag has the coolest rule in the game: nothing over $20. It’s also stuffed with some of the best designer and vintage – not even SaveMart will nab you Karen Walker

that cheap. Paper Bag is sort of the Ibiza of Auckland op shops: the music is LOUD, the workers are intimidatingly cool and you may leave unsure of what just happened. Enter at your own risk and be rewarded.

Red Cross Shop, Waiheke Island 132 Oceanview Road

The best part about this one is its $1 book policy. Plus, Waiheke dwellers are literary folk – you’ll find some gems here. It’s also the place to pick up some cheap togs if you’ve forgotten to bring any. I mean, buying second-hand togs is totally up to you. I did it once. They had the tags on! Okay, no they didn’t. Do I have a problem?

Paper Bag is sort of the Ibiza of Auckland op shops: the music is LOUD, the workers are intimidatingly cool and you may leave unsure of what just happened.

St Vincent de Paul, Onehunga 345 Onehunga Mall

This place caters to a variety of wants. Clothing? Check. Furniture? Check. Paintings? Books? Check and check. The reason this one’s so very brimming is that it used to be two op shops side by side. I imagine they chanted, “No border! No wall!” as they knocked the divider down and converted them into one. Seriously, you can kill a number of hours here. Take your time.

Mercy Hospice Shop, Ponsonby Road

Also: Mt Eden, Point Chev, Ellerslie, Onehunga, Royal Oak These tend to be on the fancy side, but generally with no major price hike. I recommend this one specifically because it might have the cheapest threads on Ponsonby Road. It’s also where all the rich women drop off last season’s merch, or the things they were photographed wearing in Spy. Never double up, ladies!

Hospice West Auckland

Henderson, Glen Eden, New Lynn, Te Atatu, Hobsonville, Helensville No, they aren’t just full of leopard print and Holden caps. These tend to be beautifully curated, with volunteers taking extreme pride

in store presentation. There are plenty of treasures to find here. And maybe some of the aforementioned, if that’s what you’re after.

Study the book section like it’s giving money away

Tips

Because it is! Seriously, if you plan to die under an avalanche of paperbacks like I do, the book section is where you’ll save some real bank. With new releases starting at around $30, op shop prices (a couple bucks a book) are money in your pocket. You’ll have to pour through heaps of dud biographies, but you’ll eventually come across that thing you’ve been meaning to read for ages.

Look for the designer rack… but not exclusively Most op shops will have a designer section. (Even if some places have dubious standards for what makes the grade. Me thinks ASOS counts not.) It’s a good place to start, but don’t restrict yourself to it. The rest of the place is filled with goodies too, and probably at a lower price-point. Also, if you are set on scoring brand names, remember op shops are huge and largely system-less. You’ll probably find designer labels in the normie section too.

Don’t buy a name for the name Of all the fancy names I come across on the hunt, Trelise Cooper is one that pops up regularly. It’s also the label that seems to suit me the least. And yet, a Cooper blouse for under $25? Even if it makes me look like a bloated oil puddle? Hard to turn away. My trick is to imagine I came across the exact same item, but the label reads The Warehouse. If, in that scenario, I wouldn’t even look at it twice… back on the rack it goes.

Donate to op shops In due course, if you op as often as I do, you’ll be inundated with clothing and books (and vases and china and jewellery and records). Remember to donate back what you can, but don’t give away utter crap. You wouldn’t buy sweat stained jeggings with a hole in the crotch… and no one else wants to either. (This includes donations to clothing bins or charity drives. Everyone deserves dignity, and less fortunate people don’t want your rubbish.) The best part of op shopping is finding something beautiful and pristine – something the owner could have sold but chose to donate instead. Keep the cycle going. Donate something awesome, make someone’s day. And happy opping!

Why am I paying so much to rent a mouldy flat? By Vanessa Arapko and Mackenzie Valgre, with help from Aaliyah Zionov It is because a landlord is essentially a business owner. And business, quite frankly, is fucked. Most major cities in the world are currently facing a housing crisis. This is because the lack of affordable, quality homes is fundamentally a crisis of capitalism, an economic process in which a minority of private owners control what is produced by the many.

Whose crisis? For capitalism, however, there is no crisis. Our economy is designed for the wealthy to profit off misery. Landlords, for example, are only concerned with charging the highest rent possible. As property owners, they leverage their power over the majority of people who are excluded from this property, i.e. who don’t own a house or land. The humanity of their tenants goes out the window. It doesn’t matter if we’re students who desperately need a flat that doesn't take a 40-minute train ride followed by a 15-minute wait for a bus that should have been there 10 minutes ago, topped off with a 20-minute trip in an overcrowded bus that finally showed up, to finally get to the city. It doesn’t matter if we’re a big family struggling to find a house that is warm and dry so that our children are not one of 30,000 hospitalised each year with housing-related illnesses, as found in 2017 NZ Herald data. Or worse, the 20 children that die, according to NZ Herald reports. In the eyes of landlords, we are simply consumers who need a house and must pay for it. Capitalism doesn’t care that our health and livelihood are at stake, or that we don’t have any other choice. In fact, capitalism demands these conditions.

Speculation and the ‘bubble’ While there is low availability of housing, the current situation cannot be explained by the laws of supply and demand when the 2013 census revealed there were 141,366 empty homes. The International Monetary Fund estimates that the price of housing in Aotearoa has been inflated up to 40 percent higher due to speculation. This is where a purchase is made in the hope that the item will more valuable in the future. Moreover, low interest rates have encouraged and continue to encourage significant borrowing of money from banks. These loans require investment to generate profit. Since everyone needs a place to live in, property is deemed a ‘safe’ investment, guaranteed to return a surplus. As a result, the money borrowed is poured into the housing market. This is not an investment into houses, a place that we inhabit and call home, but rather into housing and land as ‘financial instruments’. Last year, CoreLogic, a data analytics company, reported that local speculators made a daily profit of $1,848 simply through buying houses and immediately selling them off. This creates a feedback loop, often referred to as a ‘bubble,’ where houses seem to be ever-increasing in value as speculators are convinced prices will rise forever. Again, for the wealthy, this is no crisis: housing is a source of endless returns. Part of the problem is that the state is fundamentally aligned with the interests of landlords and investors. Legislation facilitates speculation in the housing market. Further, both the

Labour and the National parties attempt to fix the capitalist crisis with more capitalism. The National Government freed up public land for private housing developments, arguing that it would increase affordability by increasing supply. However, this approach ignored the profit-motive that underpins the private market.

