In Unison - worldly issue - 2009 by USU Students' Association at Unitec

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The Worldly Issues Issue Issue 05

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IS UNITEC RACIST? / THE FUTURE OF CARS NZ MUSIC ON THE WORLD STAGE / FASHION

www.usu.co.nz/inunison

AT ’A SSOCIATION

14/05/2009 8:24:43 p.m.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT SERVICES AT UNITEC IN THE

2009 STUDENT SATISFACTION SURVEY

+ x2

IT’S YOUR CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR SAY ABOUT SERVICES AND FACILITIES AT UNITEC.

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OCIATION

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COMPLETE THE SURVEY BY FRIDAY 12 JUNE AND BE IN TO WIN!

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GO TO WWW.USU.CO.NZ

TO FIND THE SURVEY LINK AND TELL US YOUR THOUGHTS 14/05/2009 8:24:43 p.m.

The Worldly Issues Issue, 18th May 2009

NZ Music On The World Stage

Is Unitec Racist?

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usu OCIATION

STU

regulars

Contents

features

Your driving is killing the polar bears

Editorial

Poll/Comic

Tirade

Fashion on Campus

Letters

Photos

17 23

Gig Guide

23 26

Newsbot

Reviews

Artist/Grad profile

Recipes

Whakarongo Mai Sport Column

USU STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION AT UNITEC

EDITORIAL INQUIRIES: ph. (09) 815 4321 ext 7927 inunison@unitec.ac.nz PO Box 44016, Pt Chevalier CREDITS EDITOR: Stacey Knott DESIGNER: Erin Gaffney COVER PHOTO: Erin Gaffney

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ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: ph. (09) 815 4321 ext. 7384 usuadvertising@unitec.ac.nz

DISCLAIMER Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Submission and contributors are welcome, but the publisher reserves the right to select and edit the material submitted. Materials submitted will remain property of the publisher, unless alternative arrangements are made.

CONTRIBUTORS Joseph Harper / Megha Kehar / Susannah Aitken / Stephanie McColl Savannah MacIntosh / Greg Powell / Jessica Elsmore Leah Garcia-Purves / Newsbot / Barbie / Laura Peters

14/05/2009 8:24:45 p.m.

editorial

Greenie

I REALLY LOVE POLAR BEARS I just find them so adorable, there’s something about their inquisitive little faces and fluffy white fur; they just seem so warm and comforting. One of my favourite ways to procrastinate is by doing a Google image search for pictures of them. Polar bears, if you did not know, hail from the Artic Ocean. They’re pretty big and fierce and like the cold; ice, snow and open water is their hood and where they like to dine on seals. I especially like them when they are fat, because in this state they won’t usually attack humans, but when they are starved, which is becoming more common, they can kill and sometimes eat people. I don’t blame them, it is our fault they are going hungry, because they are bearing (can’t help myself) the brunt of global warming.

You can learn a lot about the earth and the way we are killing it from movies.

”

The sea ice around the Artic, where the bears hunt for seals, is melting fast - because of global warming. The ice is melting earlier in the year than the bears are used to, which means they have less time to hunt, and they might have to swim long distances to find food, which can cause them to drown. If they are successful in their hunt, chances are there is not enough time or food to gorge themselves on; they can’t build up the body fat they need to keep them going through the non-hunting period. This means they risk death, or can’t breed as easy, and cubs have a lesser chance of survival. It has been predicted that two-thirds of the world’s polar bears will disappear by 2050, because of the shrinking sea ice caused by global warming.

You can learn a lot about the earth and the way we are killing it from movies; like Disney’s Earth, Ferngully, Wall-E, March of the Penguins, even that terrible Waterworld. I think Al Gore’s The Inconvenient Truth really brought the problem of global warming to the masses; it made it clear that global warming and human’s impact on it can not be denied. All the fossil fuels we burn, rainforests we clear and pollution we create is increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere which causes a rise in its temperature. The vast majority of scientists agree that global warming is real, it’s already happening and that it is the result of our activities and not a natural occurrence. The changes are clear, the increased severe storms and droughts, the melting glaciers, the increased hurricanes – think Katrina, and there has been estimations that global sea levels are going to rise by more than six metres, which will have devastating effects for low-lying islands and costal areas worldwide, and sadly by 2050, more than a million species cold be made extinct because of this. Maybe you care, maybe you don’t. I wish you did, but preaching probably won’t do much for you. If you care, or even half care, there are really small things you can do to help out the polar bears and keep the earth from drowning/imploding; don’t drive as much, warm yourself with blankets instead of heaters, say no to plastic bags and foods covered in it, cut back on meats, or even if you chose the haggard looking New Zealand oranges in the supermarket over the USA one, it’s something. Keep it green! Stacey Knott In Unison Editor, 2009

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14/05/2009 8:24:47 p.m.

HOW DO YOU THINK THE WORLD IS GOING TO END? WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE NZ BAND? HOW DID YOU GET TO UNITEC TODAY, AND DO YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT?

WHAT’S YOUR FAVE INTERNATIONAL FOOD?

etc. etc.

VOX POP

5% MALAYSIAN

Elia Vaega – performing arts student

“Don’t know. Savage. Public transport – and not really.”

Khalid Obdulaah, studies computer systems

“In 2012 it will be doomsday. The planet is going to turn upside down. Smashproof. I bus and train. The environment takes care of us so we should take care of the environment.”

6% THAI 20% INDIAN 11% CHINESE 14% PACIFIC FOOD

Juuwairia Khan, does foundation studies early childhood

“I don’t know, we will find out when it happens. Scribe Bus and train, yes sort of why I don’t drive. ”

11% JAPANESE 12% MIDDLE EASTERN

Lovo Tovi, studies quantitative surveying

“It won’t end. Patea Maori Club I drive, and no.”

21% ITALIAN SOURCE: www.usu.co.nz

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In Unison, Worldly issue.indd 5

14/05/2009 8:24:52 p.m.

the president’s tirade

Tirade

HOLA… I had the pleasure of attending an event called MESH, part of the Tasman Business Circle. Brent Smart was giving a presentation on self and business marketing and branding, though in a generation Y perspective or context. The message was quite simple… In this time, this world of instant communication and gratification the static advertising of one self or business is in decline. People is the common dialogue, yes conversation is taking over. And well, it’s true! Just look at youtube and facebook. It’s about being something or someone that people want to talk about. Go google Whooper Freakout, for an interesting way of creating dialogue, conversation. The other point that Brent pushed is be confident and assured that you are an interesting person, be yourself… Oh and wear your name badge on your right hand side, or at least that is what I am told. Oh and don’t forget we will be having a special general meeting to vote for Treasurer on Wednesday the 20th in The Hub. Please come along and vote and enjoy the BBQ too.

with a capital C who stole the poppy donations and fundraising money from the Waitakere RSA as the veterans were marching past at 11.15 am… You really are a Wanker!!

DUDE OF THE DAY…

Colin Meads, who has played 55 test matches for the All Blacks in the 60s and 70s. A person voted player of the 20th century, has decided that he would not mind having the title of Sir. Though I understand he does not wish to be called Sir! In other words Colin has accepted a knighthood. So to you Sir Meads, you are a heaps cool knight dude mate… Till next time, Greg Powell USU Student President 2009

WANKER OF THE WEEK… Last issue I bestowed the honour of dude status upon the Returned Service men and women in the armed forces of New Zealand, who gave their all so that we can have this modem of freedom that exists. Truly Dudes and Dudettes So to imagine that someone would steal from the RSA who advocates and supplies support for our Returned Service men and women is just “not cricket mate”. Well it has happened, it was on ANZAC day and it was, ladies and gentlemen in our neck of the woods. To the Coward

WHAT IS YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT? I really try not to think about them, I don’t get embarrassed easily.

DETAILS ON WWW.USU.CO.NZ

STU

IF YOU WERE A BOOK, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? A story on Elizabeth The First, I really admire her.

VENUE: The Hub, Building 180 DATE: Wednesday, 20th May TIME: 12pm til 1pm TS

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usu OCIATION

WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR STUDENTS? Represent their concerns to the committee and represent the students in Waitakere.

SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING ITE

WHY ARE YOU ON THE EXEC? Because somebody proposed me to it, I decided to do it because no one else would.

USU STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION AT UNITEC

EXEC PROFILE: DIANE MONTEITH, WAITAKERE REP.

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14/05/2009 8:24:54 p.m.

JO SELLERS

Studies Photography. We love her cute outfit, perfect for a cold winters day, complete with teacosy beanie.

FRANCES & ELISA

Both study Foundation Studies. We like their casual style and Frances’ ice blue contact lenses.

letters

Is a Electronic Engineering student. We like his shoe/ scarf co-ordination.

fashion on campus

MARCOS VILLANVEVA

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor I refer to your article on page 8 of issue 03 of Unison. Firstly may I first congratulate you on a good piece of investigative journalism. My main aim in writing to you is to clarify two points in your article. (1) To be fair to Unitec, the $8 million proposal aimed at acquiring urgently needed new facilities for my department, which I drafted and submitted in August 2008, was supported by Unitec but very sadly turned down by TEC. Just to keep the record straight. (2) The new team of executives, which Rick has recently put in place, is starting to grapple with the problems you have outlined and all of us hope to see improvements come on stream as soon as possible. I look forward to continuing to work with USU on matters of mutual concern and for the betterment of the Unitec Experience for all students. Thanks and cheers. Regards, Iain Seymour-Hart Head of Department of Transport Technology Faculty of Technology & Built Environment. Dear Editor My name is Karen, and I am looking for people interested to be part in a student documentary. This will be a wonderful experience for anyone that has ever wondered how a film is actually done! We are a friendly crew, made up mainly by women. We are quite excited about this doco and we want to welcome anyone willing to participate in it. I come from Chile, and I have been here in New Zealand for more than 5 years… I love it!! I am completing my last year of a Performing Arts Degree, majoring in ‘Directing for Theatre and Screen’ at Unitec. This is the last documentary of my degree and the topic is ”dating on the internet”. This topic fascinates us all (crew member) as is becoming quite popular among the youth as well as young adults, changing the ways on meeting and connecting with people. So if you want to share your thoughts, ideas, anecdotes and basically share your story please contact me! kpar100@hotmail.com

MR McSCOOTER

Spotted outside Building One. A stylish way to get around campus.

