WHANAKE HALL AND ATAWHAI VILLAGE UNAVAILABLE FOR 2025 04.
STUDENTS CHALK THE MANAWATŪ CAMPUS FOR OPEN DAY 05.
KIWI PASSES AWAY AT MASSEY UNIVERSITY WILDBASE HOSPITAL 06.
UNIQ ALMOST DROPPED OFF THE FACE OF MASSEY UNIVERSITY 06.
BREAKING BARRIERS TO EXERCISE WITH FREE CLASSES FOR PALMY STUDENTS 07.
MASSEY GRAD HAS SOLO EXHIBITION IN PARIS DURING OLYMPICS 07.
EDITORIAL | NEWS | FEATURES |
SNAP SHOT SHORTS CANCELLED ISLAND
AHUATANGA
INSPIRATION PORN STARS 20. GETTING COSY WITH THE FELLA IN YOUR HEAD 21.
COLUMNS |
TĪWAE
THE (GENSHIN) IMPACT OF WHITEWASHING IN VIDEO GAMES 14. 22. RAMMING WITH FERGUS
BEING FEMME IN FILM FEELS FATAL 18. 23. OUT OF CONTROL
24. SEXCAPADES
ABOUT US
PANGA
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EDITORIAL
THE DIGICAM REVOLUTION
This year, I hunted through my childhood bedroom for my old blue digicam. A Fujifilm FinePix XP60 Waterproof and Shockproof camera. In my bedside table bottom drawer, I found it. But I couldn’t find the charger, so I stole my sister’s one she left alongside hers. The same camera but in green.
I turn it on and see myself at 8-years-old. I laugh at photos of swimming in the lake, dress up photoshoots, family reunions, tea parties, terrible selfies in my school uniform my childhood captured on this little blue camera.
I pulled it out of my bedside table because digicam photos, aesthetic vintage looking pics have taken over my Instagram feed for the past two years.
I jumped on the trend, and the camera roll today flicks from 8-year-old me, to tipsy mirror selfies, beach days, bowling nights, and makeup looks. The photos are sometimes blurry, out of focus, and messy. But they still feel special.
I’m one of the lucky ones who didn’t pay at least $100 dollars on Depop or Facebook Marketplace for someone’s childhood camera, one with which the battery dies in ten minutes. Although mine dies in eight and a half minutes.
I’m sure many, especially photographers, will argue that the digicam revolution is just a trend that will die out. And I don’t disagree. While I may pick up my old blue digicam and a few months later it goes back into the bottom drawer, the nostalgia it brings every few years is wonderful. But sorry to my sister who can’t use her old green camera... because I stole her charger.
—Love, Sammy.
WHANAKE HALL AND ATAWHAI VILLAGE UNAVAILABLE FOR 2025
WORDS BY SAMMY CARTER A SHE/HER
In an email that was leaked to Massive, the Massey Halls Team informed residents that the Whanake Hall lease would not be renewed next year.
“After ongoing reviews and monitoring of the demand for student accommodation in Wellington, the university’s Senior Leadership Team has agreed not renew the current lease”.
Wellington’s The Cube and Kāinga Rua will continue to be offered, with a total of 357 beds.
Palmerston North Hall Atawhai Village will also not be available next year, Tere McGonagle-Daly, deputy vicechancellor students and global engagement confirmed.
“The village has been deemed surplus to the university’s requirements for some time.”
However, two Manawatū halls will be reopening McHardy and Kiwitea.
When asked if it will be competitive to secure a room in Wellington next year, McGonagle-Daly said they would be prioritising first-years and those who are coming from out of the region.
McGonagle-Daly said numbers of applications for student accommodation in Wellington have “softened” in the past few years.
Applications for 2025 accomodation are now open.
STUDENTS CHALK THE MANAWATŪ CAMPUS FOR OPEN DAY
WORDS BY ELIZABETH MOISSON A SHE/HER
As potential students toured the Palmerston North campus on Wednesday, chalk on concrete and buildings screamed, “Do not study at Massey”.
This comes after over 200 courses and staff members have been cut from Massey University since 2023.
In addition, students are yet to see the university answer their call to take a stance on Israel’s genocidal war on Palestinians. Massive revealed in June that the Massey University Foundation has invested $7,105 in Israeli Government Bonds.
While some of the chalk on Open Day was left alone, Massive saw that some had been scrubbed away.
However, events team placed whiteboards around campus which acknowledged the chalking and allowed the use of free speech.
One chalk quote took a jab at vice chancellor Jan Thomas by pointing at a drain saying, “Jan’s house”, and another pointed at a rubbish bin and said “Massey”.
Multiple whiteboards said, “The university has chosen to leave this messaging in place as we value ourselves as an institution that encourages freedom of speech and supports students and staff to think and express themselves freely.”
The message continued, “Massey reserves the right to remove protest art that causes a health and safety risk, damages property, or causes environmental harm.”
The Student Action Collective (SAC) led the chalk protesting the night before Open Day.
In a statement they said, “We feel Massey is using PR to spin the reality of the student experience.”
They felt the university was more dedicated to image than education quality.
“The whiteboard was a pretty creative and tactical maneuver — whether it was because they simply didn’t have time to wash all of the chalk off or because they wanted to avoid embarrassing themselves”.
