YOUR MONEY IS GOING PLACES
We’re making sure your voice is heard. Have a bite to eat from our BBQ, and have a chat with your Student Directors at Conversation Station, every Wednesday at 1pm.
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Editorial FOMO Easy News News Entertainment Reviews Random Audit: PSYCH203-18B This vs. That Pass the Aux Calendar Girl
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Centrefold Arts The Crowd Goes Mild Feature: More Bang for Your Buck: Nurses, Esports, and Outdoor Recreation How to Fix Everything Rad Rags for Ladies and Lads WSU in Numbers: Disorientation Week Page 31 Full Exposure: Camp Quality Page 32 Financial Personality Quiz Page 34 Waikat’ Flats Page 37 Blind Date Page 38 Horoscopes Page 39 Snapped Page 40 Puzzles
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Issue 15, 23rd - 20th July 2018 Editor: Lyam Buchanan editor@nexusmag.co.nz Design: Vincent Owen design@nexusmag.co.nz Managing Editor: James Raffan james@wsu.org.nz Sub Editor: Jennie-Louise Kendrick jen@nexusmag.co.nz Deputy Editor: Grace Mitchell grace@nexusmag.co.nz News Editor: Alexander Nebesky alex@nexusmag.co.nz Reviews Editor: Archie Porter reviews@nexusmag.co.nz
Contributors: Cameron McRobie, Nicola Smith, Antonia Carter, Paora Manuel, Kendrah Worsley, Scott Carroll, Cornelius Lugtig, Kim Sare, Peter Dornauf, Jared Ipsen, Kaitlin Stewart, Bryce Jamieson, and the tenants of the Sheridan Shack Cover Design: Max Gernhoefer Instagram: @maxgernhoefer Online: enjoyyourself.neocities.org Centrefold: Dalbert B. Vilarino Instagram: @dalbertdraws Online: dalbertbv.com Horoscope Illustrations: Josh Nelson Instagram: @joshprobably Twitter: @joshDrawbably Podcast Editor: Caleb Bird
Students Shouldn’t Be the Highest Priority Having a whinge about the Fees-Free scheme has been a highlight of 2018 for a lot of people. Some of the more entitled completely lost the plot, preaching how “if I had to pay for it so should they” or reaching the verge of a full-blown meltdown while questioning why current students aren’t getting a percentage of their debt wiped to compensate. I’m of the mindset that it doesn’t fucking matter; you knew what you were signing up for, and you signed up regardless. If you bought a pair of shoes one week and saw they were on sale the next, you wouldn’t roll back into the store and ask to be reimbursed for the 20% you could’ve avoided paying. But just because I don’t agree with the cliche whinge of “why can’t my first year be free too?”, doesn’t mean I agree with the scheme. What’s the point in making studying more accessible if the industries people are studying to enter are underfunded and generally falling apart? Obviously, this isn’t the case for the undergraduate law, engineering, and comms students among us, but for the nurses, teachers, and every government-funded sector, it’s a waste of time. Wouldn’t it make a little more sense to have students continuing to pay for their degrees, and use the money saved to increase wages and living conditions for government employees? In a roundabout way, by further subsidising tertiary study for industries that can barely cope with current conditions, the Government is just increasing the amount of staff that will eventually take place in strikes. Now obviously, this argument is a little flawed. Teachers, nurses, and other government industries have been underfunded for years, and the Fees-Free scheme was only introduced about seven months ago. Labour certainly walked into a crisis that had been a decade in the making, so it’s unfair to lay the blame solely on them. However, their priorities seem to be focused more around buying planes, building trains, and forming committees to talk about other committees. Although it seems unlike me to put something like this in an editorial, there is a Māori proverb that they use at every single graduation: He aha te mea nui o te ao He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata What is the most important thing in the world? It is the people, it is the people, it is the people. Maybe the Government needs a reminder.
– Lyam 1
Midland MRI National Youth Art Award | Call for entries
The Midland MRI National Youth Art Award is open for entries again, and we cannot wait to see this year’s submissions! Again, we have seven awards to present: The Midland MRI Grand Prize of $2,000, the Breakthrough Artist award ($1,000), Emerging Young Artist award ($500), the Print award ($500), the Abstract award ($500), the Photography award ($500), and the People’s Choice award ($250). The competition is an excellent opportunity to participate in a national art award whether this is the first time you have had the chance to exhibit, or you have done it before. An exhibition of the finalists will be shown at ArtsPost in Hamilton from September 7th – October 8th. We look forward to seeing your entries as they roll in – entries close July 27th. You can download your entry form from our website www. wsa.org.nz. If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch via email: wsanyaa2018@gmail.com Get making and good luck!
Not happy with your Semester A grades?
The 2018 Semester A grades are now deemed final. If you wish to apply for a Review of Grade, you must submit your application by July 30 via https://bit.ly/2KQQiR2.
Support our future researchers
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Final will be held in PWC Lecture Theatre on August 8 at 7 pm. This is a free public event and all students are welcome to come and support our future researchers.
Know a top student in sport or the arts?
The Blues Awards recognise our top students in sport, and the creative and performing arts. If you or someone you know has achieved at a regional, national or international level, nominate today. Application forms and criteria are available online at waikato.ac.nz/events/blues
Get your Waikato degree from overseas
The Waikato OE deadline has been extended to July 27! Apply for a 2019 Semester A exchange to travel the world while you study. Visit https://bit.ly/2JwjcQw for more info and to apply.