Capitalism doesn’t care that our health and livelihood are at stake, or that we don’t have any other choice. In fact, capitalism demands these conditions. Public-private developments The Auckland Housing Accord is an agreement between Auckland Council and the government that was signed in October 2013. It includes Special Housing Areas where construction could be fast-tracked. However, in order to make this construction a profitable investment for developers, these projects are located on low-income areas where state houses are removed or demolished to be replaced by ‘affordable’

private homes. Yet developers will only build if they are able to make a return on their investment through selling housing at a far greater price. The Housing Accord was, in the words of a senior Auckland councillor, a “dismal failure”. While the supply of housing increased since it was signed, this was accompanied by a 50 percent increase in the median Auckland house price. In the process, state house tenants are evicted from homes that were promised to them for life by previous governments to make way for housing redevelopments they cannot afford. The state never intended to alleviate the crisis for the poor. Instead, they did the complete opposite by lining the pockets of investors and worsening the crisis. The Labour Party’s KiwiBuild project to build state-funded market housing follows the same broken logic. The recent plan to build 4,000 homes in Mount Albert includes handing over 40 percent of these homes to the private market. These houses will then be subject to the same mechanisms of profit, dictated rents and speculation which perpetually drive housing crises. KiwiBuild houses will also only be sold to first home-buyers. Labour’s appeal to the middle-class dream of a white picket fence reinforces the problematic idea that a piece of the earth can be yours, and yours alone.

Goodbye, private property Home ownership is at the heart of the housing crisis. It is

private property that allows a minority of people to profit through excluding everyone else. If the government was truly on our side, we would see a mass build of dry, safe and universally accessible state housing as an alternative to the private market. These houses would be homes for life and truly affordable for everyone as profit is taken out of the equation. Imagine not having to compete for a tiny apartment with rats living in the walls and black mould on your bedroom ceiling that hasn't been touched for years? If state housing was built as an attractive alternative, then landlords would lose monopoly power and the ability to dictate the cost of rent. Alongside promoting affordability, the demand for universal access to state housing also challenges the logic of capitalism, which claims that we are unworthy of a basic necessity. While universal access to state housing is the immediate demand, the housing battle must be situated in a broader war against capitalism. It is neither capitalism nor the capitalist state that will save us; it is the workers, the unemployed, the poor and the oppressed. To truly fix this mess requires conquering the economic system which creates crises and distributes necessities for profit, not according to need. It is to also reject the political system complicit in this process. In doing so, we must reclaim housing for ourselves. So, why are you paying so much for a mouldy flat? It’s because of capitalist economics. And while housing crises are inevitable, the good news is that capitalism is not.

Emerald and sapphire:

Exploring Auckland’s best nature getaways By Helen Shelvey | Photo by Liam Simpson It is a universally acknowledged truth that New Zealanders love the great outdoors. We are lucky enough to live in a city that is more emerald and sapphire than grey and concrete, so I have compiled a list of beautiful areas to help you get out and about. And don’t worry – while most of the Waitākere Ranges and part of the Hunua Ranges are currently closed to the public to protect our Kauri trees, there are still plenty of options out there. Happy exploring! Te Henga Walkway – 45mins from Auckland CBD This track is part of the Hilary Trail and stretches along the coastline between Bethells Beach and Muriwai. Experience the wild West Coast with its black sand beaches and stunning clifftop views before passing through lush farmland. The full hike takes about 3.5 hours and is not a loop, so best to arrange transport at the other end or leave enough time to double back. Check the weather before heading out as it can get rather wet and windy on the cliffs. Shakespear Regional Park – 60mins from Auckland CBD Situated on the narrow Whangaparaoa Peninsula with great views of Tiritiri Matangi Island in the Hauraki Gulf, Shakespear is a popular escape from city life. Soak up the sun on one of the beaches, get out on the water or head for the cliffs for plenty of walking tracks. The park is an open wildlife sanctuary so bird watching is definitely worthwhile even if you can’t tell your kereru from your kākā! Camping is also available at Te Haruhi Bay, though it is best to book in advance as the site does get busy, especially in peak season.

Wenderholm Regional Park – 50mins from Auckland CBD The park sits on both the Waiwera and Puhoi rivers, giving excellent views out of the estuary into the Hauraki Gulf. You could kayak between Wenderholm and Puhoi to sample their famous cheese and explore the quaint township. Short bush walks weave through the park while Victorian Couldrey House is open to those seeking a bit of history. Duder Regional Park – 55mins from Auckland CBD Think rolling hills, panoramic views of the Hauraki Gulf and scenes of pastoral tranquillity, and you get a pretty good idea of Duder. Oh, and sheep. Lots of sheep. A two-hour track takes you through farmland, down onto the beach and up to a lookout point before heading back through the fields – and the sheep – back to the car park. Alternatively you could just take the farm or the coastal tracks for a shorter walk without compromising on the views. Hunua Ranges – 60mins from Auckland CBD The Hunua Ranges cover a vast area of forest, and as such many tracks have been closed in order to prevent the spread of Kauri Dieback Disease. However, there are still areas of the park to be enjoyed, and the 30-metre Hunua Falls are still easily accessible and just a few minutes from the main car park, making a great spot for a paddle or a picnic. Alternatively, the Massey Cossey track and adjoining tracks form a three hours loop walk from the same car park for those wanting to stretch their legs.

Tapapakanga Regional Park – 70mins from Auckland CBD Although further out, this coastal farm park and campground makes for a great day trip or weekend escape. Popular with kayakers, walkers and families alike, it is wise to book a camping spot well in advance especially during peak season. Walking tracks meander through the bush and along the coastline, taking in scenic views and a historic Māori pā (hill fort). Mountain biking and fishing are also permitted in the area. Whatipu – 70mins from Auckland CBD Although technically at the edge of the Waitākere Ranges, thankfully the 45-minute Whatipu Cave track is still open. Being a bit further out, Whatipu Beach is one of the quieter West Coast beaches giving visitors plenty of space and time to explore at their leisure. The caves themselves are the main drawcard, hugging the base of the cliffs between the car park, campground and beach itself. Some of the bigger caves have been used historically as shelters and even a dance hall! Be sure to take a torch. Lake Wainamu – 45mins from Auckland CBD Located near Bethells Beach on the West Coast, the Lake Wainamu track offers an hour and a half-long picturesque loop walk from the car park. To get to the lake there is the option of a hike across the sand dunes or following the stream which passes a small waterfall. In summer, this is the perfect spot for paddling in the stream, swimming in the lake, or sand boarding. And while you’re there, you may as well head up to Bethells black sand beach for a bit of West Coast wilderness.