SAC said the university had previously embarrassed itself when at last year's Open Day, students were
trespassed for chalking “save our papers” and other slogans around campus.
“It is dishonest of Massey to say they encourage students and staff to express themselves freely when they have done everything they can to ensure students and staff have as difficult a time as possible being heard”.
The collective may have been referring to when pro-Palestine protest art was covered in June and was met with student outrage.
KIWI PASSES AWAY AT MASSEY WILDBASE HOSPITAL
WORDS BY SAMMY CARTER A SHE/HER
Rāwhiti, a kiwi from the Wellington Zoo, was rushed to the Massey University Wildbase Hospital in Palmerston North after a fragment of wire in her stomach caused a infection.
Keepers noticed Rāwhiti appeared unwell on July 24th after being off her food for several days, the Wellington Zoo said on social media.
“She was taken to Massey University’s Wildbase Hospital for surgery, where it was discovered that the metal fragment had caused a severe infection that had already spread around her body.”
The veterinary team decided to euthanise her on medical grounds, rather than subject her to a very risky and painful recovery with a low chance of survival.
The team was unsure where the metal fragment came from, as many protocols are in place to make sure no foreign objects are in the habitat.
Wildbase group leader Brett Gartrell told Massive that in 20+ years of operation the hospital had treated 523 kiwi, including 456 kiwi-nui (North Island brown kiwi), 44 rowi (Okarito brown kiwi), 13 tokoeka, 5 roa (greater spotted kiwi) and 5 little spotted kiwi.
The hospital, situated on the Manawatū campus, treats some of the most vulnerable wildlife on
RĀWHITI THE KIWI. PHOTO / WELLINGTON ZOO
the planet, including rare and endangered native birds, reptiles and bats from all over Aotearoa.
Gartrell said “We see around 450 wildlife patients each year, of which approximately half are threatened or endangered species”.
The hospital is a charitable organisation that relies on donations to help fund the work of caring for native species.
There are no living Kiwis currently at the Wellington Zoo since Rāwhiti’s passing, as the battle against extension continues.
BREAKING BARRIERS TO EXERCISE WITH FREE CLASSES FOR PALMY STUDENTS
WORDS BY ELIZABETH MOISSON A SHE/HER
From exercise, to nutrition, to self-defence
Wāhine Rise and Tane Rise at the Palmy Massey rec centre is providing free programs for students.
Emma Carey made the program to help students to better their health physically and mentally.
“Students already mention that their discounted gym memberships are too expensive, so offering something free takes away at least one barrier to being active.”
While there are options for men to take part too, it seems the women options are far more popular. Carey says there are 300 female students taking part, and 40 male students.
Being a part of this programme means access to body composition scans, boxing, and self-defence. Group fitness classes are also on offer which include strength training, shapes, Yoga and RPM.
I attended a few classes, my favourite being the self-defence class, taught by Sarah Taylor from the Kung Fu School in Fielding.
Taylor spent an hour discussing dangers around us, and how self-defence is a great use of protection. Students will spend four weeks learning self-defence.
Carey’s goal is to get more students active, “It is clear through a lot of research that after leaving school students become less active, in particular women”.
“Physical Activity has to be something people enjoy, and it looks different for everyone.”
Carey hoped that once people have participated in this programme, they will have the tools they need to continue their health journey.
MASSEY GRAD HAS SOLO EXHIBITION IN PARIS DURING OLYMPICS
Kiwi artist Zakea Page premiered a new solo art exhibition entitled Hockey in Motion at the M-Gallery in Paris, coinciding with the 2024 Olympic Games.
The exhibition explores the interplay between field hockey and the realm of painting.
Page emulates the movements of field hockey using a stick and ball to create digital sculptures while ‘painting’ in virtual reality.
Visitors, while wearing VR headsets, were immersed in the works.
Page said, “I am thrilled to be exhibiting for the first time in Paris, a city renowned for its beauty and rich history.”
“Pierre de Coubertin, known as the father of the modern Olympic Games, thought of the Games as a unification between sport and art. It is my hope that this exhibition reflects this essence of the Games."
The art is an extension of his award-winning short documentary Ink and Gold - An Artist's Journey to Olympic Glory, which highlighted Page's journey winning the 2020 Youth Olympic Games medal design competition.
The film has been an official selection at 83 film festivals since the start of 2023, winning 72 awards, including 42 awards for Best Documentary Short.
ON A DUSTY SATURDAY AFTERNOON, I SINK INTO MY COUCH, CRAVING A DOSE OF CULTURE. WHILST BELOW DECK MED SEASON FOUR IS NORMALLY MY FIRST PICK, I OPT FOR MY OTHER GUILTY PLEASURE: YOUTUBE SHORT FILMS.
AN HOUR AND A HALF LATER, I AM IMMERSED IN A MELODRAMATIC WORLD FILLED WITH KUMARA FRIES AND GAS LIGHTERS, COUCH RIVALRIES, WEREWOLVES AND DOOR DASH, A TEARFUL TRIP TO MARS AND ICE CREAM — ALL CAPTURED THROUGH THE FAMILIAR LENS OF WELLINGTON’S CBD. THE CINEMATIC ESCAPE CAME COURTESY OF SNAP SHOT SHORTS.