Network with potential employers
Interested in working for EY or the Commonweath Bank? Come along to one of our upcoming employer visits to meet industry leaders and ask questions. Visit MyCareer for details.
Celebrate Matariki with the Library
To conclude 2018 Matariki celebrations, the Library invites students to attend a special tree planting ceremony on July 25. The name of the Totara tree and a plaque will be unveiled on the day. The ceremony starts at 1 pm at The Ridge, opposite The Performing Arts Academy.
Stop, Drop & Breathe
As your semester gets busier, make sure you’re taking time to relax. Join Scott from Stop, Drop & Breathe to get empowered with relaxing breathing methods. July 25, 2 – 4 pm in TT.3.03.
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News. Te Reo Phrase of the Week
51%
of the British public back the legalisation of cannabis, believing it is now time to start treating it like other legal substances such as cigarettes and alcohol.
Kia kakama, whakapai nga rīhī. Stop being useless and do your dishes.
Weekly Recap
200,000
tonnes of Ireland’s oil reserves are being moved out of the UK as part of Brexit preparations by the Irish.
43,000
commercial aircraft will need to be produced over the next 20 years to meet the booming demand of the industry, according to CEO of Boeing Dennis Muilenburg.
10,000 •
•
•
•
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The twelve boys who were trapped in a cave in northern Thailand for almost three weeks paid tribute to the Navy SEAL who lost his life during the rescue operation. As they wiped away tears, the boys wrote messages of thanks on the portrait of Saman Kunan, who died during an operation to deliver oxygen tanks to the trapped teens and their coach. An Auckland landlord was left ‘aghast’ after finding their house vandalised so badly that insurers had told them it’s the worst damage they’ve ever seen. The ceiling has been completely ripped out, along with human faeces in the bedrooms. Insurers have quoted up to $200,000 for the damage. A giant statue of Papatūānuku the Earth Mother has been proposed for Bastion Point in Auckland. Proposed by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and part-funded by Auckland Council, the structure would stand 30-50 metres tall – making it as big, if not bigger than, the Statue of Liberty in New York which is 46 metres. R&B singer Miguel took to Instagram after ‘buzzing out’ over the black sand at Piha Beach. “First time being on a black sand beach. Couldn’t leave again without seeing it. Big love New Zealand.”
people marched through the capital of Scotland to protest the visit of US President Trump.
€200,000
was raised by volunteer archaeologists, allowing them to explore a German World War I trench fortress. They found the remains of over 100 fallen soldiers throughout their search.
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Russian intelligence officers have been charged with hacking Democrats during the 2016 election – 500,000 American voters had their information stolen as a result.
NEWS
Tech of the Week HEXA
A six-legged, agile, highly adaptable robot inspired by nature to thrive in the real world. However, with the addition of a mod, this robot bypasses evolution and allows plants to move like animals, independent of roots. Resembling a rather sci-fi Bulbasaur, this robot-plant hybrid utilises environmental monitors to move into sunlight when needed, retreat to shade when required, and even bust out a little stompy dance when it’s thirsty. Why should you buy this? • It’d be a whole lot harder to kill than just a regular pot plant. Why shouldn’t you buy this? • It’s reminiscent of some spooky Black Mirror gadget.
From the Archive
Nexus Magazine – 2002 5
NEWS
Industrious Change ALEXANDER NEBESKY Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters said on Thursday, July 12, that the offer on the table for nurses was as good as it would get. However, that was not enough to stop them initiating a 24-hour strike at 7 am the same day. The strike saw all nonessential nurse services halted from 7 am on July 12, until 7 am the following Friday. It came as the culmination of agitation by the New Zealand Nurses Organisation, which insists that the strike was not solely regarding pay disputes. Over 30,000 nurses all of the country are believed to have taken part. Mr Peters was steadfast in his view that the Government couldn’t be moved. ‘We have made a serious offer to the nurses with respect to both funding, to career advancement and also help with respect to 500 extra nurses. That’s our offer, and that’s the maximum we can afford.’ ‘The nurses said they would ensure patient safety wasn’t imperilled and we expect them to keep their word and I understand that is what happened today, 6
that there has been no danger of that sort.’ Strikers stood outside local hospitals, including Waikato, with picket signs while a larger concentration marched down Auckland’s Queen Street, highlighting low pay, poor working conditions, and understaffing as primary issues to be rectified. But why were nurses choosing now to strike? And what is New Zealand’s relationship with industrial action? Is now the chance, with a seemingly more sympathetic government, to take industrial action? Is this Labour Government merely the one in power when tensions boil over? Waikato University Political Sciences lecturer Patrick Barrett weighed in on the subject: ‘While we don’t have reliable data on the number of strikes, we do know that over the past 10 years workers, and public sector workers, in particular, have had pay increases that have been at or below the CPI, and as a consequence, pay rates have not been keeping up with the rate of