I Go Clubbing for Seven Days Straight Marisa Aoys goes clubbing in Auckland for a solid week to find out where’s good on what night, and tries not to die of a prolonged hangover in the process. Illustration by Hope McConnell. Our little old country has a lot of sheep, and I’m not talking about the farm animal. Navigating Auckland’s clubbing scene is more about where your friends want their professional Instagram photo taken rather than a place with good music, drinks and an overall vibe. Once you found your go-to spot it’s hard to change it up. “What if it’s empty? What if nobody goes there?”. But how do you know you hate something if you haven’t tried it? If you’ve made it this far into the article you must be curious as to what clubs are out there. Or you want to know what happens when you go clubbing for seven days straight. Either way, you’ll see my journalism degree has finally come to use as I hit up some of Auckland’s finest establishments and reviewed them based on some strict criteria. Why seven days in a row you ask? Because I’m an adult and I can make my own choices, even if they’re terrible ones.

Monday Honestly, I had low expectations. Why? Judging on how hard it was to get a group of sane people to come out on a MONDAY with me, I expected a score of zeros across the board. Oh boy, was I wrong. We hit up Danny Doolans, an Irish pub on Quay Street, mostly because it was the only place open after midnight, and as soon as we walked in we knew we were in for a treat. The juxtaposition of smartly dressed office workers looking to de-stress and backpackers in socks and sandals ordering Jägerbombs filled the venue, while a live band played oldschool bangers. My honest opinion: I felt like all the dads in a 100-mile radius came together for an epic Christmas party and did shots every time the band sung ‘Sweet Caroline’. For someone that exclusively listens to music with the lyrics ‘skreet skreet’, I can assure you the vibe of a live band (which plays every night FYI) and a gathering of enthusiastically drunk middle-aged folk will be an experience you cannot miss out on. Vibe: If your uncle won the lotto and threw the whole neighbourhood a party. Drink Specials: Find yourself a cute backpacker with zero English skills and gesture for a free drink. Otherwise normal pub prices. Free Entry?: Yes Overall Score: 9/10

Tuesday The week kicked off with a bang and also an unexpected hangover, which left us wondering what Tuesday would bring to the table. An extensive search on Google left us with not a whole lot of options and we decided to take to the streets, praying to the Vodka gods that something would be open and pumping. As we strolled up Queen Street, we saw a glimmer of hope in the form of a line outside Cassette Nine on Vulcan Lane. A line? On a Tuesday? We had to check this out. Once up the ominous stairs we looked at each other in disbelief. Can it be true? The Vodka gods have not only given us a place that’s open, but also a venue that’s packed to the brim with a horde of party-goers fist bumping to bangers from the 2000s. As the flashing lights slowly destroyed my retina and the sounds of Britney Spears serenaded my eardrums, I turned to my friends and shout, “Opps! I did it again”. And again I did, in the form of a mean hangover. Vibe: “The club goin’ up, on a Tuesday.” Drink Specials: Cheaper drinks before midnight or opt for the famous teapot to ‘class’ up your drinking experience. Free Entry?: Yes Overall Score: 10/10

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

My original plan of starting the week off easy quickly burst into flames and I realised there was no slowing down now as student night was upon us. A tradition spanning back to the dark ages, student night has allowed broke scholars to indulge in a night of fun, without breaking the bank.

As Thursday creeped along I began to realise how terrible an idea this really was. It also became apparent that my poor planning had left me with a vacant spot, as I had already reviewed the club that has gigs on Thursdays (check out Cassette Nine’s Hunky- Dory). Desperate for a good night, I looked beyond the borders of the CBD and stumbled upon a hidden gem in the heart of Auckland’s North Shore. The Ferguson at

Cheers to the freakin’ weekend! The surge of TGIF awaked my bones and breathed new life into my zombie-like state. Knowing that all of Auckland is ready and waiting for my arrival, I set off to explore the streets of the city.

Massey University takes the cake for student bars (sorry AUT, you need to step up your game).

easy but in heels, girl let me tell you), but trust me, it’s worth it. The dancefloor is conveniently close to the bar and the resident DJs bust out a mix of everything, ranging from trap, house and throwback hits. More stairs (ugh) will bring you to the large open-air area and if you can cop the smoking zone, it provides a less crowded version of downstairs, complete with its own bar! As a well-seasoned nightlife connoisseur, I can assure you a great night lies in the palms of The Roxy.

On the agenda, Bar 101. The notorious club has become a rite of passage for students and a haven of uni life debauchery to occur. A double-storey venue pumps out a mixture of throwbacks and top-100 charts that will ensure a great time to be had. The only catch: if you’re over the age of 20 you might feel like a senior citizen trying to fit in with the ‘cool kids’. Vibe: If she thinks Ice Cube is just an actor she’s too young for you bro. Drink Specials: $4 drinks downstairs and $10 jugs, yes please. Free Entry?: Yes Overall Score: 6/10

Blaring strobe lights coupled a house music set transported me to a different dimension. However, if dancing isn’t your thing, Ferg boasts a large enough venue for beer jugs and pool tables to provide a different type of atmosphere. Vibe: Infiltrate the naughty North Shore and see what mummy and daddies’ money can really buy. Drink Special: Uni bar = student prices! Free Entry?: Yes Overall Score: 6/10

Cartel at The Roxy on Fort Lane did not disappoint. Only the strong can survive the climb (two flights of stairs may seem

Vibes: Drinking vodka sodas on the Stairmaster to lose optimal calories. Drink Special: Cheaper until midnight. Free Entry?: Yes Overall Score: 8/10

Saturday I’m not going to lie, at this point I looked and felt like Lindsay Lohan around 2007, but I had to keep going for the sake of journalism. Kong was on the agenda, conveniently located right next to Britomart Maccas, which is a blessing and a curse, depending on your bank account. Kong was by far the underdog of the line-up, as some rumours and stereotyping branded it as a dodgy place. However, after this night I can guarantee you it’s one of Auckland’s top spots! Once you get past the extensive security you can see how nice

Sunday We did it. I did it. Sunday, rest day, and God’s given day for a Sunday Sesh. In all honesty, the thought of staying in bed and pretending I went out while watching RuPaul’s Drag Race did cross my mind. However, I am a woman of my word and so, we ventured out into the darkness for our final hoorah. The Chapel Bar & Bistro in Ponsonby hosts the liveliest of Sunday Sessions, with a resident and radio DJs busting out a range of bangers ‘til late. The mix of a nightclub and a pub atmosphere provides the perfect night out to make you forget

the actual venue is, spacious with a huge dancefloor and VIP area. The purple lights reflect off the clear fixtures to provide a luxurious atmosphere and the set-up of the club itself has private booths and even a small stage (complete with a pole if that’s your vibe) to dance on. Kong works closely with Mai FM so you know the music will be lit, and they even host the official after parties of famous hip-hop and R&B artists. The sick beats lifted my soul from the depths of its hangover and revived me to the tune of Beyoncé.

about Monday-itis.