Founded by Massey grad Elizabeth Hodgson (Lizzo) and fellow film maker Shayden Lowrey, the collective challenges the exclusiveness of the film industry, with over 150 Wellington creatives bringing its productions to life.
The need for a collective community arose from the difficulty of securing a film-based job without connections in the industry.
Lizzo, who was formally the co-president of Massey Wellington’s student association, tells me, "If I had a dollar for every time a tutor has said ‘it's all about who you know’, I would be able to pay off my student debt.”
“We just wanted something more sustainable and accessible for young creatives.”
Snap Shot Shorts created a season of 12 short films in 18 months, celebrated by a showing at the Embassy Theatre on July 21st. The showcase celebrated with 500 attendees.
But filming 12 short films in less than two years brought many challenges for Lizzo. The biggest challenge lay with juggling four films at the same time and not prioritising one over another.
“It's like having twelve kids and trying not to have favourites."
Despite tight deadline turnarounds, the wide array of talent across different skills and backgrounds is the highlight for Lizzo. “They don't only talk the talk, but they walk the walk, and it was a huge pleasure to experience."
Lizzo advises those wanting to pave their way in the industry should start saying “yes” to opportunities... but also know when to say "no". "We have to look after ourselves as creatives", she says.
So, with season one under wraps, what's next?
Lizzo and the crew are taking a muchdeserved break from production until the start of next year with a promise of exciting collaborations. “We have a layout of bangin’ scripts and stories for next season. It’s going to be crazy".
MASSIVE’S FAVOURITES
KUMARA BLUES
Heartbreak, kumara chips, anxiety, first dates. Guaranteed to make you cry (just a tad).
Kumara Blues, directed and written by Paris Renalson, explores the haunting struggle to let go of a past relationship. When the protagonist ditches on a first date, they are plagued by the ghost of their ex-partner eating kumara chips in their passenger seat. The film explores the guilt-ridden feeling of seeking solace in a romanticised version of an unhealthy relationship. Kumara Blues questions if our delusions are providing a safe space for our anxiety to grow and stop us from moving forward.
Lizzo says, "Kumara Blues just sticks with you and is one of our stronger films. It is such a beautiful story, and has great storytelling, and performances. I think that was the point in the series where we were like, 'Oh, we can make really cool stuff'.”
THE COUCH
White vans, flat made feuds, the cultural importance of paper scissors rock. Guaranteed to provide a few giggles and gratitude for your green couch.
The Couch, directed by Georgia Cotterill and written by Haleigh Hook, is a vibrant tribute to Wellington's street stealing culture and one degree of separation. In this spirited tale, two groups of flatmates battle it out to take home the perfect green couch, only to discover their lives are more intertwined than they think. The film is quintessentially Welly and draws on banter between broke students as its driving dialogue and conflict. Leads Kate Silcock and Sarah Penny infuse their performances with lively energy, capturing the thrill of scavenging for roadside treasures.
THE DEPARTURE
Really nice glassware, apocalypse and a failed elopement. Guaranteed to give you a deep recollection back to 2020 lockdown months.
Directed by Daniel Robinson and written by Alexander Walker, The Departure is a Wellingtonbased Sci-Fi Drama set at the end of the world.
As three friends share a final dinner, they wait for a crucial text to determine whether they remain to die on Earth or leave for Mars for survival. The film mirrors the anxiousness of the lockdown months and the immense amount of comfort that is found in friends and ice cream. The film ultimately focuses on the human capacity to find humour and solace in our friendships, even in the most desperate of times.
Watch on Sailboat Films’ YouTube channel
DISCLAIMER: WHILE THIS ARTICLE IS SATIRICAL, IT INCLUDES CRITIQUES ON INFLUENCERS INSTANCES OF RACISM, GROOMING, ASSAULT, PAEDOPHILIA, AND BESTIALITY.
WHO WILL BE CANCELLED AND WHO WILL REDEEM THEMSELVES VIA APOLOGY VIDEO?
Welcome to Cancelled Island, a Love Island spinoff where instead of finding love, contestants find the consequences of their actions. Watch your favourite guilty social media stars battle it out in the ultimate test of remorse and redemption. Will they rise from the ashes of their scandals or sink into the depths of cancellation?
And who is the host? Well Tana Mongeau of course, an influencer who some would say has the most experience with being cancelled, apologising, and forever being controversial. Not to mention she co-hosts the popular podcast Cancelled with recently problematic Brooke Schofield.
JAMES CHARLES
3RD OF JULY 2021 AN OPEN CONVERSATION
A juicy BBL, trouty lip filler, and eyebrows thick as a brick — this alleged groomer will call you his ‘sister’. After getting caught chasing underage boys, he ditched the humble living room apology for a white backdrop and studio lights.
Mid-apology, he seamlessly transitioned to a makeup tutorial because, why not combine remorse with a new eyeshadow look? Talk about a quick comeback! Cancelled Island viewers were stunned. Most influencers lay low for months after an apology, but James didn’t waste time.
James manages to stay on the island for a while, bribing fellow influencers by doing their makeup every night. But he is sent home in fourth, just shy of the final, after spilling one too many Starbucks Pink Drinks on his mic pack.
CODY KO
20TH OF JULY 2024 PLAYING SORRY BY JUSTIN BIEBER AT A RANDOM DJ SET
Cody's scandal? He allegedly slept with a minor fellow influencer Tana Mongeau, when she was 17 and he was 25. Within a few weeks, Cody has gone from being the beloved white man of YouTube, to well and truly cancelled.