inflation. Pressure for meaningful pay increases has therefore been building, and Labour did indicate that it would look more favourably on the pay in certain sectors such as nursing… ‘I do think that Labour is more sympathetic to these claims, and it did raise expectations that pay increases were likely,’ Nurse Erin Kennedy outlined the motivation behind the strike in an opinion for Stuff, “10 years of underfunding have left our hospitals in such a state that patients and nurses are, more often than not, unsafe... “Nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants arrive at work every day not knowing whether they will be able to look after their patients properly, whether they will get a meal break, finish on time, or be assaulted or abused... “They might even struggle to get a toilet break”. Hamilton East MP David Bennett weighed in on the causes of the strike: ‘There’s no doubt that they deserve a decent pay rise and
NEWS
during the last few years, there’s been a much tougher look at government finances because we had to get through the world recession as well as the rebuild of Christchurch… I don’t think it’s necessarily that there’s been a change in government. I think it’s more because they recognise that government finances are in a much better state, so that’s why they’re putting on pressure now’. On July 10, the Labour Government’s offer of $500 million was rejected by the NZNA and would have seen DHBs given funding to begin immediately hiring 500 more nurses nationwide as well as three per cent pay increases. The most recent offer was the fourth offer in the past year of negotiation. The NZNA is committed, however, to continuing negotiations after the strike, in an effort to reach a resolution. Labour list MP Jamie Strange told us a little about where he saw the strike coming from: ‘One reason is that the previous Government underfunded health, so there’s been a building
frustration from nurses, so the reality is that whatever Government won the election last year, there was going to be some striking because nurses were fed up after nine years of underfunding’. Was it because Labour is more sympathetic? ‘There are two points. One is frustration with underfunding. Two is that Labour tends to put a higher priority on health.’ It was patient safety staffing levels that drew the ire of many nurses striking, one of whom told Radio NZ that the numbers of staff legally mandated to be at work to ensure life-preserving services were maintained during the strike were higher than the number of nurses regularly working on any given day. “For the legal requirements of life-preserving services, they staffed us as we should be, but unfortunately, on a day-to-day basis, that kind of staffing doesn’t happen”. “So, we were actually quite quiet today and quite overstaffed compared to a normal, really busy day”.
“We do often, like very regularly, work beneath that number and there’s no consequences. There’s no legal requirement any other day of the year, but today, if we hadn’t met that number the strike would be called off because it’s unsafe for patients”. Waikato University Political Sciences lecturer Simon Schofield had this to add: ‘For the public sector, a tipping point has been reached. All you need to do is go into any hospital or school to see stressed nurses and teachers. For example, last year Waikato District Health Board’s chief executive got a sixfigure pay increase at the same time as being investigated in relation to expense claims... yet, the base nurse salary is currently under $50,000’. ‘Quite simply, what nurses and teachers have been paid has stagnated in comparison to other sectors while their duties and obligations have increased. This has less to do with politics and more to do with their income compared to other sectors’. 7
NEWS
Strange’s Planned Train Changes:
Labour’s Commuter Rail On Track ALEXANDER NEBESKY Following a recent update by MP Jamie Strange, we caught up for a chat to get the lowdown on the commuter train set to see travel between Hamilton, Auckland, and Tauranga. The commuter train is currently awaiting a potential capital investment from the New Zealand Transport Agency. NZTA is expected to announce their interest in late September. With that in mind, Strange was keen to bring up the potential train’s potential internet services, posting on his Facebook page: “Good progress is being made on the passenger rail service between Hamilton and Auckland… I have been liaising with Kiwirail around the WiFi component. It will cost over $500k to install WiFi in the carriages. Can you please comment below with your views…” Strange told Nexus that the proposal currently under
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consideration by the NZTA if accepted, could see the initiative’s start by late 2019: ‘I’m feeling optimistic about it because the government is prioritising regional rail, but it is a decision for NZTA, so if the NZTA says yes to the capital funding then the upgrades to the carriages can start, and the upgrades to stations can start, and the initiative can be rolled out end of next year’. The WiFi-based Facebook announcement coincides with considerations for making travel time, which Strange said would be about two hours between Frankton and Britomart – productive for commuters. ‘We are leaning towards WiFi, if we can get a cheaper version of WiFi, then that would be desirable. A few people have talked to me about cheaper options so I’ll talk to KiwiRail when I’m down in Wellington next week and get an update.’
•
~2.5 hours is the expected travel time from Frankton to Britomart
•
>$500,000 is the estimated cost to install WiFi in each of the carriages
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$16.10 for one way is the estimated ticket price
•
250 daily passengers was the conservative estimate of demand from a WRC survey
Crush of the Week: Re-O Week Doggo Of course, the free food, giveaways and music put on by the WSU guys are fantastic, but the real star of Re-O (or any week, to be honest) was the presence of some truly adorable doggos on campus. Hopefully, you gave them a wee cuddle, became convinced to adopt your own, and are coping okay with the fact that the campus will feel like a hollow, lonely place until puppers return later in the semester.
Clickbait Moodboard: Theme: Confronting rumours about yourself.