Vibes: DJ Khaled shouting ‘another one’ every time you drink a shot ‘til you die. Drink Special: Standard (Wednesday has specials for student night). Free Entry?: No Overall Score: 9/10

I learnt a couple things from this research. Firstly, think about the consequences before you pitch a stupid idea to your editor. Secondly (and more importantly), Auckland has a huge nightlife scene that is yet to be explored! Get out of your comfort zone and try somewhere new: you might be surprised by what you find.

Vibe: The Last Supper except everyone drinks espresso martinis. Drink Special: Keep an eye on the Facebook page for updated deals. Free Entry?: Yes Overall Score: 7/10

feature

autsa re-o week

Check out our website (autsa.org.nz) or fb page (facebook.com/AUTStudentAssociation) for more info!

city campus monday 16 july

chill zone

tuesday 17 july

chill zone

wednesday 18 july

chill zone

thursday 19 july

chill zone

WG129, 10am-1pm

• Music & bean bags

gamers' zone

• Geek House • Fortnite package

WG128, 10am-1pm

create zone

WG128, 10am-1pm

create zone

WG128, 10am-1pm

create zone

WG129, 10am-1pm • Music & bean bags

friday 20 july

chill zone

WG129, 10am-1pm • Music & bean bags

WG128, 10am-1pm

create zone

WA Lvl3, 10am-1pm

• Cardboard Creations

sport zone

10:30am-12:30pm • AUT Sport Free throw comp

12-1pm • AUTSA Campus Kai

Hikuwai Plaza

12-1pm • AUTSA Campus Kai • music

Hikuwai Plaza

2-4pm • AUT Sport Table Tennis competition

2:30pm-2pm • AUT Sport 3v3 Basketball comp

pop-up events

• Welcome Carnival

• Haka + Dance Off AUTSSA vs TKT

• Campus Kai • Zumba • Teachers’ Expo

• Campus Kai • Music • Prizewheel • Photobooth • Horizon Flashmob

Bar101 Hookup

Open Mic Night

Hikuwai Plaza 12-1pm

WA305 2:30pm - 3:30pm • Te Punga Oranga Pop Up Yoga

Back to School Party Vesbar 6pm

Hikuwai Plaza 12-1pm

• Swap n’ Shop

Beats by Bingo Vesbar 6pm

Hikuwai Plaza 12-1pm

Vesbar 6pm

Hikuwai Plaza 12-1pm

Vesbar 6pm

Hikuwai Sounds

Hikuwai Plaza, 7:30pm Buy tickets from eventfinda.co.nz

north campus monday 16 july

gamers' zone AS Level 1, 10am-4pm

• Foozeball Table + Arcade machines

tuesday 17 july

wednesday 18 july

gamers’ zone

AS Level 1, 10am-4pm • Arcade machines + Foozeball

AF Level 1, 10am - 1pm • Geek House • Retro/Modern Consoles Package

chill zone

AS Level 1, 10am-1pm

• Music & bean bags

sport zone

Awataha Plaza, 12pm-1pm

AS Level 1, 10am-4pm

• Foozeball Table + Arcade machines

pop-up events

AC210, 2:30pm-3:30pm

• Te Puna Oranga Pop Up Yoga

beats by bingo Backyard Bar 6pm

thursday 19 july

gamers’ zone AS Level 1, 10am-4pm • Arcade machines

AF Level 1, 10am - 1pm • Geek House • Retro/Modern Consoles

chill zone

AS Level 1, 10am-1pm • Music & bean bags

sport zone

Awataha Plaza, 10:30-12:30pm • AUT Sport - Free throw comp

• AUTSA Campus Kai • Prizewheel

12-1pm • Campus Kai + music

pop-up events

10:30-12:30pm AUT Sport 3v3 Basketball

• Prizewheel • Photobooth • Teachers’ Expo

Awataha Plaza, 12-2pm

Awataha Plaza, 12-1pm

pop-up events

• Swap n’ Shop (clothes swap)

south campus monday 16 july

tuesday 17 july

gamers' zone

gamers’ zone

gamers' zone

gamers’ zone

• Arcade machines • Geek House • Retro/Modern Consoles Package

• Arcade machines

• Arcade machines • Geek House • Retro/Modern Consoles Package

• Arcade machines

ME109, AUTSA Office 10am-1pm

chill zone

ME109 AUTSA Office 10am-1pm

• Music & bean bags

ME109, AUTSA Office 10am-3:30pm

campus life pop-up events

MH Foyer, 11:30am - 1:30pm

• Giant Games • Spot Prizes

wednesday 18 july

ME109, AUTSA Office 10am-1pm

chill zone

ME109 AUTSA Office 10am-1pm

• Music & bean bags

thursday 19 july

ME109, AUTSA Office 10am-3:30pm

sport zone

AUTSA Sports Courts. 10am-2pm

• AUT Sport - Volleyball

campus life pop-up events

sport zone

MH Foyer, 11:30am - 1:30pm

AUTSA Sports Courts 10am-2pm

• Giant Games • Spot Prizes

12pm-1pm

• AUT Sport - Volleyball

• Campus Kai

12-1pm • Campus Kai

ME109 Balcony, 12-1pm Campus Life Kai

pop-up events ME109 Balcony

ME109 Balcony, 12-1pm Campus Life Kai

pop-up events MH Foyer, 12-2pm

• Prize Wheel • Photobooth

student night WTF Bar 6pm

pop-up events MH Foyer, 12-1pm

• Teachers’ Expo ME109 AUTSA Office 3:30pm-4:30pm Te Puna Oranga Pop Up Yoga

giveaways

Treat Yo'self To win any of the prizes below, head over to Debate’s Facebook page (/autsadebate) and fill out the competition survey pinned to the top of our timeline called ‘GIVEAWAYS – ISSUE 7’ using the key word ‘LOVINAUCKLAND’. Make sure you like our page to be in to win!

15 Starbucks bevvys on us Hoping to fulfil your J.K Rowling dreams of writing a novel in a warm, cosy, living-room-esque Starbucks café? Or are you in need of a delicious choco/caramel/frappe/latte whipped cream delight? Then you’re in luck, Potter! We’re sussing 15 readers out with a free Starbucks drink coupon, which is good for any beverage your heart desires. And with one Starbucks café located practically inside the AUT City Campus (on Symonds Street) it’ll be super convenient to grab that coffee before a lecture. Ah good coffee, one of the best parts of living in Auckland! To win, read the instructions at the top of the page.