Although fans wanted Cody to join Cancelled Island, playing Justin Bieber song Sorry at a DJ set did not qualify as an apology video. As a compromise, the producers needed to find a DJ with less than a million Spotify streams, and who better than the freshly cancelled Cody Ko?
The islanders are pumped for the performance, and Cody starts by playing his hit song, Knock It Off, featuring the lyrics, “Bullying Knock it off”. This seems ironic after his scandals, and he is booed off decks.
COLLEEN BALLINGER
29TH OF JUNE 2023 HI.
Hop aboard everyone, I can see our next contestant arriving on the toxic gossip train! It’s the ukelele-playing, gaslighting groomer Colleen Ballinger.
Colleen was accused of being sexual with her underage fans in livestreams, private chats, and DMs. In a surprising turn of events, Colleen responded to the allegations with a 10-minute ukulele song and taking no accountability.
“All aboard the toxic gossip train,” Colleen sings via ukulele, and asks us who the real monster is. Hmmm, that’s a tough one.
Colleen is kicked off Cancelled Island in week three, after calling everyone names for believing the hard evidence.
SIENNA MAE
JUNE 2022 AFTER A MONTH AWAY...
Our youngest contestant this year is TikTok star Sienna Mae. At the Cancelled Island talent show, she brought out the same dance routine from her twominute apology video.
After being exposed for allegedly sexually assaulting her drunk friend, Sienna took a month-long social media break, returning with a dancing apology video.
Viewers had to weigh the pros and cons of this ‘apology’. Despite the lack of actual remorse, it did have some action. All the pirouettes, moonwalks, popping, locking and dropping distracted viewers from deciding whether Sienna was cancelled or not.
But the lack of backflips leaves viewers disappointed, and after two weeks, the public vote her off the island.
DAVID DOBRIK
22ND OF MARCH 2021 03/22/21
Vlog Squad ruler David Dobrik is our next contender, here for being complicit in a sexual assault. Not to mention in 2020 a man was left with lifelong injuries after David’s crane ‘prank’ went wrong.
David says in his apology video that his former friend accused of assault should apologise. I’d argue jail time would be better.
On the island, David attempts to redeem his YouTube career by ripping the villa cameras down so he can vlog. The producers get tired of paying for repairs and make sure he gets voted out in week two.
SHANE DAWSON
27TH OF JUNE 2020 TAKING ACCOUNTABILITY
Hide your cats! Shane Dawson has just entered the villa. Bestiality, racism, paedophilia, and proposing to his partner on two knees — just a few of Shane’s internet crimes.
He drops a new apology video every three years, each lasting about 20 minutes, which is painful to watch. If you've said sorry this many times, you shouldn’t have a platform.
Viewers had to admit, Shane has perfected the apology video look ring light reflection, humble setting, and no ads. His latest video was one mega apology, apologising for everything he did in the past, including apologising for previous apology videos.
After multiple attempts at sneaking cats into the villa, Shane is cancelled on day three.
PEWDIEPIE
13TH OF SEPTEMBER 2017 MY RESPONSE
Your favourite gamer — PewDiePie! He made it onto the island after dropping the n-word in a fit of gamer rage while dying... in a video game.
PewDiePie says the word “sort of slipped out” in the “heat of the moment”, while proceeding to say he won’t make excuses. Among jump cuts, he tells viewers, “I’m just an idiot”.
However, still standing with 111 million subscribers, the public fail to vote him out of Cancelled Island.
CLINTON KANE
13TH OF JULY 2024 WHO DID I DATE NOT MARRY, LIE #1-#25
Your favourite ‘Aussie orphan’ Clinton Kane enters the villa, only to be revealed as neither Australian nor an orphan. Talk about a plot twist!
His ‘apology’ was a 25-part TikTok series where he slipped in and out of an Aussie accent like a bad soap opera, insisting his very alive mother passed away. Although the truth still seems blurry.
In the villa he tries to gaslight fans into believing he is the victim (while admitting to being a lying, cheating man-child). He confuses so many viewers by clutching on to minor details of villa arguments, he is dumped in the first week. Cheers, mate.
BOMBSHELLS
TRISHA PAYTAS
She appears with her hubby Moses and daughters Malibu and Elvis. Despite numerous cancellations, Trisha is too iconic to truly cancel.
BROOKE SCHOFIELD
After racist tweets emerged from Brooke a week ago, she expects special treatment from close friend and Cancelled Island host, Tana Mongeau. However, she is kicked off early after islanders complain to production that it’s unfair.
JEFFREE STAR
He’s cancelled before even reaching the island.
Another
thrilling season of Cancelled Island comes to a close.
We’ve watched influencers squirm, apologise, and occasionally dance their way through the gauntlet of public scrutiny. Who do you think deserves to be cancelled next?
THE (GENSHIN) IMPACT OF WHITEWASHING IN VIDEO GAMES
A few weeks ago, I along with many other Māori video game lovers was blessed with the new trailers for the viral role-playing game, Genshin Impact, that showcased its upcoming region. To my absolute joy, I saw my culture has been unceremoniously mixed and melded with other cultures such as Pre-Columbian Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, American Southwest, and Oceania to name a few.