TOM TAYLOR

manages Long Black Café. Nice t-shirt, can I have a free sandwich?

Hello inunison people, It appears that we need to watch our back while walking through the quad (the outdoor seating bit), as there is risk of an attack by the phantom water squirter (can’t think of a better name). not once, but twice i have been squirted from the second level balcony with what i hope was water. This left me rather distressed on both occasions as a i sport a very sexual hair cut, that takes at least 10 minutes of styling in the morning as well as being supported by at least half a pottle of gel.With the addition of water (hopefully) i was left with a rather flat, sad looking style for the rest of my lecture. I would just like to warn others of the phantoms evil wrong doings and just hope that justice will be served. Victim

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In Unison, Worldly issue.indd 7

14/05/2009 8:25:10 p.m.

Read me...

news

BAD NEWS FOR WATERVIEW – HERE COMES A MOTORWAY! By Stacey Knott

A motorway that will run behind unitec will stop criminals from south Auckland coming to rob Mt Albert, says national mp Melissa Lee. This controversial statement was made last Wednesday at Unitec, where candidates for the up-coming Mt Albert by-election debated the proposed Waterview Connection; the final plan for it was released last week. The Waterview Connection will complete Auckland’s Western Ring Route and will be 60 percent underground with two tunnels and two motorways. It will go underneath Great North Road until it meets Blockhouse Bay Road where there will be a short stretch of motorway. It will then dip back underground before rising again after New North Road. The Waterview Connection will mean 360 houses in the Waterview and Mt Albert area will be demolished. At the meeting, Ms Lee tried to tell the raucous audience about the benefits of the motorway. While she “really feels” for the people who will be losing their homes for the motorway to be built, she says it needs to be finished. Ms Lee told the audience that people drive through Mount Albert from South Auckland to get to West Auckland. The motorway could divert some of that traffic - and the criminals - away from the Mount Albert streets. This call was met with much booing from the crowd. ACT was the only other party at the forum that supports the motorway, but

candidate John Boscawen presented an alternative route that he says would lessen the impact on the community. When Labour was in power, it had begun plans of a tunnel in the area, but this plan was rejected last week in favour of the motorway-tunnel plan. Labour candidate for the Mt Albert seat David Shearer, says Labour’s tunnel plan is the best option, and he will keep fighting for it. The tunnel would have preserved the community he says, “but today we had the awful reality the 360 people will lose their homes, we will have a six lane motorway that will go right through the middle of the community.” I believe we should be standing up for the communities instead of bulldozing their lives away.” Mr Shearer felt the area was being targeted because it is poor. ”If this motorway was being built for Paritai Drive or Remuera, we wouldn’t be having this meeting.” He says the motorway will devalue property and be “a complete disaster”. Mr Shearer called for better public transport, which was met with huge applause from the audience. Green candidate and co-leader Russell Norman also called for better public transport as he is totally opposed to the “stupid motorway”. He says that all around the world people are moving away from motorways, and National’s current plan is a “dinosaur approach” that does not take into account climate change, greenhouse gas emissions and the cost of borrowing the money to

build it. “Motorways do not work,” he says. The motorway will be congested from the moment it opens up because motorways attract more traffic, he says. He vowed to stand by Waterview residents who want to fight the motorway, and called for the need for “civil disobedience” to stop it from being built. Julian Pistorius from the Libertarianz Party, which believe in the free market, seemed out of his depth at the forum, sticking to the same line that people should not listen to the politicians over this issue; instead they should leave it up to the free market. “No government has the right to violate property rights of people,” he says. “This does not have to be rammed through by the force of government.” The audience were able to ask questions of the candidates, many of which were heated statements about the effect the motorway will have on the community, directed at Ms Lee. One irate Waterview resident said the government was “clogging up our beautiful city with goddamn motorways, Waterview is surrounded three ways by a marine reserve…we want public transport and rail.” While Ms Lee agrees there needs to be better public transport, she says there has to be roads, like the motorway, for the buses to go on. Work on the project is due to start in 2011 and should be completed within four years. It is estimated the route will cost approximately $1.4 billion.

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In Unison, Worldly issue.indd 8

14/05/2009 8:25:13 p.m.

news

By Joseph Harper Smoking in the hub is in danger if an updated policy comes into play. Unitec’s human resources department, headed by human resources manager Peter Wulff has redrafted and updated Unitec’s non-smoking policy. According to Mr Wulff, the current policy, which was instated in July of 1997, needs to be updated in order “to ensure that Unitec provides, to the greatest extent practicable, an environment that reduces exposure for staff, students and visitors to the risks associated with smoking and second hand smoke.” Changes found in the policy are based on some of those found in 1990’s Smoke Free Environments act and the Smoke Free Environments Amendments act of 2003 which state that all students, staff and visitors to Unitec’s campus who make the choice to not smoke, should be therefore entitled to also be protected from the second hand smoke of those who choose to. The acts also go further than that and state that Unitec should, “support all efforts and initiatives to promote a smoke-free lifestyle.” If the changes are approved it will mean that smoking will no longer be

permitted in any area within five meters of any Unitec building, covered walkway, enclosed space or area providing access to any Unitec building. In addition to this, those smoking will not be allowed to smoke near building entrances, windows and air intake vents, nor in any area in which hazardous substances are stored or are present. Smokers must also show consideration for non-smokers in close proximity by smoking as far away from these persons as is reasonably practicable and not smoke when a request to not smoke is verbalised. When asked how the submission process is going, Mr Wulff says the changes are yet to be released and at this stage the human resources department are still seeking feedback on the updated policy. Staff and students have until May 15 to submit comment, after which all gathered information will be collated and the human resources department will be able to “make appropriate decisions and amendments based on that feedback.” Though the feedback process is still under way, and comments are still being collected, Mr Wulff says “there’s certainly been a good response.”

THANKS FOR NOT CRIPPLING US FURTHER By Leah Garcia-Purves There’s been a huge sigh of relief from students as rumours of interest being added to student loans have been scrapped. This comes after a press conference from the New Zealand Union of Students Associations president, Jordan King, urging the government to deny rumours to give students piece of mind. Prime Minister John Key confirmed Nationals’ stance on the matter on TV1’s Breakfast yesterday morning saying that they will carry on with the interest-free scheme. Mr King welcomed the news. He stated that the National government has clearly understood the impact that growing costs would have on students and that if interest was introduced, it could create a

major barrier for tertiary students.This also fulfils several of the Nationals 2008 election campaign promises aimed at students. Mr King says the Union looks forward to the National budget being announced at the end of this month and that it could be an indicator for more positive changes for students in the future. The interest free student loan initiative was originally brought in by the Labour government in 2005 and student debt currently stands at around $10 million.

Me too...

BAD NEWS ON THE RISE FOR SMOKERS

MAORI STUDENTS SLAM SUPERCITY By Megha Kehar

Maori students are offended by the lack of specific maori representation on the proposed ‘super city council’ for Auckland, a maori student body says. Te Mana Akonga (TMA) National Maori Tertiary Students’ Association has come out in support of Minister of Maori Affairs leader Dr Pita Sharples, who has demanded greater consultation with Maori over who they elect to be their council representative. “We are in support of Dr Pita Sharples and all his protests,” she says. “Maori should be able to elect their representative according to a procedure they are comfortable with,” Tumuaki, Ta Mana Akonga, Jacqualene Poutu says. She says they should be allowed to appoint someone they are happy with but this right was taken away from them. “The blatant disregard of Mana Whenua and Maori seats on the new Auckland council reinforces that Maori have had minimal consultation in the direction of Auckland city,” Ms Poutu says. She adds consultation between Maori and Non-Maori is a right and not a privilege. Aja-Moana Allen, a part of Whai Ake scholarship programme at Unitec, says the ‘super city’ will “cancel out Maori opinion”. “I think when Prime Minister John Key first came to power, he put Maori leaders to high power and I think that was just a strategic move of what was to come,” she says. Ms Allen – who is doing a paper on Maori culture and history as a part of her scholarship programme – says the ‘super city’ scenario is similar to the Treaty of Waitangi. “Maori perspective has not been taken into account,” she says. “We allow for so much because of our generosity, and then we are shunted back ten times more than before.” Auckland city has the highest number of Maori population in New Zealand. The Mana Whenua and Mataawaka of Auckland city have supported the city, its visitors and residents since the times of early settlers and therefore they should be shown some courtesy by the Government by ensuring Maori are able to define their own council representation, Ms Poutu says. “Consultation works. We strongly recommend that the Government sets out specific representation for Maori,” she adds.

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In Unison, Worldly issue.indd 9

14/05/2009 8:25:15 p.m.

news

Read me...

MORE MONEY INTO PRISONS THAN YOU, STUDENTS! By Stacey Knott Students are shaking their fists in anger at the government who last week announced there will be no funding increases to the tertiary sector in the upcoming budget, but there will be more for prisons.

IS NATIONAL HATING ON MAORI STUDENTS? By Megha Kehar Maori students will struggle more if they have to pay higher fees for tertiary education after the upcoming budget, says a Maori students association. Concerns grew after Minister of Tertiary Education Anne Tolley hinted funding to the Tertiary Education Sector (TEC) in 2009-2010 budget may not increase. Te Mana Akonga (TMA) National Maori Tertiary Students Association fears that may prompt educational institutions to increase student fees. “At present they are not allowed to raise the fees more than five percent a year,” Tumuaki,Te Mana Akonga, Jacqualene Poutu said. “But they might need to do it now in order to survive.” She adds if the Government does not increase the funding, the debt could potentially fall on Maori students. “Already Maori students depend on student loans,” she says. Eli Manufekar, who is finishing a Diploma in Civil Engineering from Unitec, says more than the cultural heritage, it is the socio-economic background which really matters. “When you come from a household whose income is under $35,000 a year, education is not a priority,” he says. “You will find more Maori and Polynesian are doing one-year certificate papers rather than a proper degree which

takes more time to finish. Certificate papers are minimum qualification so most of them will take it,” he adds. Wellington-based student body Te Mana Akonga also fears the funding freeze may lead to institutions limiting their student intake – in a time when demand for skilled professionals and consequently tertiary education is on the rise. “This is a time for the Government to invest in skilling up the nation,” Ms Poutu says. “Maori students are concerned they are underrepresented in tertiary education and any such moves will serve as an additional barrier to them accessing education,” she adds. Ms Poutu says the student body is making sure their issue gets a lot of media attention. Te Mana Akonga has also contacted the Minister of Tertiary Education. “We have given her ideas and how the change could affect Maori students. We want a barrier-free option for students,” she says. “Given that the National Government have said they would like better outcomes for Maori in education, a policy that does not increase the overall funding to the sector may lead to perverse outcomes and will hinder their goals for Maori participating in education,” Te Mana Akonga said in a media release.