Free burgers!

Ultimate Auckland date night

Did you know BurgerFuel was started in Auckland? The first store opened in Ponsonby in 1995 and it has been serving late night Longroom-goers ever since. So, as Aucklanders, we can be proud of something: we come from the city where BurgerFuel is from – yayur! To celebrate our Auckland pride, this issue Debate is giving away eight ‘Any burger on us’ vouchers, which you can redeem at your local BurgerFuel Queen Street. To win a voucher, read the instructions at the top of the page.

Why be original when the classic dinner-and-a-movie combo has been a successful date arrangement in Auckland for nearly a century? And with this solid prize pack from StudentCard, you won’t even have to pay. In this pack you will win two Mexican Café vouchers ($10 each), a double pass to nearly any cinema playing the movie Skyscraper, and two StudentCards, in case you want to repeat this date and get mad discounts the next time (not as mad as it being free, but still good). To win the lot, read the instructions at the top of the page.

Makeover Kit Feeling in need of a makeover? Is your tagline for Semester 2 #newsemesternewme? If yes, you’re in luck! Wet n Wild is hooking one Debate reader up with a full-on makeover set. Valued at $80, this kit comes with three eyeshadow sets, three lip glosses, two blush choices, one lip scrub, one brush and one primer spray. Get amongst! To win, read the instructions at the top of the page.

Lush Yourself

Warm your Willy

Imagine sitting in a hot bath in the middle of a lush green forest. Flowers are growing around the porcelain tub, and when you close your eyes, you can smell their sweet nectar in the fresh, moist air. That’s likely how you will feel if you win this kit, which contains seven divine-smelling bath bombs and four luscious lip scrubs. For a moment, you may just forget you’re in Auckland. To win, read the instructions at the top of the page.

The gorgeous company George and Willy know how cold it is outside, and, for us uni students, inside our ice-box flats as well. That’s why they’ve given us two pairs of merino wool socks to pass on to one lucky reader. They’re both size medium and perfect for snuggling in. To win both pairs, read the instructions at the top of the page.

feature

A conversation about homelessness in Auckland With homelessness on the rise and government finally investing resources into combatting the problem, it’s time we too started talking about it. Laura Brookes delves into public perception, the issue and what you can do to help.

Homelessness. The ever-growing problem that has become a fixture of inner city Auckland in recent years, along with rising rates in many other regions throughout our country. At the best of times, homelessness is difficult to combat. At the worst of times, the simple act of starting a conversation about homelessness can prove just as difficult. But we need to talk about it, and when we do, focus on what is within our power to change. Too often we find ourselves fixated on the causes and magnitude of the problem at hand. And I could talk about the problem all day. It’s important we don’t neglect to reflect on where we’ve been and what’s led up to this point – but it’s also important we look to solutions, and what we can do, because actions always, always trump words. Speaking of words, there’s just one thing I’d like to address…

The danger of our own perceptions When you read the first word of this article – homelessness – what came to mind?

Be honest, and you might be surprised at your own answer. I’m just being real here, because if we’re talking assumptions, I’ll be the first to put my hand up and plead guilty as charged. We find it so easy to put people in boxes. There’s us, and there’s them. It no longer takes me by surprise how quick we are to judge the circumstances, character and nature of somebody we have never even met. How we automatically assume that people are the sum total of what we can see and understand about their lives. We are so limited at the level of our own understanding, and yet, we grant ourselves daily a renewed right to do it all again. I’ve heard the comments people make when they talk about homelessness. Call it the power of public perception. The power of a rhetoric, a message, an idea to become the dominant way of thinking – as if you and I could guarantee with any shred of confidence that we will never find ourselves in that situation. The reality is any of us could end up homeless one day. And I’m not saying this to scare you. I’m saying it so we

might remember homelessness is a circumstance, not an identity, and that this group of people are not the “other” – they are us. We are them. And if we’re going to be acting like the world changers we’ve been built up to be, we’d better begin right here at home – with our perceptions, our barriers, and our beliefs. “They’re addicted to drugs and alcohol. It’s their own fault.” “It’s their choice. If they wanted a change in circumstances, they could do that.” “They’re just not trying hard enough.” Sentiments like these are what Lifewise chief executive Moira Lawler hears all too often. She says we’ve got to learn to dig deeper than what we see at a surface level. “A common misconception about homelessness is that it is a choice. And, admittedly, if you go up to someone who has been sleeping rough for a while they will say it is their choice. But if you try and understand the reasons behind that choice, you’ll start to see a clearer picture.

Moira Lawler, Lifewise CEO, with Honotana, team member of the Merge Community.

“A young person may have chosen to leave an unsafe home environment, or someone else may have chosen to escape an abusive relationship, perhaps someone has chosen not to engage with any homelessness services because they, too, like many of us, feel too proud to do so. So to equate homelessness with just a matter of choice is too simplistic.”

In a nutshell Statistics New Zealand defines homelessness as “living situations where people with no other options to acquire safe and secure housing: are without shelter, in temporary accommodation, sharing accommodation with a household or living in uninhabitable housing”. Today, approximately 40,000 New Zealanders fit that definition, according to a Yale University study. Some have been homeless for decades. That time in anybody’s life can be a constant battle for survival, says Lawler.

on Monday 17 September, including a survey, tally and 750 volunteers. • Labour announced an investment of $100 million from its May budget to combat homelessness – $37 million toward provision of immediate, short-term housing, and $63 million to provide permanent housing for those experiencing chronic homelessness. • Auckland City Mission will soon be the recipients of extra space being added to their HomeGround development, to assist the outreach’s detoxification service for those struggling with drug and alcohol abuse.

Everyone’s got a story Allow me to introduce you to a wonderful woman by the name of Kat’z.

And while we know it’s a problem that won’t disappear anytime soon, there is some change happening at government and regional levels, and that’s good news.

For Kat’z, home wasn’t a safe place to be, so at a young age she took a chance and bravely left. With nowhere to go and little support, it wasn’t until Kat’z found Lifewise that she felt supported, empowered and part of a community dedicated to providing a way out. It was a safe space.