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What’s Hot: •
Already missing 5 lectures by week 2
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Being possessed by the wumpy thumpy bass of deep house music
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The big dramas on Love Island #loyal
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Bacon and eggs
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Premature “England - World Cup Winners 2018” tattoos
What’s Not: •
Banning laptops in class like we’re in the 1800s
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It’s coming home
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Having to back down on every bad thing you said about Love Island because that shit is DECENT
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Wireless headphones running out of battery at work and exposing the top 40 trash that you’re listening to
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MKTG352
TOP 10:
Titles for University-Related Erotica Report: “It’s Not Even That Cold”
Masculinity has reached record highs after an unprecedented spike in the popularity of shorts in winter. The aptly named “Warmth Adjacent” have stated that ‘it’s really not that bad’, leaving medical professionals baffled by their inability to experience low temperatures.
Impulsive Second Years Can’t Wait to Abandon Freshly Adopted Pet
Regardless of their poor living conditions, yet another group of flatmates have made the flawless decision to capture a neighbourhood stray. After skipping over important questions such as whether or not it’s a good idea, the group jumped straight to ‘what should we name it?’
With entries for our Erotica Competition about to close, we thought it’d be an ideal opportunity to springboard a few ideas for some campus centric romance. 1. Screwing More than Just the Crew: being in the halls can get tough. Luckily, RAs are there to lend a hand. 2. Sexy Blonde Solo Library Session: stress relief between the stacks. 3. Desperate & Deprived: a seemingly-endless dry spell leads to another night of steamy attention seeking on Tinder. 4. “Just the Usual?”: with a questionably caffeinated plunge, one lucky customer learns the full extent of Momento’s customer service. 5. Don’t Take the Stairs, Take Me Instead: a jammed elevator leaves two strangers suspended in a moment of passion. 6. Dongos: sushi that satisfies. 7. PW let me C: being brought up in a small town left a lot to the imagination, but one lecturer wants to make this student’s fantasies a reality. 8. BIOL123-18B: Introduce your Anatomy – lab coats won’t be necessary. 9. The Doctor Will See You Now: A severe case of burning loins leaves a prescription in high demand. 10. Drop the Towel: Post-game celebrations always start in the changing rooms.
Uber Driver Confirms Once Again That Their Night Has Indeed Been Busy
‘Yeah, it’s been good, mate. You have a big night, ay?’ After powering through the initial formalities, both the passengers and driver struggle to keep pace with the conversation. ‘So, have you been watching the cricket?’ 11
Reviews
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Bunkbed
A Boy and His Dog
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BUNKBED – THE NIGHT CAFÉ REVIEW: ARCHIE PORTER
A BOY AND HIS DOG – BY HARLAN ELLISON REVIEW: SCOTT CARROLL
Bunkbed is the brand-spanking new EP from Liverpool’s The Night Café. Comprised of the two previously released singles, ‘Felicity’ and ‘Turn’, as well as two new tracks ‘I’m Fine’ and ‘Forget It All’, the EP is a brief and concise collection of loud indie-rock tunes. Unlike the bands upbeat and poppy earlier releases, such as 2017’s Get Away From The Feeling, Bunkbed appears to be a somewhat darker departure – though, in the end, it still comes off as your typical, run-ofthe-mill indie music. Kicking things off with ‘Felicity’, Bunkbed starts relatively well with the track’s glaring guitars, solid melody, and strong momentum. As an opener, the song grabs the listener and pulls you in as one would expect; at times, almost sounding reminiscent of My Bloody Valentine. The second track, ‘Turn’, follows almost the exact same structure as the previous, and subsequently ends up sounding indifferent. From here on, the EP essentially ends up sounding like a dull imitation of Circa Waves, or Neon Waltz, for instance – but without the immediate catchiness of the former, or the diversity of the latter. Though the EP only lasts a brief 13 minutes, it quickly becomes boring due to its lack of innovation or anything unique. All in all, Bunkbed sounds the same as most indie-rock you’d hear on the market nowadays: a hot mess of loud, blaring guitars, overbearing percussion, cringey lyrics, and irritatingly accentuated vocals.
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Harlan Ellison died recently. There’s not enough to say about the man that would fit into this section, all I will say is: look at his YouTube channel and try his short-fiction, it’s fantastic. A Boy and His Dog is one of Ellison’s most famous short stories, a controversial piece in its day, but enticing in its skewed perspective of companionship and the unbreakable bonds between man and animal. It’s savage and unforgiving in its portrayal of a postapocalyptic mindset that remains second nature to the protagonist, and the adversaries that cross his path throughout their journey. Vic is not a good person, he’s as much an animal as his telepathic canine sidekick, Blood; the two are a product of their environment, like Alex in A Clockwork Orange, or Psycho’s Norman Bates, they commit to atrocities with the same nonchalance one would have in doing their laundry or going out for a coffee. As is consistent with Ellison’s uncompromising nature, he portrays a stark, brutal, and disturbing character in Vic, who displays an amicable personality in between his horrific acts of violence, rape and pillage. Ellison created what could only be described as a deliciously grotesque atmosphere to A Boy and His Dog, somehow managing to inject an idealised atomic age attitude into a distressing setting, and playing the two elements off against each other. Seriously, the ending is just perfect.
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Album PUPPY LOVE – MOM JEANS. Bunch of dudes with shit coping mechanisms complain about getting dumped. Kinda slaps.