“A decision not to increase funding to the sector is, in effect, an unacceptable cut to tertiary education,” says Sophia Blair, CoPresident of the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA). NZUSA says this will have a negative impact on the quality of tertiary education that students receive, and that universities and polytechs may need to take drastic measures to cope, such as limiting entry to courses. “Students are also extremely concerned that the Government may, in the coming years, make changes to the centralised fee maxima system and allow institutions to set their own fees in an attempt to make up the Government’s funding shortfall,” Ms Blair says. Nationals’ tightening on tertiary education funding is a direct contrast to the Australian Government, who recently announced an extra increase of A$2.6 billion in funding to the tertiary sector to ensure that people will be able to access education through the recession. “Our Government needs to follow the lead of the Australian Government and take this recession as an opportunity to invest in our people. The last thing New Zealand needs is to come out of this recession with an even less educated, less skilled and less productive society than we started with,” Ms Blair says. Labour Tertiary Education Spokesperson Maryan Street agrees that National should follow the Australian Government. She says the National is cutting spending on cut tertiary education spending to pay for prisons and the probation service instead. “It is clear that this Government prefers to invest in the services required for society’s offenders rather than in the education required to keep people in work and out of penal institutions,” she says.

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In Unison, Worldly issue.indd 10

14/05/2009 8:25:16 p.m.

news

By Joseph Harper

Me too...

EXECUTION, 30 APRIL:

I was cold as I walked to this exec meeting; so cold, I shivered a bit. Luckily, a knight came in the form of Maori representative, Hanelle Harris. The meeting began with hell pizza for the second week running.

STONERS PROTEST BY SMOKING UP IN PUBLIC By Megha Kehar Rain poured down and plumes of smoke rose up as many supporters of marijuana law reform gathered in central auckland’s albert park on may 2 to celebrate international J Day by getting high. Even though the weather resulted in a lower turnout, many braved the rain to roll up joints or smoke from bongs as bands filled the atmosphere with reggae music. A J Day regular, Steven Salmon, says last year was much better because it was bright and sunny. “A lot more people had come out for J Day. I thought [because of the rain] no one would turn up this year. I came here and I was like woah!” he says. While many chose to enjoy the high in the company of several others, some retreated to quiet corners under the trees. The normally quiet park was strewn with tents selling reggae legend Bob Marley merchandise. A few hours after the first joints were rolled up, a performer with a long grey coat, fluorescent green bug eyes and his face hidden behind a black mask seemed to appear out of nowhere to entertain the crowd. “That shit freaked me out,” says Kevin Smith, a J Day reveller. International J Day is a part of the Global Marijuana March which takes place in more than 200 cities around the world to protest against cannabis bans. The R18 event runs from high noon to 4.20 pm. Alcohol is prohibited. The National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) works to end cannabis prohibition in New Zealand, and bring about progressive drug policies. ”This week (end of April) the health select committee recommended making access to cannabis extracts and THC derivates easier, and the law commission is reviewing the Misuse of Drugs Act,” organiser Chris Fowlie says. “Prohibition does not work. People want change”. International J Day is always the first Saturday in May. NORML organises events in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. On its website, NORML says it aims to reform New Zealand’s marijuana laws, provide information about cannabis, engage in political action, inform people of their rights and give advice and support to the “victims of prohibition”. [Names have been changed in this story]

The options being yellowish, meat pizza with some vegetables, or brownish, meat pizza with some bbq sauce. I sampled both. The brown one had more meat than was necessary and it made me a little squeamish. This was the night I decided on vegetarianism.

Food aside, the meeting started officially at 6:15pm. There were a few missing execs, USU President Greg Powell noted that the unexpected absence of Waitakere representative Diane Monteith was, “very odd”. When the subject to absences came up; general executive Pete Hodkinson and international representative Natascha Pancic spoke up almost in unison. “Gareth?” they said. “I’ll get to that,” replied Powell, in an ominous tone. And get to it he did. Leading on from last meeting’s discussion of the absenteeism of general executive Gareth Smith, it was with a clearly heavy heart that Powell read a letter from Smith to the executive. Since I began my tenure as exec meeting reporter, I have never seen Gareth Smith. Wondering who on earth this mysterious student politician is has been, without fail, my favourite part of each meeting so far. It seems the wondering will stop. Gareth Smith resigned from his position on the USU exec that night by way of a very sincere Dear John letter. Smith gave increasing focus on his sporting career as his reason. The exec accepted his resignation and wished him good luck in his sporting pursuits. And that, I imagine, was the last I will hear of Gareth Smith. I will miss thinking about him. The meeting rolled on, and continued in this emotional tone. Next Powell requested an endorsement from the exec, in relation to his application for the licensee position of Te Puna Reo. When the exec enthusiastically approved, Powell was genuinely moved. It may have been a spot of grease from the excessively greasy pizza, but I’m almost certain tears were shed. The exec went on to discuss the possibility of buying art from Unitec arts students to decorate their new office. An idea which pleased both Maori representative Harris and Powell, who both expressed the view that the USU doesn’t do enough for the arts. The meeting closed at 7:00pm.

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In Unison, Worldly issue.indd 11

14/05/2009 8:25:17 p.m.

feature 12

In Unison, Worldly issue.indd 12

14/05/2009 8:25:21 p.m.

“We will be playing festivals and going to a few shows. One of them is Great Escape Festival in Brighton. It is like the European version of SxSW,” she says. Charlie Ash will also be supporting Kiwi rising star and “old friend from Wellington” Ladyhawke at sold-out shows in London’s iconic nightclub KOKO. “It will be great. She is quite inspirational. She is obviously from New Zealand and is doing an incredibly amazing job.” Matthews says she looks forward to meeting Ladyhawke and catching up. “I’m looking forward to it. Our hotel is right on the beach and it’s gonna be quite cool”.

feature

Sitting around in her K Road flat in central Auckland, bassist Mailee Matthews is eagerly waiting for May 11 - the day she and her band Charlie Ash take off for an action-packed six-week tour of the UK and Europe to exhibit their Kiwi talent and win some new fans.

Brooke Fraser. Already quite popular in New Zealand and Australia, she has tasted success in the US as well. Her 2006 album Albertine skyrocketed to number 5 on the iTunes US chart. Wellington band So So Modern, who have toured internationally three times, say it has been pretty good for them so far. “The response has been varied. We were a lot younger when we started. We were very DIY at first,” band’s drummer Dan Nagels says. “It was very different.” He too sounds optimistic of Kiwi musicians’ global scorecard. “The New Zealand music scene is very healthy and productive. There is massive potential for international exposure. I know a few bands that are not huge but have gained moderate, realistic exposure abroad,” he says. New Zealand’s sound has luckily not been trapped in a genre stereotype. Holt reckons the appeal lies “across the board.

As for the gigs, Matthews says a dose of Kiwi helps. “We are quite theatrical with our costumes and things like that. And we have our ‘who cares mate’ attitude – that’s so New Zealand,” she says.

“However, our dub, house and electronica are quite popular – especially in the UK and Europe,” he says.

One of the advantages of going and playing so far away from home is that audience members are completely clean slates. “We can be whoever we wanna be. I look forward to going to Amsterdam and being a little naughty. We have been working hard, so need a little break.”

But even as I explore these success stories, my mind wanders off to new bands trying to make it big. I turn back to Holt who addresses my concern. He explains the New Zealand Music Commission promotes music in two ways – grants and showcasing talents.

Charlie Ash – who will be playing Amsterdam, Berlin and Paris – are not the only Kiwi band spanning many international longitudes.

“Four times a year, bands can submit applications to the New Zealand Music Commission to receive funding. This helps the bands do a number of things, such as release an album, showcase their talent and so on,” he says.

With May kick starting New Zealand Music Month, many more local acts brimming with talent are waiting to explode onto the global scene.

But not all bands get grants from the commission. “If the bands can come up with a tour plan, we have a panel that looks at all applications. We see how good the plan is and how evolved the bands are.”

The New Zealand Music Commission, a government-funded agency that promotes New Zealand music business both at home and overseas, says things have never looked better for Kiwi musicians. Alan Holt, an export coordinator for the commission, says at the moment Ladyhawke and Cut off Your Hands are getting a lot of attention. “They have got lots of international exposure. They have been covered by the likes NME,” he says. Some of the other bands creating massive sound waves abroad are three-member punk band Die! Die! Die!, alternative pop quartet Kingston, and current chart-toppers Midnight Youth. “Die! Die! Die! are touring the UK right now. They are playing to packed shows. Kingston are on their way back home from the US. They are just starting out but they have already done some amazing gigs in Los Angeles. Midnight Youth toured across the US earlier this year and I think they have amazing potential,” Holt says. Another artist who features on Holt’s list is singer/songwriter

No band has applied so far this year. “Last year Naked and Famous, Bang! Bang! Eche! And Cut Off Your Hands were there,” Holt recalls. The second way in which the commission helps is personally showcasing the bands at international events like SxSW held in Texas every year. “We were at SxSW earlier this year. The reaction there was amazing. We had about 3000 people RSVPing to our showcases, the line of people went down the road. It was amazing,” Holt says. The commission is already gearing up for the CMJ Music Marathon, scheduled to take place in New York in October. The commission has a checklist to ensure the ‘Kiwiness’ of the bands. “Obviously not all band members have to be born in New Zealand, but should have spent a majority of their life here,” Holt says.