But the cherry on top is the lineup of new characters for Genshin Impact’s new region they call Natlan. Their representatives for a region of carelessly combined non-white cultures are almost all pale and white.
Many longtime fans of the game were quick to voice their disappointment about Natlan’s wide variety of influences. Prior regions were dedicated to a single country and thus dedicated to depicting the culture and aesthetics of the country, but Natlan lacks this dedication. Mashing together so many different countries with cultures and landscapes that are wildly different makes it so none of them are accurately represented.
The majority of the playable characters that were teased in the trailers had white skin tones, with the occasional very light tan. But what shocked Māori players was a character named ‘Mavuika’, a clear reference to Mahuika, the atua of fire in Māori mythology. The character’s name and powers over fire within the game are the only tangible connections to Māori culture to be seen, as Mavuika has no Māori features and there is nothing in her design that suggests a connection between her and the atua.
Still, for some Aotearoa players, this was enough. For a group of people that aren’t used to seeing themselves in the media they consume, a small token that nods in their general direction is enough.
But this type of treatment isn’t anything new for Māori gamers. For years there have been game studios that do the bare minimum for research and use the most generic imagery possible to create their ‘tribal’ characters. The ongoing Far Cry series was heavily criticised for its third entry combining Asia-Pacific and Māori cultures with no care for their differences or general accuracy. Apex Legends raised eyebrows when a lead concept artist on their team admitted to designing a cosmetic skin for the game’s only Polynesian hero at the time, Gibraltar, that was deliberately meant to resemble a member of the Mongrel Mob.
Despite this history of misrepresentation in video games leading to indigenous gamers being well-acquainted with disappointment, Genshin Impacts’s recent update is a different kind of insult. Both for how fresh of a wound it is and for how the game has found a way to scrape past the very bottom of the barrel of representation.
Maybe if it was a decade prior, I would be less cynical. If I had nothing else, and I loaded up Far Cry 3 to see generic tribal tattoos on brown characters that would occasionally say, “Kia Ora!”, then I probably would’ve been ecstatic. But I’ve seen what game developers can create when they care about indigenous communities and seek to do right by them.
Positive Māori representation exists. I’ve seen it in Apex Legends learning from their mistakes and working with Maui Studios to create a new Māori character named Mad Maggie. According to Apex Legends’ narrative lead, Sam Gill, this partnership helped “make her as excitingly and authentically Māori as possible”. I’ve also seen it in Civilization Six, releasing our ancestral explorer, Kupe, as a character that sails the seas.
Māori video game lovers cannot continue to let this shit slide, not when it comes at our own detriment. So today, I’m choosing myself and hopping on Stardew Valley. At least that’s one of the few games that lets me choose my character's skin color.
BEING FEMME IN FILM FEELS FATAL
WORDS BY FINN BILSBOROUGH A SHE/HER, PAIGE GILL A SHE/HER, & POPPY
We’ve all heard the term 'the future is female', but when the fuck is the future coming?
In recent years, the film industry has witnessed a regression in the number of women filmmakers. Despite strides made in past decades, the participation of women in film is experiencing a backwards slide... and we see it even in our lectures here at Massey University.
If we asked you to name a female director, who would you say? Greta Gerwig, Sofia Coppola, Jane Campion? Can you name another? Barbie’s success last year was an incredible win for female representation in the film industry. But how many other recent critically acclaimed movies directed by women can you think of?
Historically, women have played a crucial role in the film industry. The first film directed by a woman, La Fée aux Choux directed by Alice GuyBlaché, was considered to be the first narrative-led film ever and therefore changed the filmmaking industry forever. The rise of the feminist movement in the 1970s and 1980s brought renewed focus on women’s representation in media which led to an increase in women-driven stories and female filmmakers.
Despite the vital place of women in the history of film, recent studies reveal a persistent gender gap in key creative roles within the industry. According to the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film, in 2022 women comprised only 18% of all directors, writers, producers, executive producers, editors, and cinematographers working on the top 250 grossing films.
The issue itself is not a lack of female filmmakers, but a lack of women working in positions of power within the industry. We can make independent films as much as we want, but those films rarely get picked up by the tables of men who gatekeep film festival entries. They don’t get funded. They don’t get made. The stories many women are trying to tell are not films that male-run production companies tend to fund.
This shortfall of progress is even reflected in the Bachelor of Screen Arts lectures we sit through here at Massey University. Clip after clip, the films we are shown in lectures as examples of respectable filmmaking are created by men.
SAM A SHE/HER
BSA programme lead professor Karen Loop agrees with us in some ways, “Understanding the whakapapa of the filmmakers who have influenced the field is important, and unfortunately women and non-binary people have been historically underrepresented.” Some of our lecturers acknowledge the class material is made by men, and encourage us to deconstruct the traditions of male domination in film. But actions that match their words would make a greater impact for future filmmakers.
Loop says the lecturers are committed to “amplifying underrepresented voices to empower the next generation of filmmakers”. But it sometimes feels like we are overlooked, and that lecturers often aren’t engaging on a level of proactive action, to put in the effort to show a diverse range of material. It is exhausting and scary to constantly be reminded that this industry is not made for us. Loop says, “We aspire to a more diverse future and the gender diversity leading this year’s Major Projects and the success of our recent graduates show that we are making positive and meaningful steps in that direction.”