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LUNCHTIME CONCERT – UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO REVIEW: CORNELIUS LUGTIG
For those who are unaware, the University hosts classical music concerts with performances from students each week from 1 - 2 pm on Wednesdays. Regardless of personal taste, it is very easy to appreciate the shit tonne of work that is put into these performances. The concert had a program of eight performances spanned out over the hour and an array of pieces from various genres such as baroque, impressionism, 20thcentury folk and contemporary Broadway featuring various instruments. Because of the fast pace and varied program, it ends up being a bloody good show that doesn’t get boring. There was high attention to the quality of sound, resonance, timbre, and melodic phrasing in all the performances. The only fault was stressing the melodic line in some of the performances – but it was still a world-class performance. These concerts are a seriously good opportunity to have a cheeky ‘treat yo self’ with your mates, and to appreciate both the culture and hard work put into these performances. This year also marks 50 years of performances at the University of Waikato, so why not attend a concert or two?
Single 1999 WILDFIRE – BROCKHAMPTON Bearface outshines the rest of the group to the point where the remainder of the track is a little average.
Playlist WE BE VIBIN’ – SPOTIFY Wowee! What a vibe!! Cool :)
EP HATE MUSIC LAST TIME DELETE – HMLTD Jeffree Star ghost wrote this, surely.
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Talk Shit w. Maddy Pit New episodes on soundcloud.com/nexusmag
PSYCH203-18B Brain, Cognition and Development The lilting tunes of the professor’s German accent kicked the hour off to a good start. Yes, I did actually last an hour this time. What is it about certain foreign accents which make lengthy monologues sound more interesting, or make psychologists sound more believable? I have no clue, but it’s totally true (should’ve asked the psychologists, in hindsight). The lecture was about psychological development from infancy; complete with videos of cute babies, photos of cute babies, and content about cute things babies do. So, the quintessential crowd of basic white girls that form the majority of psychology classes were, naturally, enthralled. To be fair, I felt a little biased from the get-go since I’d had the lecturer once before and liked her stuff. It’s all to do with the changes in perception, brain stuff, language stuff, and problem-solving stuff. All the stuff that happens between womb life and magical young adults we are today. There’s a lot of psych content which I find pretty boring but something about this topic hits a note with me—probably because humans like learning about human things, y’know? Honestly, I was a little too absorbed with trying to eat sushi gracefully—and failing—to give you a fully comprehensive play-by-play of the lecture. Most of the facts are reasonably common knowledge – like how babies prefer to stare at visually attractive faces over uglier faces because we’re all innately superficial pricks. Also, we all need to have a serious word with our parents and question them on why they didn’t try to teach us every known language on the planet straight out of the hospital, since it’s a fact that babies come with a plastic brain that can absorb pretty much anything you decide to teach them. Seriously, mum and dad? You couldn’t have spared the effort to play me Spanish tapes for months on end in the knowing preparation that one day I could use fluent bilingualism to have a sick OE? Anyway, this is a relatively positive review from me for some relatable, easy-swallowing info. But the subject is psych – so really, what would anyone expect? For it to actually be difficult to understand or something?
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Splashing Cash This is the ultimate debate you have with yourself, like when you’re deciding whether or not to book that trip you really want to go on but most definitely do not have enough money for, or when you have all those tempting items sitting in your cart and learn to appreciate the true nature of internal conflict. Basically, on any given day, you can try to talk yourself into one of the two sides – so I’m here to play devil’s advocate and encourage you to give in to your burning desires. Life’s short, YOLO, experiences are greater than material possessions, etc. Tell me this: do you really want to reach 45, trudging through your loans, dealing with your bratty children, and realise that all those years of scrimping and saving as a student did you a fat lot of good? Knowing that no matter how far ahead you think you’re getting, there’s always a broken-down car or a laundry machine needing repair that’ll constantly set you back? Satisfaction with wealth is an illusion; money is a social construct. No matter how much you get, you’ll never feel like you have enough, so you may as well just stop worrying so much about it altogether. Instead of possibly 16
pining over these years, regretting the opportunities you missed and wishing you had just let loose and invested more into enriching your life experiences (while you were still young, hot, energetic and before that shoulder gave out), I say the best possible solution is to exhale a big “fuck it” and live it up while you have relative freedom to do so. Your older self will thank you for it, with all the great memories you’ll have from memorable nights spent on the piss, wearing those truly awesome kicks, or sneaking away to Aussie with some good mates. At the end of the day, we’re all riding up shit creek with crappy (loaned) paddles together – if you get my metaphor. Sure, being financially responsible will make it easier for you in five or ten years, but you only get to be young once. The ages of 18-25 are arguably the freest time of your life—so soak it up. Don’t waste them being too strict on yourself, for crying out loud. Live in the moment my dudes – if that means only have $2 in your account after the weekend, well, at least you can rest assured you aren’t alone.
Being Financially Responsible Our lives as students are often summarised through stereotypes: we’re all absolutely written off 24/7; that we never go to class or study; that we’re lazy and contribute nothing to society; and that we’re financially irresponsible. It’s a never-ending tirade from older and superior generations. While there may be some truth in these statements when it comes to the assorted few of you and your lifestyle choices, us Millenials and Gen Z kids have a lot riding on these formative years of ours. We’ve got to make the most of these low expectations, and learn how to be functioning grownups before being given the boot from our label as children to proper adults. The financial security of our future is uncertain at best – unless you’re guaranteed a senior position at Dad’s HR firm as a fresh grad. In fact, for many of us, employment options can seem hazy at best – here’s to you, arts kids! Fingers crossed! But this experimental time of our lives can be used for good! Let’s learn how to budget while it’s still acceptable to be fucking clueless so that we don’t have to be those people that all the competent adults make fun of.