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However, it would be okay if an odd member wasn’t – as long as the rest fit the bill, he explains. Charlie Ash’s Matthews says a lot of bands foot the cost for their overseas tour. “It is highly unlikely for the commission funding to come through before you actually leave.” The indie dance/pop band bought their own tickets. “We put together an essay plan for the commission. Usually what you’ll find is that most bands get funding for their second tour as they have already proven themselves,” Matthews says.

Play lots and lots of gigs and play all the time – that’s the advice coming from the New Zealand Music Commission. “If you go overseas, you will see that the bands there play all the time.You also learn how to compete as a band or a group.You learn what songs work and what songs don’t,” Holt says. Playing together as a group builds confidence and if you played separately in your bedroom, chances are you might just sound shit to lots of people. “It always helps playing to an audience. It helps you understand them and their expectations better,” he adds.

Holt says to keep an eye out for Bang! Bang! Eche!. “They have a US management company behind them. They are a very, very young band and touring quite a bit.” Matthew Crawley, a music promoter for Strange News and Cassette Number 9, says the Brunettes and the Datsuns are doing well overseas but to also watch out for Lawrence of Arabia. Auckland’s Real Groovy staff members Kurt Lye and Jared Rive say Fat Freddy’s Drop is one of the most highly anticipated albums, with Midnight Youth’s just released Brave Don’t Run being a close second. The musicians that he believes are generally doing well are the Mint Chicks, Tiki Taane, The Veils, Die! Die! Die! and Pitch Black. “Oh and check out Surf City. They just released their EP and got covered by Under the Radar,” Lye says.

It is weird that New Zealanders don’t seem to take domestic bands seriously until they’ve been overseas, music promoter Crawley says. However, occasionally bands come back and complain “how it is so much better in London”.

But does it only lie in bands’ guitar-wielding hands? Nagel from So So Modern says when people go out and seek entertainment, they need to increase their personal awareness about their local neighbourhood bands.

But as conventional wisdom suggests it’s the down to earth ones that tend to do better. Crawley says they are the ones who put in more hard work and therefore get better results.

“Become an audience or a fan,” he suggests. “It takes courage in terms of social activity. I can see how people looking for mainstream entertainment can be afraid of spending money to see a new local band play. It’s all about reaching out to the community,” he says.

Charlie Ash’s Mailee Matthews finds that in this business it does not actually take much to build a massive ego. “The bands just have to play to an audience of a reasonable size to build a huge ego,” she says. Different people have different degrees of it and her band is certainly not the egoistic types, she clarifies.

As for the bands, as Alan Holt recommends, Nagels says the key lies in going out there and exposing the talent.

However, it is important to be proud of what you are doing and where you are from, when heading overseas, Crawley advises. “You’ve got to be proud of who you are – proud to be a Kiwi.”

“There is great talent out there. There are lots of bands playing in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. It’s to get out and expose themselves. It is not a marketing thing. It is not trying to squeeze a band into a business contract. It is about having a DIY approach to learning,” Nagels says. He also says it’s best to stick to your original style. “Manage yourself and do not aspire to be any other band. Do not try to sound like what is on the radio. Don’t hand your power over to other people,” he recommends.

Nagels’ personal Kiwi favourites who he thinks continue to make New Zealand proud are Cut Off Your Hands, Ladyhawke, The Mint Chicks, Golden Axe, The Ribbon, Brand New Math, the Family Cactus, Tommy Ill, Alphabet Head and Disasteradio who has recently left for a huge international tour of the US and Europe.

“He is really off to conquer the world. Make a note of that. He is not mainstream radio but he is an accomplished musician. I would definitely suggest keep a track on him,” Nagels says.

Holt says one of the reasons the world finds it hard to pinpoint the Kiwi sound just by the singing because they are not talking about All Blacks. “It is a nice surprise to them when they find out the band is Kiwi.”

(IN PARTICULAR ORDER)

THE BRUNETTES DIE! DIE! DIE! D4 CROWDED HOUSE LIAM FINN FAT FREDDY’S DROP LADYHAWKE CUT OFF YOUR HANDS DEAD SEA THE CHECKS

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In Uni son need s you! Want to contribute to your student magazine ? Reviewers, columnists, news writers, feature writers, cartoonists, story writers and artists wanted. Contact: Stacey Knott, In Unison Editor

You could get tickets to gigs/movies/plays for your efforts, as well as something to add to your CV.

Ph (09) 815 4321 ext 7927

E inunison@unitec.ac.nz

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12/03/2009 4:58:17 p.m.

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In Unison, Worldly issue.indd 15

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photos

USU & UNITEC

USU and Unitec Sporting Blue Awards are part of a tradition dating back to 1922 in New Zealand that recognise outstanding sporting performances or a high level of coaching or administration of sport at the regional, provincial, franchise, national or international level of competition. These awards are open to all Unitec students enrolled between 1st August 2008 and 31st July 2009

SPORTING

BLUE OPEN

NOMINATIONS

In Unison, Worldly issue.indd 16

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For eligibility criteria or more information email ususport@unitec.ac.nz ph 815 4321 Ext 7930

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CLOSING DATE FRIDAY 28TH AUGUST 2009 4PM

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Complete the application/ nomination form available from the USU ofﬁces and www.usu.co.nz or email ususport@unitec.ac.nz

AWARDS NOW

HOW TO APPLY

14/05/2009 8:25:53 p.m.

Melissa Lee is a list MP and the National candidate for this seat She was born in Korea and grew up in Malaysia, she moved to NZ in 1988. She has worked as a journalist, as a TV Presenter and Producer on TVNZ Asia Dynamic and Asia Down Under.

gig guide

MT ALBERT BY-ELECTION

FEATURED EVENT / 28TH MAY USU PRESENTS

I N T E R N AT I O N A L F O O D DAY 10AM-2PM, THE HUB MT ALBERT C AMPUS

VISIT WWW.USU.CO.NZ FOR MORE DETAILS

M AY 1 8 - 2 9

Russell Norman is the Green party candidate. One of the Green Party Co-Leaders, he was nominated for this role last year, before that he worked as a policy researcher, assistant to Green Members of Parliament, and campaign manager for the Green Party. He also has a doctorate in politics.

USU Special General Meeting Come along to The Hub at 12pm on Wednesday 20 May to the SGM to elect a new USU Treasurer for the Executive Board.

John Boscawen is standing for ACT. He has been an ACT member since 1995. He campaigned against the Electoral Finance Act and is the founder of the Freedom of Speech Trust.

David Shearer is the Labour candidate. He has worked for the United Nation where he helped people caught in war and conflict. He was on the Labour list in 1999, and ran for, but did not get, the Whangärei seat.

THUR

The Monster Comedy Bash Featuring: Ewen Gilmour, Jeremy Elwood and Justine Smith in a monsterous two hour side splitting show. Tickets are limited so get yours now from the USU Reception. Two dates, 21 & 22nd!

23 SAT

Gypsy Fever and Benka Boradovsky Bordello Band Album Release Kings Arms, Newton. Eastern European inspired Gypsy music.

USU & UNITEC POLITICAL FORUM Come and meet the Mt Albert by-election candidates from National, Labour, Green and ACT.

2TUES6 Unitec Blood Drive Come along and donate blood at the Unitec Sports Centre between 10am and 4pm. Don’t forget to bring your donor card or photo ID. Free Film night at Waitakere, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa Come along at 6pm to Waitakere Student Services to see the sequel to ”Madagascar”, New York Zoo animals find themselves in ‘the wild’! Free entry, everyone welcome. We have free icecream for the first 20 people.

Monday 25 May 12-1pm The Hub ALL WELCOME. Decide who you want to vote for to run your electorate.

22 FRI

WEDS

Unitec Marae Experience Overnight Trip Come and experience Unitec’s amazing brand new Marae, stay over night and learn about its meaning, the carvings and the art. Cost $30 which includes all meals and accommodation. Reserve your place at USU Reception. Metonymy exhibition and performance Aotea Centre, CBD, Free Entry. See the result of collaborations between pairs of writers and visual artists. Batucada Sound Machine with Tama Waipara 420 K’rd. Afrobeat, funk, hip hop.

THURS

USU International Food Day Come along and experience different cultures, tantalise your taste buds and learn more about studying abroad. There will be lots of exotic yummy food! The Hub, 10-2pm

DO YOU HAVE AN EVENT COMING UP?

www.usu.co.nz

Send details and images to inunison@unitec.ac.nz UP-COMING EVENTS • • •

In Unison, Worldly issue.indd 17

The White Party Free Film Night at Mt Albert Campus USU Pool Comp

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#@!* YOU WHITEY

DON’T CALL US ESKIMOS! WE’RE INUIT

ETHNICALLY SPEAKING; UNITEC IS A MELTING POT. BASED ON INFORMATION GATHERED IN 2008, 46% OF THE OVER 22,000 STUDENTS REGISTERED AT UNITEC IDENTIFIED THEMSELVES AS BEING PART OF AN ETHNIC GROUP OTHER THAN NEW ZEALAND EUROPEAN, WITH NEARLY 10,000 STUDENTS HERALDING FROM OVER 80 COUNTRIES. JOSEPH HARPER LOOKS AT HOW STUDENTS AND STAFF GET ALONG ON THESE GROUNDS. HE INVESTIGATES THE STATE OF RACISM AT UNITEC. Recently, Unitec has been in the national headlines for all the wrong reasons. Linda Tang was a nursing student who for two years passed all of her exams. According to an interview she gave to the Herald on the 29th of April, Tang, a former English tutor with a masters degree in English from the University of China, was failed in her third year on account of her accent. Following the failure Tang took action by taking Unitec and her tutors to the Human Rights Commission. “I feel that what they have done is discriminatory,” she told the Herald. “We are penalised not for our lack of knowledge or ability, but simply because of how we talk.” When In Unison published a story about former engineering student Bio O’Brien’s recent alleged road-rage assault; it quickly became the most commented on article on the In Unison website. People were not only quick to pass judgement; some were also quick to make comments which pertained to O’Brien’s ethnicity. Some raciest slurs were posted, which did not make it through moderation because of their nature, while another commented that because “he is brown he would have had preferential entry,” in relation to his acceptance to study at Unitec. If someone was looking at Unitec from an outsider’s perspective, I imagine it’d be fair to say that there seems to be a definite problem here. Are we, the students and staff of this institution, intolerant? Are we bigots? Are we racists? Obviously what is portrayed in the media, and what actually exists, are sometimes two very different things. Further investigation was necessary. I decided to try get word from the top. To start with, comments were hard to come by. The director of Unitec’s international department declined the opportunity to comment, as did the USU student advocate. Luckily for me, word from the very top arrived in my gmail inbox. And it seems as far as Unitec’s head honchos are concerned; racism is not an issue here. 18