• Auckland’s first regionwide census count of the homeless population will take place

“I ran away from home because the streets felt safer,” she says. “But life on the streets

is also hard – finding a dry place to sleep, a comfortable place to sleep where you did not get looked at; and not knowing where your next feed is. “Lifewise walked alongside me to get off the streets. Not having my own space, knowing what the streets are like, knowing all the predators out there, knowing it’s hard being a woman… I didn’t wanna be a victim anymore. “With Lifewise, I was able to build my path to my own recovery, maintain my behaviour, my addictions, and my attitude. I learned how to work with different people – we all may be streeties, we might fit the same criteria, but none of us are the same. So I learned how to use the differences and turn them into strengths… I work with the homeless, my people, my family, because I know the hurt, the mamae [pain].” Today, Kat’z is a dedicated member of Merge Community Peer Support Team. Once trapped by her circumstances, Kat’z now confidently gets alongside dozens of Aucklanders every week, providing peer-topeer drop-in support at Merge Café. She’s providing hope, strength and dignity as she helps people in the homeless community to build capacity and rise above.

Manu, Café manager.

To merge or to dine? Both. The answer is always both. At Merge Café, the goal – you guessed it – is to merge. To bring people together from all walks of life to dine, share conversation, connect and ultimately break down the stigma that keeps some of the community’s most marginalised in a position of disempowerment and hopelessness. It’s the place to go to eat well, feel good and do good, all at the same time. This unique cafe based at 453 Karangahape Road was once known as the Airedale Community Centre – a soup kitchen where over 40,000 meals a year had been served to Auckland’s homeless community since 1885.

easy. What’s better, every dollar spent at Merge Café goes towards support for people experiencing homelessness. For students, it’s got a lot to offer. Need internet to study? Connect to the free Wi-Fi. Looking for a job or somewhere to stay? Find and post on their community noticeboard. Keen to check out a new book or magazine? Merge has a whole variety in store, and you can even join the Merge Café Book Club! Bruce Stone, chief executive of the Airedale Property Trust, which partners with Lifewise, says the attempt to normalise people’s lives through the café initiative is a healthier approach to combatting homelessness than the previous, old-style charity model.

But over time, Lifewise re-evaluated its approach amidst a growing body of evidence supporting the notion the soup kitchen was maintaining rather than combatting the issue of homelessness, and changed the soup kitchen into Merge Café in late 2010.

“You’ve got to ask – what is Merge Café achieving? Is it helping the people that are there? That doesn’t necessarily need to be homeless people. You will see older people there getting coffee who wouldn’t normally at the other places [coffee shops] or the soup kitchen. You see suits in there that are rubbing shoulders with each other and with marginalised people.

Nowadays, the thriving café provides around 20,000 low-cost meals a year, in an environment free of stigma or judgement where access to Lifewise’s services is made

“That’s where I think the big challenge is. There’s more respect, and it’s more in line with reality. It’s not hiding homelessness, and it’s not advertising homelessness; it’s

just treating people with respect.” There are some moments in life you never forget. They’re the ones that break your heart, challenge your thinking and spur you on toward action – all at once. I had one of those moments in November last year, as I was told about an Auckland mother who worked three jobs, was responsible for six kids (some of which weren’t her own), and in an article about her state of homelessness, was described as ‘not doing enough’. Sometimes our perceptions of people are so far from the truth it’s hard to fathom how we even got to that point. If you reading this achieves anything, I hope it challenges you on the perceptions you hold. I hope it encourages you to take action, knowing that however small your move might be, there’s an opportunity on the other side of your decision that could change somebody’s life. This isn’t the end of a conversation. This is the beginning of a conversation, and one I hope you’ll be brave enough to continue with your mates, family, and the people you do life with. Let’s talk.

Five bubble tea places five minutes away from uni

By Rachel Roberts Bubble tea, boba tea, tapioca tea. Call it what you will, but Auckland is teeming with shops selling it. And from the number of them in the immediate radius of AUT’s City Campus, I’m going to take a wild guess and say it’s popular with the uni crowd. For those who have never tried it, bubble tea is a Taiwanese teabased drink with soft tapioca pearls, usually mixed with milk or flavourings, and I froth over it. So for all you bubble tea fiends or first-timers out there, here’s the lowdown on the five best places in a five minute walk from uni.

HuluCat

239A Queen Street // 16 Wellesley St. West As far as menus go, HuluCat has a fair selection of flavours of both milk and fruit teas, with both hot and cold options. Service here was so fast I didn’t even have time to whip my phone out to start writing before my order was served! The pearl texture was chewier than others I’ve tried, and the bubbles had a much harder centre. And out of all the places reviewed, this was the most expensive drink I bought (a large tea with pearls set me back $8). Cost: $$$ Stars: 3/5 I recommend: Caramel milk tea

Chatime

11/350 Queen Street (by ‘BBQ Duck Café’) Chatime’s menu choice is phenomenal! They had the widest range of milk teas, plus a couple of fruit teas not available at other stores. Fast service here too, although in peak-hour it can take you up to 10 minutes or more to get a drink. The place has standard prices and a pick-and-choose percentage ordering system. The pearl texture is softer and squishier than others and less chewy. Honestly, I’m prepared to leave my bad service grudge from three years ago in the past. Cost: $$ Stars: 5/5 I recommend: Hawaiian fruit tea

Gong Cha 7/38 Lorne Street

A sad, sad selection of fruit teas here, as well as me having to leave without buying something the first time around because I was going to miss my bus from waiting so long (and it wasn’t even peak hour). This place has the OG pick-andchoose percentage ordering system, but you have to make

sure you answer ALL the questions to do with ordering. The pearl texture is on the chewier side but without being firm in the centre. Redeemed by having the cheapest prices out of the five. Cost: $-$$ Stars: 3/5 I recommend: Wintermelon drink

Magic Cup

17/D Wakefield Street Magic Cup is the closest to AUT of the lot – if you stand between WG and WF on the City Campus, you can actually see it. It also has an interesting variety of milk teas that I didn’t see at any of the other stores (cinnamon milk tea?!). There’s no percentage-based ordering system here, and despite it being a small joint, the service speed was pretty exceptional. There was almost zero choice of fruit teas though, and it’s at the higher end of prices for standard items. Pearl texture was the firmest out of the five – real chewy. Cost: $$-$$$ Stars: 3/5 I recommend: Cinnamon milk tea

V&V Bubble Tea

2/368 Queen Street (on the corner by Nando’s) Oh boy does V&V have some funky signature drinks! No percentage ordering here, and all drinks are served with standard ice and sugar unless you ask otherwise (but they’re very friendly about it). Also, all the drinks are served in recyclable cups with cute faces on them. The drink prices can vary here depending on what size and topping you buy, but it’s not outrageous. Pearl texture is softer with a chewy but not hard centre, and you can get popping boba here! Cost: $$ Stars: 4.5/5 I recommend: The twilight sweet pea special

Auckland Student Dos and Don'ts By Gabbie Tutheridge | Illustration by Hope McConnell I’m from a small town named Cambridge. We wear gumboots in winter and no shoes in summer. So when this bright-eyed, small town girl arrived in the Big Smoke three years ago, I had to learn the ‘dos and don'ts' of Auckland pretty quick. Here’s some knowledge I’ve picked up over the years.