For some of you, being financially responsible only requires one small lifestyle change – such as letting go of your inbuilt, middle-class family shopping habits. You could also accept the cost benefits of switching to cheap student alcohol instead of drinking flash booze – it might even make you look like less of a dick too. Spending less and saving more doesn’t mean you’re going to have a shit time. Instead, make smarter and more economical decisions! For example, next time you’re at a party, why not just steal drinks from your mates? After they’ve had a couple, they won’t even notice a few brews have gone astray, and then you can pounce and steal the whole lot, before congratulating them on polishing off a full box by themselves. Another super saving trick is to sponge off your flatmates. Their food, their toothpaste and other bathroom supplies, their makeup; endless options! We may be young and dumb, but we don’t have to be broke. Being strapped for cash is no fun, and at the end of the day, you can’t claim superiority over your friends if your bank balance is in the negatives. 17
Feel Good JACQUI SWNEY This week’s playlist is comprised of some of the most feel-good indie tunes I’ve encountered in the last few months. Granted, I ran to my sister for recommendations. She lives in a small beach town where everyone drives fuel efficient cars or old VW’s and frequently participates in the “hammocking club” which is comprised of people who literally just meet up to chill in hammocks. Long story short, I’ve been exposed to nothing but dubstep and songs which make your brains bleed for a while now. I needed some outside advice so if you hate them, send your criticism via quirky postcards, that’s her favourite mode of communication, cheers xx 1. ‘HUNNYBEE’ BY UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA:
Found on the most recent album Sex & Food, the opening riff of Hunnybee is unforgettable. It’s groovy and sounds like a spring afternoon. It immediately hooks you by throwing you into a field of daisies, butterflies and good vibes. The seemingly endless groove overshadows the darker undertone of the lyrics. The song is repetitive and seems like it’ll never actually stop until it comes to a very abrupt end, leaving me begging for more. Guaranteed one listen, and it won’t leave your head for a week. 2.
‘IT’S
CALLED:
FREEFALL’
BY RAINBOW
KITTEN
As I’ve stated before, the RaWr XD first impression that a name like Rainbow Kitten Surprise may seem to leave on potential listeners is their only SURPRISE:
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real downfall (and to be quite honest, I quite enjoy the name). This song is an anthem about chucking all your cares to the wind and falling into the unknown easiness of your fate. RKS has a common theme of embracing the devil, and I think they have good insight into the nature of man. These guys encourage you to do all the drugs your little heart desires and enjoy it while you can because death is inevitable. For further evidence to prove my theory, I will refer you to their other songs: ‘Devil Like Me’ and ‘Cobain Jesus’. 3. ‘ASTROVAN’ BY MOUNT JOY: Upon hearing this song, I was immediately transported to a place that I couldn’t put my finger on; convinced that I’d heard it before. At first, I thought perhaps it was a cover of some Beatles or Elton John song. It is reminiscent of another time and that’s what makes it magical. After doing substantial research, I realised that it is not, in fact, a cover but its own original masterpiece. Give it a listen. 4. ‘FACING WEST’ BY THE STAVES: This elegant and straightforward tune is the purest thing your dubstep-infected ears will listen to in your life. The vocals are so clear; they sound like frickin’ angels. The ukulele perfectly compliments this sister-trio as they harmonise like absolute legends. These baddies sing like the sirens coming from the depths of the ocean to lure sailor unknowingly to their deaths (in a good way I promise).
Tuesday KIM SARE Tuesday means only one thing: we are well into a new week, which brings with it more classes, more assignments, and fewer episodes of our latest TV show to binge watch. Of course, often Mondays are a drag and despised by many, as it means we’re expected to leave the comfort of home and participate in the community outside our door. Super hard, I know. But the arrival of Tuesday means we have survived that torturous first day of the week! So why not make the most of it with a little self-love and care? Start the day off with some relaxing morning yoga and meditation. Early morning stretches have been shown to regulate sleep, hormones, and metabolism; the three most unregulated aspects of in the life of a uni student. Get in touch with your spiritual side and unwind for just a mo, it might help you out by releasing some tension. Besides, who wants to start studying super early in the morning? You may be awake physically, but emotionally, you’re probably still under the covers getting your beauty sleep. Get the energy flowing by increasing your flexibility and releasing some endorphins, and you’ll be sure to ace all your assignments in no time. Healthy body; healthy mind, amirite? Once you’re all bright eyed and bushy tailed, it’s time to venture outside and explore the bustling Hamilton metropolis. Believe it or not, there are some hidden gems around the place, though they can seem few and far between. Find a new place for you to go and loosen up, and get out of your room for a while.