I received a copy of a statement to the press from Unitec chief executive, Dr Rick Ede, responding to Linda Tang’s allegations of racial discrimination. Ede was blunt and to the point, “Unitec has no tolerance for discrimination on any grounds, in particular ethnicity, and has a strong antidiscrimination policy.” The message was very clear; the way Ede’s statement read, it sounded like he believed that racism does not exist at Unitec. Is this the case? Or is Ede out of touch with the Unitec population. I then sent an email to USU student president, Greg Powell. I figure if there’s one person who has to be particularly in touch with the student body, it’s the man who has been elected as representative of every student at Unitec, no matter which ethnicity they are. I ask Powell whether he has ever had students coming to him with problems related to racial discrimination. “No,” he says. “I have never had any racial or discriminatory challenges presented to myself. I am pleased to be able to say that I haven’t personally come across any racism or racial discrimination here at Unitec.” Powell sings the praises of the Unitec population; “I feel that staff and students are considerate of people of different ethnicities to themselves. The population of Unitec and Auckland in fact, are very ethnically diverse and I believe that if you were intolerant you would not do well within this community.” So, I have the views of the people who run Unitec; but I’m entirely convinced. I decide to go straight to the horse’s mouth. I head out on campus with the intention of asking as many Unitec students as I can, whether or not they have experienced racism in any way. The results are mixed. Helen, a business student of Chinese descent, feels that she is treated the same as all of her peers and has never felt the subject of discrimination. Rosa, an international student from Somalia

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studying English, echoes her views. I ask Eon, a domestic student of Chinese descent studying medical imaging, whether he has ever been subject to discrimination. “Not really,” he tells me. “But sometimes, mainly people who are driving past, they feel the need to shout out stuff as they pass.” He notes however that it rarely comes from Unitec students, and that discrimination has never affected his studies. Some students do feel that they had been subject to discrimination on campus however. Niuean sports student, Malo, tells me how he has experienced racism first hand. “We’ve got a perfect example in our class. One of the elders, he gets a lot of crap from lecturers. Just because he doesn’t always get his thoughts across when he’s speaking. People disrespect him on a personal level. And we see that kind of thing happening a lot in our class as islanders.” Though racism may be present; Malo thinks racial stereotyping is the most prevalent problem. “People think just because we’re brown, we’re dumb or that we’re not the brightest crayon in the box.” Rwandan communications student Dave agrees with Malo’s views on stereotyping. “Because there’s not many people like me, from Africa here; people don’t know what to expect. It’s about first impressions with a culture. A lot of it is based on the first person from that country. If that person is trouble, people will think everyone from that country is trouble, even thought that’s not right.” Dave thinks the only way students, and people in general, will have a positive view on people from his culture, is by making sure he sets a good example and is a positive role-model. Chris, a Japanese design student, tells me he has been the subject of racism. “Not discrimination. But people are sometimes very ignorant. A lot of people have this mindset that all Asian people are the same, which is pretty ridiculous.” The racism Chris had experienced came from students, but never staff. “Being Japanese has never affected my education. Staff here treat me the same as everyone else. Students are sometimes different, nothing really bad though. Just jokes about Asian drivers and that kind of thing. Just jokes really, but sometimes it’s hard to tell if there’s a bit of seriousness beneath it.” Hanelle is an acting student and is also the Maori representative on the USU executive; she thinks that the tolerance might be different in different areas of study. “I feel that the performing arts school

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is really good. In my experience, there’s a really liberal attitude there.” Although she gives praise; Hanelle says her course is not completely free of racism. “No matter how tolerant a place is, there’s always going to be the odd person who is a bit intolerant or ignorant or just has a bit of a bone to pick.” Domestic film students Romain and Sophia, who identify themselves as being Pakeha, feel that Unitec reflects wider New Zealand society. “Yes, there’s racism here at Unitec. But I don’t think it’s a specific attribute of Unitec though,” Romain says. Sophia agrees, “Unitec is just as racist as the rest of our society.” “It’s a part of life,” Romain continues. “It’s unfortunate; but it has become a part of life.” Interestingly; none of the students I ask feel that there is preferential treatment in regards to assessment and/or entry at Unitec. As far as I can tell, the problem probably doesn’t lie with Unitec. It is merely a miniaturised representation of New Zealand as a whole. Racism’s presence in New Zealand society is made painfully clear by recent news of the race related hate crimes, stories like that of Glen Eden taxi driver Raymond Fifita; the Tongan man who was recently verbally assaulted with racial slurs and was physically beaten. Whether or not racism is a major problem here at Unitec is questionable. But if it is, and it clearly does affect some students, then it seems that the people who need to know about it (our chief executive and student president) are either unaware, or in denial. Racial discrimination has no place on our campus and if you feel you have been subject to it, whether it comes from fellow students or members of staff, you don’t have to put up with it. There are people and places you can go to for support and help. Talk to your pastoral care tutor, or inform your class or programme reps of what’s going on. They may not be able to help you themselves, but they’ll be able to find for you who you should talk to. For serious cases of discrimination, USU provides an advocacy service, and making an appointment with the USU advocate is as easy as making a call or sending an email. The important thing is that you speak up if you are having troubles with discrimination. If indeed there is a racial discrimination here at Unitec; it’s only going to get fixed if the people being discriminated against, stand up to it and find people to help them stand up to it. usu usu

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feature If you drove to campus today, you’re partly responsible for that gapping hole in the ozone layer, and for pretty much killing the earth and the polar bears, thanks. For the non-drivers, or the public transport users, you can take the ethical high-ground; you’re going to have a smaller carbon footprint compared to a driver. Unfortunately though, most people like to drive, and it does not seem like there are less people doing it, even in spite of global warming and rising fuel costs. It is part of the New Zealand identity; in fact, many people are quite obsessed with their cars. But Green Party co-leader Russell Norman says with the way cars are currently run, this identity is not sustainable. “The fact is, it’s an identity which is a rather large consumer of precious and limited finite resources,” he says. Norman notes that car culture is a big thing for young men in particular, but the unsustainability of relying on petrol for your identity cannot last. And cars, no matter what way you look at it, are not good for the environment; they are burning up our limited fossil fuels, polluting the air, creating green-house gas and adding to the hole in the ozone layer. But as green and optimistic as Norman may be, he’s still a realist, he knows that the feeling of having your own transport is liberating and is something that is going to be important to every generation. “I will be really surprised if we do see the end of that love of that mobility, especially when you first get a taste of it; it’s incredible you can access the entire city…that is why people love their cars.” But with Auckland’s never-ending traffic jams and congestion, there is a myth to this freedom, he says. Norman suggests a new identity needs to be sought. He mentions a moped movement could be the way of the future; “you never know it could happen, mopeds are cool!” This is easier said than done when you are a race car driver; but while racing mopeds is not an option, making the race car sport more sustainable is. Vice President of the Auckland Car Club Nigel Smith says within the racing field, sustainability is becoming increasingly important, and when it comes down to it, racing does not cause that much of a carbon footprint. At Auckland’s car racing track in Pukekohe cars will usually use about one and a quarter litres of oil per lap, and most of the races are about 6-8 laps long. “Realistically, we probably burn more fuel getting there and coming home. “At a practical level motor racing does not use a lot of fuel and does not cause a big carbon footprint.” 20

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There has been no change in the sports popularity, and with a change to biofuel, it can be sustainable, he says. “I think motor-racing at a practical level will continue, people love being competitive. Motor racing is booming at the moment, the crowd numbers are good, the competitor numbers are good and even given the current economic circumstances motor racing is continuing to be pretty popular.” Even Unitec is jumping on this biofuel bandwagon. Over the last few years,Volkswagen and a Unitec team have been building is a measure of the impact our activities have on the environment, and in particular climate change. It relates to the amount of greenhouse gases produced in our day-to-day lives through burning fossil fuels for electricity, heating and transportation. The carbon footprint is a measurement of all greenhouse gases we individually produce and has units of tonnes (or kg) of carbon dioxide equivalent. If you drive a lot, heat your house excessively, and even buy lot of junk food covered in plastics, then your carbon footprint is going to be quite big. are gases including water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. Some human activities are increasing the amount of these gases, in the earth’s atmosphere, which is causing climate change. is any long-term significant change in the expected patterns of average weather. Climate change reflects abnormal variations to the expected climate within the Earth’s atmosphere and subsequent effects on other parts of the Earth. The planet is heating up because of climate change. This is said to cause the extreme weather changes we have seen lately, such as Hurricane Katrina. It is also causing sea levels to rise by melting icebergs. The melting icebergs are causing polar bears to drown, while rising sea levels is endangering low-lying islands. if it was not clear enough through the feature, less driving is going to help, in the late 70s the New Zealand government enforced car free days, why not try that yourself? Think of the polar bears.