Do: Buy yourself a good umbrella and always keep it handy. You never know when it’ll rain in Auckland and whatever you do; don’t use your laptop to deflect the rain. Believe or not, this happens in Auckland.

Don't: Think you have the right of way just because you are a pedestrian. I will run you over. I’m sorry.

Do: Explore. Auckland is such a diverse and amazing city; there is more than just the Sky Tower to it. Go to the Auckland Art Gallery, it’s just down the bend from the City Campus. Go to the Auckland Museum and go to the numerous beaches and bays. If you are looking to get your ‘Gram feed looking aesthetically pleasing, wander along to the Auckland Domain Wintergardens. Requirements: photoshoot on entry. Bonus point: it's all free!

Don’t: Be a dick on the road, it’s a common occurrence that road rage = crashes. So just take your time and use your honker wisely. Everyone is in a rush, and a broken bumper will break your bank account. If you are anything like me, you are one to get a few dings and scratches magically appear on your car, so always make sure you have some pretty pennies kept aside for your car mishaps.

Do: Budget. I know this word seems frightening to say the least but Auckland is expensive. The best way to budget is the 50-30-20 rule. 50 percent of your income goes toward necessities, bills, rent, transport and food. 30 percent of your income goes to allocated wants, like a pack of beersies, Ubers to get you places after the beersies, and the finale, the Maccas run in the early morning. The 20 percent goes to your financial goals, saving up for that overseas trip or to start paying off your student loan. Bonus point: always ask if there is a student discount, or if you are buying online check out UNiDAYS before you hit spend; this will save you a lot of moolah.

Don’t: Buy a takeaway coffee every single day. If you’re trying to budget this is a huge money muncher. If you cannot part with your IV drip of daily coffee, then scope your closest ‘Coffix’ (there’s one on Symonds street). This hot brew is only $2.50. Score!

Do: Get yourself a job. Even if it’s just taking up casual work from Student Job Search, or using your body as a guinea pig for medical research (you get paid bloody good). It’s good for future employers to see that you have worked as much as you can throughout university. Bonus point: make yourself a LinkedIn profile. This is so worthwhile for future employers to see that you have the initiative to put yourself out there and start to network your way into the world.

Don’t: Use your car to go to places you could have easily got to on public transport. Look, parking is expensive, parking tickets suck, fuel is expensive and traffic is a nightmare. It’s common sense, sorry to be a ‘Debby car downer’.

Do: Ask your waiter for ‘tap water’, or else you will be served tasteless sprite, otherwise known as sparkling water. In saying this, sparkling water is a fantastic hangover cure. This is a trick you will need to keep up your sleeve.

Don’t: Use cash on the bus or train. Get yourself an AT HOP Card and get the student concession loaded onto it; it’ll save you so much on your fare. If you hate public transport more than Donald Trump, find an Onzo and peddle it out. Onzos are the bumblebee looking bikes, which are posted up all over the city. All you need to do is download the Onzo app, and you are underway. Like everything in Auckland, they do cost a few bucks to use, but it’s a cheap and fast way to get around.

Do: Walk up Mt Eden Reserve and take an Insta story, or how else will everyone know that you conquered Auckland’s cheap Sky Tower? After this, you definitely deserve something sweet and you will be happy to know you can treat yo’self to a ‘Walt’s Real Fruit Icecream’, located smack bang up the middle of the mountain. This real fruit goodness is for everyone, with vegan options available, you really can’t go wrong.

Don’t: Eat everything you see down Queen Street. If you are fresh into University, you will get caught in this trap, because there are so many treats down the infamous Queen. Trust me, you will gain 5kgs, the ‘fresher five’ is real.

Do: Pre-drink. You don’t want to be paying a hefty $10 for a single Smirnoff Ice in a bar, just for it to be tipped over you. If preloading isn’t your game, look out for your local’s happy hour. Our student bar, Vesbar, has pretty $12 cocktails that will make your heart and head sing.

Don’t: Be close-minded. There are a tonne of cultures in Auckland, so if you come from a small town you may be surprised. Learn about the different cultures and immerse yourself in them. If you want to immerse yourself from a foodie perspective, your taste buds are in luck. Dominion Road is where dreams are made of, with every cuisine imaginable littering the streets. Eden Noodles is renowned for its dumplings, with people lining up all down the side of the street just to get a taste. If you’re impatient like me, try visiting Barilla Dumpling, with two restaurants located on Dominion Rd, you will be sure to get a table.

Do: Go do shit. There’s always something going on in Auckland, so find your way out of your mouldy icebox of a flat and go see theatre, buy tickets to the rugby, go to live music gigs, quiz nights and comedy shows. If you want to laugh until you have rock hard abs, then head along to the must-see improv show, ‘Snort’, shown at the Basement Theatre every Friday night. It’s only $15 for a ticket, and you are assured to come out with a rock hard 6-pack… sign me up.

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Want a paid job at Debate? Interested in reporting on student issues that matter? Want to work for a small team where your ideas will be heard? For more details email: julie.cleaver@aut.ac.nz In the wise words of Shia Labeouf, “Just do it!”

A quick guide to the best study spots in Auckland By Jessica Lace Finding yourself with a four-hour gap between classes can be annoying. It may even make you want to skip to go home and nap because, “It’s just one class”. But here are some spots around AUT’s City Campus that will take those study blues away and freshen up your flow.

The Cloud, 89 Quay Street 16-20-minute walk A hard to miss building sitting on the waterfront, studying at The Cloud will be a breeze. When making your way to the end of The Cloud there are many benches available, but the real goodies are at the end where the relaxed seating will transport you to a beach in Hawaii. Though sometimes there is a blast of the horn of a ferry, this location is very calming and quiet enough that it is easy for light studying to be done.

Aotea Square, 50 Mayoral Drive Five-minute walk A quick walk from AUT, there are many different places to study in Aotea Square, whether it be under a tree or on some steps. There’s Wi-Fi for those who study online and if you decide that sitting on the ground isn’t your niche, there’s a Coffee

Club that faces onto the Square. I hope you’re not afraid of birds because no matter where you are in Aotea Square, there will always be a pigeon nearby.

Freyberg Square, off High Street 10-minute walk Let the statue of Lord Freyberg guide you to success! There are many steps here to choose from, and I’ve heard that the higher the step you are on when you study then the higher your grade will be. The steps offer much room for you to sprawl out with notes as you study, but during lunch time the steps can become crowded with workers on their lunchbreak. This spot is a lot like Aotea Square, although much less grass.