It might seem unlikely, but there is more to life than what can be found in Hamilton East – shocker! What better way to end your Tuesday than gathering up some friends and making half-assed, excessively Westernised versions of Mexican food? That’s right, Taco Tuesday is 100% a thing, and is one way you can make your Tuesday less dire. Weekly catch-ups with friends give you something to look forward to and can be a saving grace when busy schedules mean finding time to see each other becomes a struggle. Think of it as a mates date night, and use it to actually cook some food for once and maintain your relationship, before your lack of effort causes you some extended loneliness. Uni, relationships, nutrition, and money can cause us youngins to get a bit frazzled, but maybe a TLC Tuesday is all you need. I mean, nothing ever happens on a Tuesday, but at least it’s not a Monday. So, as cheesy as it is, make sure to realise how important it is to take time for yourself and do little things that make you happy. Don’t completely destroy yourself with all work and no play. In the iconic words of Elle Woods, happy people just don’t kill, so take care of yourself and lessen your chances of ending up in jail.
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Jan Nigro PETER DORNAUF The nude in art has had a long history; beginning with the Greeks (the body beautiful) and stretching right up and into the present. Two and a half thousand years. But, it is a contested history. Christianity killed the nude in art until the Renaissance. It might come as a surprise to learn that Michelangelo’s famous statue of David was one of the first sculptural nudes to make an appearance since Hellenistic times. But his Sistine Chapel nudes didn’t go down too well with the Pope who had the naughty bits painted over hardly after the corpse of Michelangelo was cold in the grave. Fast forward to the twentieth century, and it’s all on; full frontal nudity, pubic hair, not a fig leaf in sight. The conventional ploy of using classical narratives as justification to paint the nude was quickly ditched. Funnily enough, most of this artistic nudity involved the portrayal of women baring all. And most of the artists were men. It took the feminists in the 1980s to point this out and to underline the social and political implications involved. They came up with the catchphrase “the male gaze” to describe the problematic nature of what was going on here. The patriarchy was to blame. Which brings me to the current exhibition showing at the Waikato Museum, a retrospective of the works of New Zealand artist Jan Nigro, who worked predominately in the nude genre. 22
Being a female artist, the dynamic changes somewhat and the politically-loaded charge of the male gaze no longer applies. What is more, her “gaze” was not exclusively on the female form but also included the male, which was unusual for the time—in New Zealand art circles at least. The time was the 1950s and ‘60s; the age of liberation and the sexual revolution. Nigro continued to explore the nude theme for the rest of her life – up until a year before she died in 2012. Perhaps overtaken by changing fashions and political sensibilities, she is somewhat overlooked in the history of New Zealand art. Others in the ‘80s and ‘90s were constructing the female nude in ways that challenged the conventions of the past. But Nigro’s Waikato Museum show, ‘Out of the Bedroom and into the Lounge’, may help to see her reputation flower. The exhibition reveals the extent of her oeuvre and her command of form, line and colour. Someone like Degas, I’m sure, would concur.
Knees Weak, Arms are Heavy CAMERON MCROBIE We’ve all experienced that unbearable gym bunny grooving away in front of the mirror wearing their noise-cancelling headphones and thought ‘uhh, do ya mind, mate?’ Whether you buy into it or not, listening to music while exercising has become increasingly popular with the evolution and shrinkage of technology, and surprisingly enough, boasts some actual benefit in increasing your athletic potential, all while allowing you to look sick as fuck rocking those new wireless earpods. Someone relatively credible once said ‘you can’t overdose on music’ or something of that nature. This comparison of music to a drug alludes to the potential performance increases an athlete may encounter if listening to the appropriate bangers for their given code. For years, the concept of music being an integral part of sport was toyed with. Given that the primary elements of sport were fatigue and pain, music served to distract the mind from physical pain caused by any activity. Anyone who’s tried running with a consistent 160bpm will be able to attest to the fact that when you’ve been listening to Green Day circa 2003, trying to figure out who St. Jimmy really is, you ain’t got time to notice that bitter lactic acid seeping down into ya pins. This phenomenon is loosely attributed to dissociation, which is music’s ability to trigger positive emotions and decrease
the perception of negative emotions so you can continue to ‘Pump It’ (louder) – this typically works best in low to medium intensity exercise. Synchronisation is the term used for matching the cadence of a particular cardiovascular exercise – like cycling, running or rowing – with the beat of music. Research has found that 7% less oxygen is used when listening to synchronous music than asynchronous (waaay outta time) music for the same exercise. So whether it’s T-Swift, Jimmy Eat World or Eminem you like to jam, find an appropriate tempo for your playlist and shoot the works! Usually 160-170bpm for typical runners. Activation of emotions is another sweet application for music in sport and exercise. Much like a hearty pretown mini rave to get everyone hyped up and in the mood, fast tempo and loud intensity tunes work to increase excitement and arousal levels, keepin’ ya ‘Hungry Like the Wolf’, whereas slower tempo is more calm and relaxing. In this instance, more elite athletes, in particular, can often be found dabbling in some Cat Stevens to calm their nerves pre-event. Whether you’re a casual lifter, runner, rower or weekend warrior on ya bike – or would prefer to walk ‘500 Miles’ and compete in Le Tour De France, listening to the appropriate music in training (or even competition) can seriously improve your performance. 23
MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK:
NURSES, ESPORTS, AND OUTDOOR RECREATION
Earlier this year, the University of Waikato (UoW) and the Waikato Students’ Union (WSU) asked: “are students getting the services they want out of the Student Services Levy (SSL)?” With over 1000 students taking part in the survey, the response was almost unanimously in favour of the adjustment. The caveat was that students want to be more informed about what the money would go towards and create mechanisms to ensure their voices were being heard at the highest level. Students also suggested a number of different areas they felt some investment was needed. As
a result, consultation groups like Reo Tauira and Conversation Station were established to ensure students knew what was going on. The WSU also featured lengthy information about it on wsu.org.nz, giving it a section of its own. This article examines the process that was undertaken, some of the initiatives that we think are wins for students, along with what the next phase of the conversation includes.