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He says the governing body of racing; Motorsport NZ is taking big steps in reducing the environmental impact of racing by moving away from leaded aviation fuels (avgas), to move back to unleaded fuels. He says the top racing cars, such as Australia’s supercars, run on biofuel. Biofuel is a term for fuels that can be produced from or are made up of a renewable material of plant or animal origin, such as vegetable oil or animal fat, to substitute, usually in part - fossil or mineral fuels. Smith thinks biofuels are the way forward for motor racing. “It’s the fuel of the future and we might as well move to it, it’s a lot kinder on the engines than existing fuels.”

a hybrid rally car to raise public awareness and acceptance of alternative fuels and Hybrid Electric Vehicles. The team from Unitec are currently re-engineering a standard Volkswagen Polo TDI diesel; they are grafting in the hybrid components from an existing vehicle, modifying it to FIA Group approval. The car will also maximise fuel economy while maintaining the range of a conventional vehicle and reducing exhaust emissions by as much as 50 percent. The car is an ongoing project, and will eventually race in the Tertiary Hybrid Open Rally Challenge (TORC). This project reflects the importance of sustainability and the environment to Unitec’s Transport Department, says Head of Department, Iain Seymour-Hart. The department offers courses on sustainability within the transport industry, covering fuel efficiency, alternative fuels and recycling of parts, amongst others. He says these courses are really popular, especially with international students. “Many overseas students who come here come from places like China which has reasonably horrific pollution problems. A lot of those relate to the transportation sector and power generation from non-green fuels.” Many students want to make a difference in their career to help do something about the air in their home countries, he says. But there is another side to this biofuel story, last year international media reported on biofuels causing a 75 percent increase in food prices, because of the high western world demand for the third world to supply the crops, such as palm, to make biofuel. There has been criticism about biofuel because of the land and energy needed to grow crops to turn into fuel, it has been alleged rainforests have been cleared for crops, and the switch by farmers from growing food crops to the more lucrative biofuel crops had led to food shortages and higher prices. Some reports claim biofuel causes more carbon emissions; a study by The Nature Conservancy and the University of Minnesota found that converting land for biofuels caused more carbon emissions than what one would save by using biofuels. So damned if you do, damned if you don’t? Not really. In the wise words of Seymour-Hart don’t just drive for the sake of it. “There is a pressing need for everyone to have the smallest carbon footprint as possible. It’s the responsible of every single human on earth.”

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om to r f d s ht o e g iz iP ni r -p an the t o e& n p S ob n o l G wo be

usu presents: the annual

white party wear white & glow

Friday

5th June, 7pm at Carrington’s

$5 USU Members (Unitec Students)

$10 Non-Members (Everyone Else)

$10 Door Sales (If Avaliable)

Tickets from USU Reception (Bldg 180 – The Hub)

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R18 ID Required

In Unison, Worldly issue.indd 22

www.usu.co.nz 14/05/2009 8:26:21 p.m.

column

Whakarongo Mai WITH JOSEPH HARPER

MY FAVOURITE WORLD I like chicken fried rice/butter chicken as much as the next guy and possibly more so than some vegetarians. Don’t get me wrong; I’m partial as to the concept of sumo wrestling, and the tale of Russian dog/hero, Laika, brings genuine tears to my eyes. I dig foreign stuff. I truly do. Honest to god, I have a little Asian fetish. All these things are true. The world is remarkable place, full of wondrous worlds. But these worlds don’t get me excited. These worlds are not the worlds of my dreams. In fact, the real world is really quite nightmarish. I get depressed easily. I cried this morning because I had run out of kiwifruit, and therefore had no nutritious piece ’o’ fruit to pack away in my brown paper bag and eat for my lunch (after a sandwich of course -lettuce, sweet-chilli and cream cheese). I am emotionally weak, and because of this, watching the news and having the horrors which are engulfing our world at the moment thrust in my face by clean-cut men in suits, is almost enough to drive me to suicide. Pigs are sneezing and everybody is being hit hard by encroaching baldness. I DONT WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT! No; there is only one world which I genuinely fantasize about. THE LOST WORLD. When I get home from a hard day of being a semi-professional writer/fully-rad student; there is only one thing I do to relax. I brew myself a steaming cup of English breakfast tea, put on my favourite pair of corduroy slippers, and sit down in front of my television, ready to watch Jurassic Park, the Lost World: Jurassic Park II, or Jurassic Park III. Oh, how I wish I could be in that world. Oh, how I faint at the very thought of petting a diplodocus. Oh, how I want it to be real. Dinosaurs thrill me to no end. I have a recurring dream where I have a pet stegosaurus. I ride him to town and crush cars. We go to Subway together and have the Vege Delite. There is no doubt in my mind; the world would be a better place if dinosaurs still roamed. They would at once provide us with awe, and put all our problems into perspective. Who cares about recession when there’s a T. Rex at the door. I have just sent an email to John Key outlining my position, and flat out begging for all of our country’s resources to be shifted to the field of scientific dinosaur de-extinction research. I am yet to receive a reply.

NEWS ROUND UP WITH THE NEWS-BOT Hi ya Stinkies. Hope your sorry lives are still giving you enough things to moan about. It is highly likely that of all the curses of all the pigs in the world, the swine flu is one of them. New Zealand is the sixth country to report the wretched boar’s disease. If you are not all that into water and stuff, now is definitely a good time to get into the habit of washing hands. Bathing would be ideal though. Funnily enough, it seems Swine flu isn’t on everyone’s bad books. Some of my Facebook friends are actually ‘fans’ of the said pandemic. Actually that was a joke. I don’t have any friends. Also Facebook is for degenerates. Bwahaha. Something that scares me even more than the flu is the apparent lack of G-rated movies in New Zealand. Seriously. Chief Censor Bill Hastings is peeved off by this gross negligence too. What do you reckon the parents are supposed to do with their brats during school holidays? Personally speaking I’d rather have them slam spaghetti on the wall and watch it slowly slide down, than say watch Angelina Jolie make out with random dudes. In unrelated news, TVWorks, owner of TV3, is finally paying the price for getting too greedy. The media house screened adverts on three Sundays during the 2007 Rugby World Cup and now faces fines up to $300,000. Apparently, there are laws against broadcasting commercials on Sunday between 6 am and midday. I have just one question. What were the guys at TVWorks thinking? Can’t believe they thought they could get away with something like this! Maybe they should try and broadcast family photos or artsy self portraits on TV.You know, just to see if anyone notices. Now who’s with me when I say Eskimo marshmallow lollies are effing awesome. A Canadian tourist in New Zealand begs to differ though. The tourist thinks labelling the lollies ‘Eskimo’ is racist. Esk… oops I mean the E word even sparked a controversy online with many Kiwis defending their prized lollies. Not sure who won but I’m slightly saddened because I always thought living in an igloo like an E would be the cutest thing ever. Okay, I have a question for you. Imagine you’re 200 years old and your parents said to you, “Hey, congratulations! We finally have an official name for you!” How would you respond to that? Okay forget that. Imagine you’re 200 years old and your parents said to you, “Hi ya. Guess what? We’ve decided not to call you Bob anymore!” How would that make you feel? I am guessing that’s the kind of ideological trauma North and South Island are going through at this point because New Zealand Geographic Board reckons their names aren’t just ‘formal’ enough.

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In Unison, Worldly issue.indd 23

14/05/2009 8:26:26 p.m.

TO ! .nz ER ALL c.ac T IS ST unite G RE N Alubs@ RUusuc l

THURSDAY 28 MAY 10AM – 2PM IN THE HUB (BLDG 180)

COME ALONG AND EXPERIENCE DIFFERENT CULTURES AND TANTALISE YOUR TASTE BUDS OR

RUN A STALL AND REPRESENT YOUR COUNTRY BY SHOWCASING YOUR CULTURE’S DELICACIES LEARN MORE ABOUT STUDYING ABROAD AND TALK TO STUDENTS WHO HAVE DONE AN EXCHANGE

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EMAIL USUCLUBS@UNITEC.AC.NZ IF YOU WANT TO RUN A STALL. AT

In Unison, Worldly issue.indd 24

WWW.USU.CO.NZ 14/05/2009 8:26:27 p.m.

dear barbie

Dear Barbie, I meet this guy last Wednesday at Margaritas. He was really charming and bought me like two of the $3 drinks and like, gave me the eye all night! He was wearing an open pink shirt, which he stripped off to reveal a loose single. He had the most sexy dragon tattoos (I later found out we had matching tribal ones on our backs), as well as a hot as skinny moustache, and was wearing these cool suit pants, and had slicked back dark hair, with lots of bling. We were dancing and grinding on the dance floor for a few hours, and then we went back to my house. It was the most amazing time of my life, we really connected you know? And I am totally in love. The only thing is, when I woke up he was gone. I’ve been thinking about him all week! Can you please print this photo of him in your column; I took it at the club…I’m desperate to find him again! Or Zac, if you read this, please, please, please call me 027 45609132. -Love Bella Haha. Trash loves trash. I am printing this on one condition, if your desperado plea works and you see this filth again, you two must NEVER breed with each other, or anyone else for that matter. xx Barbie.

xox

Dear BARBIE

DaRE BAarbeYi yO I JuzT WaNnAA sAy tHAArt YoRR A rELz bIItch yAll, YoU Tldd Mi gFF tOO DUmmP Mi I Iz GuNa KiLL Ya!! fUUcCk U~ -jAaK - Clear throat, deep breath in, think pure thoughts, close eyes, and breathe out. Open eyes. Focus. Jesus F’n Christ, what the hell is wrong with you? It took me five minutes to decipher this ridiculous abomination of the English language. I bet it took you as long to write it, what with the caps on caps off every second letter. No wonder your girlfriend dumped you, you’re the biggest waste of space imaginable, and I hope your friends, if you even have any, dump you too. Instead of plotting my death – which is not possible; I’m plastic you fool – start focusing on your own. Your life is not worth the paper this is printed on. No kisses for you, bitch. Barbie

CHECK OUT IN UNISON ONLINE FOR NEW DEAR BARBIE COLUMNS WWW.USU.CO.NZ/INUNISON Or send your own questions to inunison@unitec.ac.nz

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14/05/2009 8:26:27 p.m.

column

The Goose’s

GANDER AT SPORT

JESSE RYDER – PISSHEAD OR BRILLIANT CRICKETER? The big man has taken the New Zealand cricket landscape by storm on and off the field. Personally I don’t care how drunk he gets in between games for the Black Caps, if he can keep scoring runs like no other kiwi batsman since possibly Glenn Turner or latterly Martin “The Rug Doctor” Crowe.