We want to see these ‘meaningful steps’. There are safe spaces for women in the film industry, but we need to find them ourselves or make them. There are already organisations doing amazing things for women in film, such as WIFT (Women in Film and Television) which has 12,000 members across New Zealand. However, they have an entry fee which automatically makes them inaccessible to many, especially students who are the future of the industry itself.
We all should seek out and share women-made media, to oppose gender disparity within the film industry. There are so many female-focused stories that need telling, that people will relate to. Just look at the success of How to Have Sex, written and directed by Molly Manning Walker released this year. It was nominated and won a huge range of film festival awards, including the Cannes Film Festival and the Athens International Film Festival.
There are production companies who want to support underrepresented communities within the film industry, there are audiences who want to engage with untold stories, and there are so many women who want to tell those stories.
There is a space for us in the film industry, and we must grab it and hold on for dear life, so we do not continue going backwards.
INSPIRATION PORN STARS
WORDS BY LOUIS "LUCKY" CRAWFORD A THEY/THEM
Life got you feeling down? Ever feel like you can’t achieve your goals and dreams? Want to feel less shit about your depressing life? Well, our lovely Inspiration Porn Stars are sure to clear your blues. We have a wide range of one dimensional disabled beauties going about their lives, sure to fill you with a sense of inspiration to do anything.
To those unfamiliar, ‘inspiration porn’ is a term coined by the late Stella Young. It describes when media of disabled people is designed to inspire an abled-bodied audience, and in doing so objectifies those living with disabilities and passive-aggressively shames them. It can also be seen with disabled side characters who only serve to prop up the abled protagonist.
BARBARA FROM BATMAN
Her paralysing injury at the hands of the Joker was literally done for the impact it would have on the men around her in her life. Doesn’t get to be Batgirl again until she’s ‘fixed’ through unspecified means. Because we can’t have a cool superhero in a wheelchair despite all the money Batman has.
AUGGIE FROM WONDER
He spends the entire film being understandably upset about how he’s treated like a monster by his peers and a fragile object by his family. He is finally acknowledged and stops being bullies by the school after ‘inspiring hope’ in them except he didn’t, he just made a cool thing for a science fair which is what he should have been awarded for.
PROFESSOR X FROM MARVEL
For a character in an action series, he mostly spends his time being the literal guy in the chair and giving advice instead of using his incredible powers in an exciting way. The bitch could make his enemies fight each other while making ‘why are you hitting yourself’ jokes! Not to mention all the stupid times he’s been cured by space bullshit.
ARTIE FROM GLEE
Artie is one of the poorest attempts to write a paraplegic wheelchair user I've ever seen in my life. The vast majority of his storylines relate to his disability and his desire to be fixed, visualised by the number of dance sequences the show has his abled-bodied actor do. Along with perpetuating the stereotype that all wheelchair users want to walk, they come in with the one-two punch of making him a misogynistic prick. As if being disabled somehow makes him less of a man and he has to make up for it by being rude to the vast majority of his love interests in the show. For a show with such a rollercoaster in terms of representation, this is a massive fucking low.
Give me more characters like Toph from Avatar: The Last Airbender who got to be badass and have a complicated relationship with her blindness. Or The Spiderverse’s Sunspider, whose ten seconds of screentime with that wicked spider chair made me happier than any other film I’ve seen in recent years. Let our stories inspire awe and wonder not because we are disabled people living a normal life, but because we’re capable of doing the same feats of excellence as those who aren’t perceived as different.
GETTING COSY WITH THE FELLA IN YOUR HEAD
HOW QUITTING SOCIAL MEDIA HELPED ME LIVE WITH MYSELF
Over the last few months, my mind and body have been rearranged into the dream child of twentyfirst century parents around the world, praised by Yoga teachers and congratulated by therapists. The secret to my success? Quitting social media.
Quitting is sold to us with the dream of returning to a pre-pubescent place soaked in creative ideas and oozing with the time and childlike confidence to pursue them. While I too thought this was a preachy gimmick, I have since learned the most important thing school could never teach me: The ability to live with myself.
Having social media is like having the constant buzz of New York City in your pocket. When this noise was removed from my life, I was faced with seemingly endless stretches of silence between study, work and errands. Pockets of silence that would’ve once been taken up with a quick scroll on Instagram were now moments with mostly only my own mind for company. Going cold was a lot more difficult than promised.
The 6pm news repeatedly tells us our generation's pandemic of anxiety and depression is largely driven by our attachment to social media and the online world. Relieving this social anxiety was the supposed benefit of quitting socials that I was most doubtful of. Anxiety plagued my life long before I signed up to social media, but in the almost decade that I've had access to online platforms I had forgotten what the fears of my childhood felt like. They were characterised by my physical place in the world.
My doorstep acted like a salt line that the supernatural beasts of anxiety couldn't cross. They were make believe.
It was only after drawing back from social media that I realised these platforms had taken that imaginary judgement and made it real. They attached profiles, likes and comments to my misplaced fear, giving it weight and heightening the stakes of my every move. After removing Instagram from my daily routine, I felt hundreds of eyes drop away, and over the consecutive weeks more pressure was relieved with every platform I cut out.