Albert Park 5-10-minute walk, depending on how far you want to sit. A great study spot for the summer, Albert Park offers lots of grass and free Wi-Fi. It is easy to find a secluded space to study if you don’t mind sitting on grass and you can meet friends here and have a study picnic!

AUT or Auckland Library Up to a five-minute walk Sometimes under-rated, yet always the best place to study: a library. Whether you

choose to stay at the on-campus library or walk down Lorne Street to the Auckland Library, both have many places to knuckle down and understand what you have been taught. The con about libraries is that it’s not always easy to find a seat.

The Treehouse, WG Level 4 A couple minutes walk from anywhere on campus This is probably one of the most popular places for students to go between classes. The Treehouse can be found by following the windows past the level 4 entrance of the main lecture theatre. There is a lot of seating here, with booths that have power plugs and a view of the city. The booths are good for when you have a group project, but if you find yourself alone and looking for a seat feel free to ask someone if you can join them in one.

Any of the cafés on all AUT campuses Cafés are great for university students that need a quiet place where you can grab a coffee to help you stay awake for that lastminute essay due at 4pm. And, with the university Wi-Fi at your disposal, you can easily revise lecture slides right after you come out of the theatre.

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FULL BLOWN CLASSIC FINELY TUNED BY HOONS AND LOONS

AIOLI FREE SPUD FRIES WITH

WITH ANY AMERICAN MUSCLE BURGER PURCHASE AT BURGERFUEL QUEEN STREET THIS O-WEEK

Offer available at BurgerFuel Queen Street only. Not available with any other offer. Not valid for online ordering, in-store only. One voucher per person, per day. Expires: 20/08/18

blind

date

Every issue, we bribe singletons with free food and bevvies to go on a blind date, organised by us. The only catch – they have to write about it after. Cheers BurgerFuel Queen Street!

Ella Enchanted

Snoop Dog/Aristotle

It’s 7:10pm and I’m about to resign to the fact that I’m cursed when my date turns up. Nice! Unfortunately, he knows me and remembers me because of how I introduced myself to our class when we were in our first year. Not nice! So far, not off to the greatest of starts.

I was under the influence when I saw the post on Facebook asking people to sign up for free BurgerFuel and thought “MEAN!” Some time went by and I received an email which explained what I had got myself into. I could have left it at that, but I need food and a blind date could be fun. I found out my date’s name and I knew who it would be without even having to Facebook stalk or think hard. When arriving at BurgerFuel I saw my date and, yup, I was correct: I had guessed my blind date correctly. To skip the storytelling, I am going to get to the grit of the message (soon) I am trying to get across. If you’re wanting to know what we talked about, it wasn’t classic first date ‘topics’. Instead we took the piss out of the young teenage couples walking up and down Queen Street.

When he asks me what I hope to get out of a blind date, I reply, rather hopefully, “Meaningful conversation?” His answer to the same question is, “Free BurgerFuel, to be honest. I was really high when I signed up, so I didn't know I had to go on a date. Let's just talk like mates.” And being the kind of person who loves food, I get it. But also being the kind of person who believes (to some very small extent) in the existence of love, I’m kind of crushed. When I drafted up 27 different scenarios of how the date would play out in my head, meeting a guy I already knew who was romantically attracted to BurgerFuel was not one of them.

blind

Getting back to the message I am trying to deliver, a blind date or dating as a whole is intimidating. While observing those young, awkward teenage couples walking past us on the dimly lit and cold Queen Street walk way, I realised a lot about relationships and I guess relationships I have had. Love is a thing of the past. The way my grandparents and parents fell in love and joined together in holy matrimony will not happen to me and probably most people my age. Why is this? Because we live in a world where individualism is potent and rules people’s lives. People use others for their own benefit and disguise it as love. In a world where my peers are crippled by student debt, climate change, rising taxes and puppet politicians, why would love be of importance?

date

He waits until my order arrives before he starts eating, which is actually really cool. Even so, I have never spent a more awkward 40 minutes trapped at a table because of social obligations, particularly when the topics of conversation range across politics, having children, religion and exes. We’ve absolutely nailed all the topics you should never bring up on a first date, which I’ll admit, is pretty funny. He leaves shortly after with a cryptic “I have stuff to do” and I’ll be honest, I’m relieved.

The highlight of the evening? The pint of Ben & Jerry’s I bought for myself on the way down to the train. He’s someone’s guy, but just definitely not mine.

Despite my, uhh, extreme and radical views, the BurgerFuel was mean, we had good chat and I suppose love is in the air for the lucky, pretty and unfortunate people in this world, just not heavy-hearted people such as myself.

To get involved, email us with your name, age and sexual preference: debate@aut.ac.nz 43

recipe

Semester-Starter Energiser Ingredients

Method

• 3/4 cup unsweetened smooth peanut

1) Prepare a 2L-sized rectangular container or lunch box, covering the bottom and sides with baking paper to prevent sticking.

butter • 1/4 cup golden syrup • 1/4 cup soft brown sugar • 1/3 cup coconut oil • 1 1/2 cup whole wheat rolled oats • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds • 1/4 cup shredded coconut • 1/3 cup dried apricot, chopped into

2) Lightly toast whole wheat rolled oats in a pan for approximately 3 minutes, stirring continuously over low heat. No oil is needed. Be careful not to burn them! 3) Remove toasted rolled oats from pan and set aside in a large bowl.

small bits • 1 tablespoon chia seeds

coconut oil, golden syrup, and brown sugar. Heat mixture over mediumlow heat till everything is melted and well incorporated. This will take approximately 3 minutes. 7) Remove pot from heat, and pour over dry ingredients prepared earlier and combine mixture with a spoon or spatula. 8) Spread mixture evenly over prepared lined container. Allow the mixture to cool for at least 5 minutes before refrigerating. It will take approximately 3 hours to set, best to let it set overnight!

4) Toast sunflower seeds in the same pan over low heat for approximately 1 minute.

9) After removing from the refrigerator, slice into desired size and pack them in individual baking paper.

5) In the same bowl with the toasted rolled oats, combine toasted sunflower seeds, chopped dried apricot, shredded coconut, and chia seeds. Set aside. 6) In a small pot, add peanut butter,

Optional: Break up the energy bar into smaller pieces and dress it up with Greek yoghurt, honey, and chia seed for an energy-booster dessert!

Melissa Koh is a third year BA student double majoring in Culinary Arts and English & New Media. Follow her dining and cooking adventures on Instagram: @melicacy.

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