Sport

OK, just in case there are any young up-and-coming cricketers or sports people reading this, I don’t actually condone a mix of elite sport and downing 96 pints of lager after you’ve flayed the opposition’s bowlers all around the park, but the lad needs to be cut some slack here. After all, he’s only 24! You show me a 24 year old who doesn’t like a good night out with his mates at the end of a series (as happened in Christchurch when the big lad was struggling to get through a toilet door) and have a few coldies. I know when I was 24 I used to…oh that’s right I can’t really remember much of my 20s, a bit of a gap there in the memory bank. Anyway, big Jesse is an extremely talented cricketer and to be honest, New Zealand Cricket can’t afford to lose the big fella to the cash cows of 20-20 cricket currently going on in India and also other parts of the world. The supposed “powers that be” in charge of cricket here need to take a long hard look at themselves after losing some of our finest players over the last few years because of the so called selection rotation policy and in that group I include, Shane Bond, Lou Vincent, Daryl Tuffey and Hamish Marshall. They also managed to force an earlier than needed retirement on our test and one day game highest scoring batsmen in Stephen Fleming and Nathan Astle, both retired a year or two before they should’ve. So let’s cut Jesse a bit of slack, not too much though and let the lad enjoy a brew or 2 after a hard days work at the crease or in the field and hopefully one day (it really is more of when rather than if) he breaks the “Rug Doctors”

highest test score of 299 and go just one run more to become the first NZ Test batsman to reach a triple century. Good on ya Jesse Ryder. EXTRA TIME: Thankfully, American sports network ESPN has lost the rights to broadcast European Champions League football, which is great news as it means football fans in NZ no longer have to put up with the inane ramblings of “I’m Tommy Smith wit’ a Y”. Tommy’s main catchphrase is usually blurted out after a goal is scored with which he says “and there’s a great bulge in the Onion Bag”, some of Tommy’s ’greatest hits’ include: ”Liverpool don’t do very well in Italy, especially against Italian teams.” ”It’s 1-1, and if there are no more goals it’ll be a draw.” and finally, (Discussing the Nigerian-born, Polish international Emmanuel Olisadebe) ”Like my mother said to me: ’If your cat had kittens inside an oven, would you call them scones?” Cheers, I’m the Goose and You’re Not

UNITEC STUDENTS/STAFF!! PLAY SQUASH AT MT ALBERT CAMPUS!! FREE GEAR HIRE IN APRIL AND MAY!! ONLY $4.50 EACH BEFORE 5PM ANY DAY!!

Get your fellow students /staff together now for some fun!! Book a squash court now ! For bookings Ph 815 8602 or email play@natsquash.co.nz or book via our website. www.play@natsquash.co.nz • • • • •

Subway Restaurant on site. Pro Shop, Restringing service Shower facilities Refreshments available Coaching available

The National Squash Centre is located inside the Unitec Campus, Gate 3, Carrington Road, MT Albert - beside O’Ryan’s Gym.

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In Unison, Worldly issue.indd 26

14/05/2009 8:26:27 p.m.

reviews

Director Richard Curtis’ The Boat That Rocked, is a music-filled film, with comedy, drama and of course a little romance. The story follows Young Carl (Tom Sturridge) who is sent by his mother to live on the pirate radio ship of Radio Rock, which is managed by his god-father Quentin (Bill Nighy) to sort himself out. Being a ship full of sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll though, and with a bunch of rouges to guide him, including a crazy New Zealander played by Rhys Darby, this hope of a straight and narrow path is short lived. Set during the 60s when the revolution of music was about to push the limits, The Boat That Rocked offers an energetic and somewhat bizarre assortment of pirate DJs as they play the latest and greatest of top tunes, while the rest of Britain prefers jazz music. As the movie progresses on we are offered a further in-depth look at each of the characters that inhabit Radio Rock, but it never goes any further than a few comical remarks, a better history would have been better. Though it was a tad too long for my taste, the additional time, and extended storyline offered a nice ending and it gave an appropriate amount of time to round up the sudden overtaking of a government that was against the pirate DJs. The soundtrack alone would be a reason to see the film, each song fitted appropriately to each moment, which gave the film a strong sense of the music of the 1960s era and further helped to show character personalities and helped the film flow. While it was very loosely based on fact, the general events and attitudes to pop-music back then offers a slight education of what happened. Being a light recollection of this era, it was an uncomplicated and not too heavy watch with a few laugh-outloud moments.

STAR TREK

Views

film THE BOAT THAT ROCKED

film

I have never watched more than a few minutes of Star Trek in my life. Plus, I’ve never understood the novelty of watching battles and harmonies between spaceships and aliens. To put it bluntly, this movie just seemed like utter crap and what the hell was a small Asian girl doing walking into a theatre of certain smelly-nerdy-BO doom? Oogling Chris Pine I guess.... and oogle Chris Pine I did.

The story begins with Captain Kirk’s (Pine) equally oogleworthy father who tries to save the USS Kelvin from a Romulan attack. Sacrificing his own life, he manages to distract the enemy ship while his wife gives birth to junior on an escaping shuttle ship thingy. Little Kirk then grows up to be some hot badass mofo who gets beaten up a lot and -- holy crap, brace yourself for the bombshell -- somehow finds himself as the first commander of the USS Enterprise. Along the way, his stick-it-to-the-man attitude clashes with a rather conformist lad named Spock. This gets Kirk in a lot of trouble. The storyline allows for the introduction of some awesome characters, particularly Scotty played by none other than Simon Pegg.

Cinematically it was flawless. Dialogue was slightly confusing at times where most of the audience was left wondering, but generally made up for itself 30 seconds later due to some comical clarification. Without prior knowledge of Star Trek characters, it’s hard to compare and contrast, but the quality of acting delivered what was expected, nothing over and above, but definitely sufficient. All in all, this movie had me glued to my seat in mini-suspense/ anxiety attacks for the whole two hours and safely stripped me of all cynicism I had about the hype. In a way, this movie has the potential to really hit the spot for wide range of movie lovers. Action, a bit of comedy, sci fi, a bit of chick flickery.... See? We can all get along.

Reviewed by Jessica Elsmore So say to ye nerds, vulcans and clingons alike: Live long and prosper..... or something like that. Reviewed by Leah Garcia-Purves

THANKS TO:

for more info on movies showing now and coming soon visit www.skycitycinemas.co.nz

WIN A DOUBLE MOVIE PASS BY EMAILING YOUR FAVOURITE EVER MOVIE TO INUNISON@UNITEC.AC.NZ

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In Unison, Worldly issue.indd 27

14/05/2009 8:26:29 p.m.

reviews

Views

comedy MAEVE HIGGINS, KITTEN BRIDES International Comedy Festival

Maeve Higgins sure knows how to charm her audience, clearly seen on opening night of her debut New Zealand tour. From a packed out audience at Auckland’s Basement Theatre came the sound of continuous giggles, not heckles, as Higgins seduced us with her feminine wit and down-to-earth attitude. Her style is more conversational and natural than scripted, she took some hilarious impromptu tangents, particularly when a gentleman in the front row took a bathroom break - and yet always found her way back to the punch line. We were treated to whimsical tales of her homeland – from Dublin to Cove, family talents and celebrity contacts, not to forget a scientific experiment involving her cat! From her love (and sometimes hate) of being on the road, to the complex details of her outfit – her show has broad appeal and something for everyone. Higgins’ captivating, sarcastic Irish humour connects her to her audience, and her hilariously wacky descriptive skills keep everyone in fits of giggles. She’s not afraid to poke fun at herself – or others for that matter, and her favourite random saying? “What’s good for the geese is good for the gander!” Combining props with anecdotes, Kitten Brides is packed from start to finish with non stop comedic banter – concluding with her three best scenarios for bumping into ex-boyfriends – which will no doubt leave you wanting more from the Irish hidden camera TV star. Reviewed by Laura Peters

ED BYRNE’S A DIFFERENT comedy CLASS International Comedy Festival I had never seen, or heard Ed Byrne before I trekked to the Sky City theatre to see his new stand-up show, A Different Class. However, the moment the gangly haired Irishman appeared on the stage, I took a thorough liking to him. I think it is perhaps his immense affability that is the key to Byrne’s success, that and the fact that he is truly very, very funny. I had a good ol’ chuckle.

STEVE WRIGLEY IN OF MATES comedy AND MISCHIEF International Comedy Festival Highly inventive and original? Maybe not, but this show is very, very funny. “Fizzing at the bung.” A phrase last year’s Billy T awardwinning comedian Steve Wrigley repeated several times throughout his hour long show, Of Mates and Mischief, a part of this year’s New Zealand International Comedy Festival. The phrase is a perfect description of Wrigley. The man, and his show. “Fizzing at the bung,” is an extraordinarily silly phrase. It’s fun to say too. So is Steve Wrigley. He’s a comedian who has the air of someone genuinely silly. Bearing a kind of goofy grin that could allow him to say almost anything and make is humorous, Wrigley clearly takes great joy in entertaining and has a lot of fun recounting stories about outrageous misadventures with friends, the motif which carries the show along. Fizzing is also extremely appropriate. Like a man who has either taken copious very happy drugs (somewhat likely based on some of his anecdotes) or just loves life way more than he should, Wrigley’s enthusiasm seems to be boundless. Every story he has seems cherished, and every detail seems fond. It’s easy to get sucking into Wrigley’s world for these two reasons. He is just so likable that the laughs come easy. Steve Wrigley really allows you to feel like you’re one of his mates. The only real downer on the show was the venue. The Basement didn’t really suit Wrigley’s aesthetic (too dingy) and I was praying for him to put down the completely superfluous microphone for practically the whole hour. Also, an extractor fan on the wall which periodically whirred to life was peeving me off. Overall though, a thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended night out. Reviewed by Joseph Harper

The show is loosely tied together by the theme of class, primarily Byrne musing on where he fits in caste-wise. He decides he is too poor to be upper-class, too wealthy to be working-class, but definitely not middle-class either. Though the notion of class is not as much of a preoccupation here in New Zealand as it is in Byrne’s native Britain; the comedian managed to make it work and had the crowd in the palm of his hand for the entire hour and a half he was on. What I loved about Byrne’s act was that there was no real gimmick.

He was just a man with an obvious knack for telling stories, good stories too. A lovely level of absurdity that was never unbelievable. A definite recommendation; if you get the opportunity to go along to one of Byrne’s shows, do take it. I guarantee you a night of fun and possibly sore sides on the car ride home. Reviewed by Joseph Harper

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In Unison, Worldly issue.indd 28

14/05/2009 8:26:32 p.m.