I slowly listened to the hum of the physical city re-emerge, catching the tail ends of conversations and snippets of the complex lives of strangers. Becoming more aware, made me feel less alone. This increased sense of engagement with the world soon spread into my social life. I have been more engrossed in my conversations with friends. Not having seen their recent stories or tweets makes me savour their words and hold my breath for the plot twist of their week.
My anxiety is still there, nipping at my heels, but it is far easier to outrun it when joy is so present, so reachable. It feels good to be wanted by myself.
I do not hold your use of media against you because that would be hypocritical. I still use certain platforms as it's simply a more efficient and practical way to communicate as a first-time student living away from home. But it feels good to question why you are using social media. If online platforms are a way for you to disappear from yourself, like me, I hope that you try turning the phone off and getting cosy with the fella in your head. They may surprise you.
MASSIVE X RADIO CONTROL
RADIO CONTROL 99.4FM IS A STUDENT RADIO NETWORK STATION BASED ON THE MASSEY UNIVERSITY MANAWATŪ CAMPUS.
Persimmon’s
album Tomorrow Morning has me laughing and reminiscing
WORDS BY NINO XU A RADIO CONTROL VOLUNTEER HOST
Persimmon are a jangle-pop band of Te Papaioea cuties, who have just released their debut album Tomorrow Morning. My first time hearing Persimmon was at Swampfest 2023, at The Stomach. The band left a unique impression, as their vibe was so mellow and relaxed one of the guitarists was even performing in Crocs. The first two songs on the album are True Crime and Public Transport, and they brought me back to that live show. The relaxed rhythm guitar was there, and Persimmon’s sensitive but catchy depiction of everyday life stood out.
As an international student, I initially thought the song titles indicated serious themes, but I came to feel like there was some dark humour to it as well. Cleaning Graves gave me the same feeling, but the lead singer's voice isn't as soft here as in the previous tracks. Again, it has a serious title, but the lyrics are sometimes amusing. Elements of dark humour in songs about separation and death might be a way to alleviate the sadness in life. Incidentally, the Main St Cemetery mentioned in this song was the first
place that left an impression on me when I arrived in Palmy. I might play this song whenever I visit a cemetery in the future.
Another song that left a deep mark on me is New Year. This returns to a softer style and unfolds with a slow narration of New Years celebrations and separation from friends. Perhaps it resonates with my own experiences of recent years, constantly moving and saying goodbye. The repeated line in the song, "I guess we can never go back there now," evokes a sense of helplessness.
Although my initial impression of Persimmon was light and cheerful, listening to the entire album I feel that it mostly depicts themes of growth, changes in identity, farewells and death. However, Persimmon don’t overly wallow, I can still nod along to the fun melodies. Imagining the scenes depicted in these songs reminds me of Richard Linklater's films, probably because of the band's rambling style which is quite similar to his storytelling approach.
Q. I’VE BEEN USING MY ROOMMATE’S DILDO WITHOUT HER KNOWING AND I LIKE THE THRILL OF IT. HOW DO I STOP? A.
You guys have been sending me a lot of questions lately, and they are starting to feel more like confessions than questions... keep it up.
This reminds me of the shared dick-shaped fence post on my farm. The sheep love it. And don’t judge, because the first ever dildo was wooden.
Whenever I’m too busy for a ram, the sheep will line up by the dick-shaped fence post and take turns. Honestly, when they let me, I love to watch. A girl being pleasured is better than spring grass.
Just economically speaking, it's very smart for you to have a shared flat dildo. Sex toys can be very expensive, especially if you want to get the good ones. So, keep using your roommate’s dildo. If they find out, tell them you’ll bank transfer them for half of however much it cost, then you guys can keep sharing.
But if your roommate finds out and doesn’t like it, perhaps go to your nearest farm and rip a fencepost out of the ground. The sheep love it, so you will too.
FERGUS THE RAM IS MASSEY UNIVERSITY'S LONG-TIME MASCOT. HE IS ALSO A SEX GOD, ALPHA RAM AND HORNED UP FUCKBOY.
GOT A QUESTION FOR FERGUS? GO TO MASSIVEMAGAZINE.ORG.NZ
GOT A CONFESSION, A TAKE,NAUGHTY OR A SEXY STORY?
I was once seeing this girl who had a pet chihuahua. She would talk about her tiny dog all the time. Anyway, I had been to her house a few times and met the dog. She was a slow burn kind of girl so on the fifth time going over, we finally slept together.
The dog was sleeping in the corner while we were going at it. I didn’t really care, I had had sex while my cat was in the room plenty of times. We had a great time, and when I finished, I came all over her stomach.
She had tissues next to her bed, so she cleaned herself up and threw the tissues beside her bed. It was midafternoon, so we had an after-sex nap together.
I woke up before her, and I could hear some kind of weird munching beside the bed. I look over and her fucking chihuahua is eating the cum-covered tissues. It was rank. But when she woke up, she didn’t notice, and I didn’t wanna turn her off to round two.
We start having sex again, and after trying lots of positions, we go back to good old doggy. At one point, I start to feel a flapping motion on my asshole. It felt quite strange, but I thought it was the girl's big toe. But then the flapping started to feel wet. I flipped around and as I did, the quick motion sent her chihuahua flying onto the floor.
Her fucking chihuahua was licking my asshole.