THANKS TO THE “BOOK LADY” IN THE HUB ON TUESDAYS

JANET FRAME An Autobiography

Janet Frame is one of New Zealand’s most acclaimed writers, and I don’t recall ever reading anything of hers. She has always been on my reading list, so what better way to start than her autobiography, perhaps better known as the film version, An Angle At My Table. The three part autobiography divides Frame’s life into three clear stages, childhood in To The Is-land, young adult heading out in the world on her own in An Angle At My Table, and adult life in The Envoy From Mirror Land. From the first page to the last, the reader is guided through Frame’s life like they are standing next to her. Her prose is so descriptive and poetic, though at times, the descriptiveness is hard to believe, especially when she is recalling clear memories from when she was four. The poverty she and her family experienced, like the fact her and her sisters all slept on the same bed with no sheets, and she had the exact same school uniform the whole way through high-

OR ! F AM PLE E CR PEO E IC T 20 E S E FR FIR E TH

school, is quite hard to believe given all the luxuries many have today, but the detail also works as a history lesson as to what life was like in small town New Zealand in the early 20th century. The book shows there are many moments of tragedy in her life, and she always uses her poetry as an escape from it which makes it clear from the start she was never destined to stay living in her small farming town.

reviews

Classic Book Review

Frame goes to university and teacher college in the second part of the book, where she learns Freudian theories which she smugly applies to her family when she heads home for holidays. Frame’s misdiagnosed schizophrenic is a dominant theme through the book, at times she romanticises it to make her more different, but it also brings trauma when she spends much of her young adult life in and out of New Zealand’s hospitals. In the third chapter, the introvert is given the push by a fellow writer to get out into the world, which the final part is all about. She falls in love, finds more people like her and explores the world, her new base being London. This autobiography was very dense and at times hard to read with its many layers of meaning and poems scattered throughout it to add to the story, but definitely worth a look if you want to get to know one of New Zealand’s most regarded writers.

USU PRESENTS

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WAITAKERE CAMPUS FREE ENTRY ALL WELCOME

In Unison, Worldly issue.indd 29

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14/05/2009 8:26:32 p.m.

band profile

BAND PROFILE: CLAP CLAP RIOT

Profile

CLAP CLAP RIOT ARE AN AUCKLAND-BASED ALTERNATIVE ROCK QUARTET CONSISTING OF STEPHEN HEARD ON VOCALS AND GUITAR, DAVE ROWLANDS ON GUITAR, SAM MOUNTAIN ON DRUMS AND TRISTAN COLENSO ON BASS. KNOWN FOR THEIR ENGAGING GUITAR HOOKS, CLAP CLAP RIOT ARE OFTEN COMPARED TO KIWI LUMINARIES CUT OFF YOUR HANDS. Megha Kehar talks to Dave Rowlands. HOW OLD ARE YOU GUYS AND HOW DID YOU MEET? We are all 25 and met at high school. We met Sam, our drummer, through a friend. WHAT ARE THE BANDS THAT INSPIRE CLAP CLAP RIOT? The Kinks, the D4, The Beatles, The Hives, The Datsuns, The Mint Chicks TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR EP TV KNOWS BETTER. We recorded most of it at the lab. We recorded one of the tracks at our friend Dave ”the P Man” Parker’s house. It is just a little snippet of what we are as a band. YOU RECENTLY PLAYED ON AN AUSTRALIAN TV SHOW – THE LAIR. WHAT WAS THAT LIKE? It was fantastic. Australia was really receptive and it looks like we will be heading back sooner than initially planned. It will feature on TV in Oz in mid May. WHAT ARE SOME NEW MUSIC ADDITIONS TO YOUR IPOD? Peter Bjorn and John - Living Thing, Fleetwood Mac - Rumours, The Boat That Rocked Soundtrack, Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It’s Blitz.

ARTIST PROFILE: TIMOTHY BLACKMAN STACEY KNOTT CATCHES UP WITH LOCAL MUSICIAN TIMOTHY BLACKMAN MOMENTS BEFORE HE ESCAPES TO BERLIN TO FURTHER HIS CAREER. WHO ARE YOU, AND WHY SHOULD PEOPLE CARE? I am a songwriter currently based in Auckland, New Zealand. I recently completed a national tour and have released two EPs (Giraffes, Wharves and Sinking Sand 2006 and Modern Sprawl 2008). I am currently working on a full length record. WHAT KIND OF MUSIC DO YOU PLAY? WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES IT? This is never an easy question. Critics have put my recordings in the ’low-fi’ category and compared me to artists such as Daniel Johnston and Smog. However, I personally don’t spend time analysing my own work. I am influenced by a wide range of music from classical baroque to modern guitar pop. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT NZ MUSIC MONTH? New Zealand Music Month is great for local musicians. The concept has significantly increased New Zealand music sales since it began in 2001. On the other hand, if your stuff is good you will always have the ability to sell music and full venues throughout the country.

NAME A BAND YOU DESPERATELY WANT TO COLLABORATE WITH? Taylor Swift or Mile Cyrus - it’s a toss up.

WHY ARE YOU LEAVING? I am relocating to Berlin next week. Berlin sounds like a great place to base myself as a songwriter. From what I hear it is unpretentious, receptive to strange music, very cheap to live in and has a really amazing weirdo art community. I also have a good friend located in Berlin, which will make the experience more enjoyable.

DO YOU HAVE ANY OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDERS? Sam changes his underwear three times a day and washes his hands too often.

WHAT ARE YOUR OVERSEAS PLANS? My main goal is to broaden my musical knowledge and complete my album before I arrive back to New Zealand sometime in 2010.

DO YOU HAVE A GROUPIE? IF NO, WOULD YOU LIKE ONE? We’ve got the odd groupie. Some of them can be a bit intense so we try and keep our distance. THE WORLD WOULD HAVE BEEN A BETTER PLACE WITHOUT THESE THREE BANDS…. Creed, Nickleback and Chumbawumba.

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In Unison, Worldly issue.indd 30

14/05/2009 8:26:33 p.m.

LEARNED THROUGH BAKING With anything in life you can learn lessons – so why not when baking and eating wonderful treats?! You can think of baking as intensive therapy and personal growth, plus all of your friends and flatmates will love you for it! LIFE LESSON # 4 – EXPRESS YOURSELF With this super simple and affordable (the recipe costs about $3.00 to make!) recipe I challenge you all to express yourselves and be creative! The original recipe did not have the addition of cardamom, it was something I added because I wanted to and there are countless other flavours that can be substituted or added. The same goes for the choice of tea – feel free to experiment with other teas, or leave it out altogether and enjoy the flavours of cardamom and orange in this tea cookie. So, let your creativity emerge and make a cookie that not only suits your tastes, but that contains a little of your individuality! Enjoy!

CARDAMOM EARL GREY COOKIES

Home Comforts WITH SUSANNAH AITKEN

Hi. I’m Susannah. Sometimes I bite off more than I can chew.

Yum Yum

Life Lessons

recipes

STEPHANIE MCCOLL’S

I went feijoa gathering with some friends last week on a small farm. We traded half a day of labour for the ‘seconds’ underneath a small group of ten or so trees and ended up returning home with enough feijoas to fill my bath tub. Many of these feijoas went into chutney, almost as many became jam, and still more went into our freezers* and have promising futures ahead of them as a super ingredient in cakes, slices and crumbles like the recipe below.

We did learn one difficult lesson, though. After a long day in which freezers were filled, preserving jars sealed and cakes baked, the bath still looked almost full. In the end a tragic quantity of feijoas ended up on my compost heap, while the rest were foisted upon unwitting friends. Inventive and enthusiastic as we were about using our hard earned bounty of feijoas, a bath tub full of the things proved to be really quite difficult to empty.

SIMPLE FEIJOA-GINGER CRUMBLE • • • • • • •

2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons finely ground Earl Grey tea leaves (from about 4 bags)* 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup icing sugar 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest 2 tsp crushed cardamom*

Whisk flour, tea and salt in a small bowl; set aside. Put butter, sugar and orange zest in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low; gradually mix in flour mixture until just combined. Divide dough in half. Transfer each half to a piece of baking paper and shape into logs. Freeze the logs until firm, 1 hour (can be frozen longer and used at your convenience). Preheat oven to 180°C. Cut logs into about half a cm slices. Space 2.5 cms inch apart on baking sheets lined with parchment. Bake cookies, rotating sheets halfway through until edges are golden, 13 to 15 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks. Cookies can be stored in airtight containers at room temperature up to 5 days.

• • • •

1 cup self-raising flour ½ cup brown sugar ½ tsp ground ginger 3Tbs butter, cut into small cubes

• • •

Flesh from 10-12 feijoas, cut into chunks 2 Tbs finely chopped crystallised ginger (optional) 1 Tbs juice and zest from 1 lemon

Combine dry ingredients and rub in butter until the mixture resembles fine bread crumbs (you may prefer to use a food processor for this and that’s ok too). In a baking dish, combine feijoas, ginger and lemon. Sprinkle topping ingredients over fruit and bake at 190 C for approximately 20 minutes or until topping is golden and fragrant and the fruit underneath is piping hot. Serve with custard, cream and/or ice cream. *To stop feijoas going brown, freeze them with a little lemon juice in small batches. Those clear plastic boxes that takeaways come in are pretty much perfect for this.

*It’s really important to crush the tea leaves thoroughly, so you won’t have big, wiry pieces in the cookies. usu

In Unison, Worldly issue.indd 31

14/05/2009 8:26:36 p.m.

EW EN GI L M O UR J E R EMY E L W O O D JUSTINE SMITH TWO MONSTROUS EVENING SHOWCASES

THURS 21ST & FRI 22ND MAY 7PM CARRINGTON’S, BUILDING 33, UNITEC MT ALBERT $10 USU MEMBERS (UNITEC STUDENTS)

$20 NON-MEMBERS (GENERAL ADMISSION)

$20 DOOR SALES (IF AVALIABLE)

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TICKETS FROM USU RECEPTION • R18 ID REQUIRED AT ’A SSOCIATION

In Unison, Worldly issue.indd 32