ARIES TAURUS GEMINI
You have been moving mad recently in relationships – platonic and romantic. Take this week to be alone and regroup with what you really want in life.
Even though you wish it were otherwise, getting a tattoo will not magically solve your problems. But it will look sick as hell, so do it anyway. Abandon your grounded nature and take a risk.
Libra, you’ve got some big aspirations, but reel them in for a sec. You haven’t slept well in weeks. Get a good sleep, and you can worry about world
Your screen time is way too high this week, Gemini. Take a break from the electronics and touch grass. Do something that grounds you.
You’ve been hitting a block in your work. But that will go away this week when something unexpected gives you a new point of view. Keep your eyes and You’ve made way too many hasty decisions recently, Sagittarius – I guess it’s time to make some more! Don’t forget to buy that concert ticket you definitely can’t afford.
CANCER VIRGO
Use that water sign intuition You are going to have a great week... but someone close to you will not. Turn on that Leo protectiveness and drop everything to be supportive.
yourself out. See how many you get done.
Your room is turning into a mess again, Virgo. It’s time to blast your favourite music and trick yourself into getting it done. In the process, you’ll discover something
Aquarius, you’re not impressing anyone with your ‘philosophical’ comments. Stop trying to deflect when people ask about your feelings.
Think back to your New Year’s Resolution –this is the perfect time to try start it up again! This week you have a second chance to make things right.
DITCH IT!
4. NZ film director (4,7)
6. RNZ (5,3,7)
7. Something you get when you Snapchat someone everyday (6)
9. Late New Zealand author (5,5)
10. Author of Superman comics (5,6)
13. Action role-playing game developed by miHoYo (7,6)
14. Dating reality show (4,6)
16. Streaming platform (4)
17. Film starring Matt Damon and Robin Williams (4,4,7)
20. George Lucas created what franchise? (4,4)
21. Author of poetry book Milk and Honey (4,4)
1. Popular social media app used prior to Facebook (7)
2. Online puzzle video game series created by indie game developer Oslo Albet in 2009 (7,3,9)
3. Website builder (11)
5. TV show set in the regency era in England (10)
8. Who plays Michael Corleone in The Godfather? (2,6)
11. Last week’s Massive issue theme (3)
12. Victoria University student magazine (7)
15. New Sims 4 expansion pack (10)
16. New Zealand news organisation recently shut down (7)
18. American musical comedy-drama TV series (4)
19. Jughead Jones is from what comic? (6)
burning bugs and faceless storytellers
I thought I recognised a face during my walk, the face of an author I paused in my movement, still and uncertain a single moment’s hesitation, a single double-take before I resumed my path nothing worth waiting for is ever simple, goddammit I kept walking wondered if it truly was the face I believed it to be
I swerved to the side of the pavement like a badly-parked, broken-down car cargo pants dragging under converse (note to self: I need to cuff them better)
I swiped on my phone, glanced behind me but they’re hidden by a tree google the author, their spouse, if they’re in nz
But find nothing maybe I’m tired, maybe I’m not but it had me thinking celebrities are recognised on sight by their posture, face, smile, voice no matter how much they conceal, they are found pinned under a spotlight that burns like the sun through a magnifying glass and these stars are no more than bugs interrogated by a cruel, curious child who should know better by now, surrounded by burned carcasses but writers? they are easier to misplace for they are recognised not by their faces but by their words stories
thoughts and the worlds they spin from nothing who knows if I saw who I think I did I think he would rather I recognise his stories instead if it was ever him at all
I’m in a café open past midnight there is a bluetooth keyboard in my pocket, scattered with stickers a story in my head, a book in my hand
I’m typing at a bar stool, framed by an open window
The club across the road is blasting music that has late-night wanderers tapping their feet
I write and I write and I wonder if being known for your face instead of your work is as bittersweet as I imagine
AARIA HUNIA
EDITOR IN CHIEF
SAMMY CARTER
SHE/HER
TE AO MĀORI EDITOR
NGĀTI AWA, NGĀTI RANGITIHI
SHE/HER
MANAWATŪ REPORTER
ELIZABETH MOISSON SHE/HER
STAFF WRITER
JESSIE DAVIDSON
SHE/HER
HEAD OF DESIGN
SUB-EDITOR
LUKA MARESCA HE/THEY
TE AO MĀORI ILLUSTRATOR
KEELIN BELL
NATALYA NEWMAN
NGĀTI MANIAPOTO, NGĀTI POROU, NGĀPUHI
ŌTEHĀ REPORTER
YESENIA PINEDA SHE/THEY
STAFF WRITER
MAISIE ARNOLD-BARRON
SHE/HER
ILLUSTRATOR
JESS SKUDDER SHE/HER
STAFF WRITER
KIRA CARRINGTON
SHE/HER MASSIVE P*SSY POCKET
CENTREFOLD BY YUECHENG WU
POCKET WOULD NOT PROVIDE PURRRNOUNS
MEANWHILE GALLERY IS IN NEED OF YOUR HELP.
DONATE THEIR FINANCIAL SITUATION IS CRITICAL AT THIS MOMENT. WITH UNCERTAIN FUNDING OUTCOMES, THEY'RE RUNNING A BOOSTED CAMPAIGN TO ENSURE THEIR SURVIVAL AND CONTINUE SUPPORTING ARTISTS.