Process:
In 2017, it became apparent that students wanted more, our SSL was considerably lower than that of other Universities, and that the services that were being provided to students were obviously lesser as a result. The University engaged the WSU to help ensure that students had a stronger voice in the process and that ultimately led to to the establishment of the Student Services Governance Committee (SSGC). ‘The SSGC is comprised of four members from the WSU, and another four from the University which includes Vice-Chancellor Neil Quigley, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Alister Jones, CFO Andrew McKinnon, and Director of Student Services Mike Calvert. It’s a high-level committee which means the senior leaders of the University are hearing your views and voices.’ said WSU President Candra Pullon The committee meets four times a year to discuss the service needs of the coming year, as well as new initiatives. The UoW and WSU, having both carried out pretty comprehensive surveys and research into what students need right away, met on several occasions to discuss initiatives which resulted in a fairly inclusive list. ‘We want to stress that this is “year one” of a process. We’re pretty happy with what we’ve delivered, but we want students to be constantly engaging and talking to us; that way, when the SSGC meets, we know what the students actually want. To help make
this easier, we’ve set up a page on wsu.org.nz where you can make your voice heard.’ ‘We also understand that no two students want the same thing. Regardless, we’re pretty happy that we’ve got a wide range of variety that students will enjoy; ranging from mental health counselling through to eSports.’ Nexus understands that this committee reallocated over $200,000 of capital expenditure, which included Health Centre improvements and the resurfacing of the courts in UniRec. ‘We saw spending for the UniRec and the Health Centre as great projects, but projects we felt should be allocated to the Universities Facilities Management Division, and not a direct result of student spending.’ Director of Student Services Mike Calvert told Nexus: ‘It’s not very often that you get an opportunity like this, so we’re excited to work with WSU in presenting these new initiatives which respond to the feedback students have offered. We think they present a good mix – addressing wellbeing concerns but also helping to create a better environment and improving the experience for students on both campuses.’ We don’t know all the details of what is coming, but we were privy to a few of the ones that the WSU couldn’t keep quiet due to the thin walls in the office. So we thought we would give you our list of the shit we found out and our take on whether it will actually work.
A better orientation •
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What does this include: As everyone becomes more interconnected, students are more aware of the orientation events being held at other universities – as a result there’s greater competition for Student Unions and universities to provide bigger, more engaging events. While we’re proud of what we do, one of the major points students asked for is a better orientation programme, so we’ve allocated a substantial amount of funding to make this happen. This adjustment to the SSL will allow us to book bigger acts, host better events, giveaway bigger prizes, and provide a more engaging Orientation Week – for both Waikato and Tauranga students.
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The Nexus take: Waikato orientation weeks have a tendency to flop. Hullabaloo back in 2015 was an absolute pisstake, and the shitfest of ORI2016— featuring Max Key and Stan Walker, would’ve been just as subpar without the estimated $40,000 worth of infrastructure it used. In saying that, the day events held by the WSU are some of the best in the country; it’s more the evening/night events that struggle to compete with the ease at which students can jump between house parties. Hopefully, this increase in funding will allow for the day program to continue to flourish, and maybe start a series of evening events which are either competitive with house parties, or appeal to a completely different demographic.
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Hiring a nurse (Tauranga) and Health Promotion Nurse (Waikato) •
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What does this include: For a number of years, students have asked for a better Student Health Centre experience. As a result, we’re investing in nurses for both the Waikato and Tauranga campus to proactively help students. Nurses will engage with students outside of the health centre – identifying and addressing student health needs reported by students and student groups in more accessible ways.
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The Nexus take: Much like the Violence Prevention Coordinator, there’s no criticism here. This is another service which would be very beneficial to both the Waikato and Tauranga campuses.
eSports development •
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What does this include: This is the development of the culture of eSports on campus, with an overall focus on wellbeing. From the establishment of dedicated eSports spaces, through to the potential introduction of related scholarships, employment of a coordinator, and initiation of tournament events. While this is still very much in its initial phases, it’s an exciting opportunity for the University and WSU to be at the forefront of.
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The Nexus take: There’s no doubt a lot of people won’t be too stoked knowing part of their SSL is funding eSports. While that is definitely a valid response, it doesn’t mean this initiative shouldn’t go ahead. eSports is a massive industry which isn’t being fully recognised by universities throughout the country, if Waikato is able to get involved early enough, it’ll be a great asset.
Outdoor Sports and Recreation equipment •
What does this include: From the complete revamp of the running track surrounding the University fields, to the construction of permanent recreational structures across campus, this initiative also includes potential for outdoor basketball hoops, volleyball nets, and updated structures and equipment for bodyweight exercises on the outdoor track.
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The Nexus take: Safety should needs to be a top priority for this initiative. While it’d be great to have a fancy new running track, it’d be a whole lot better to have a running track which is well lit and built to keep its users safe. However, as this is still in early phases, it’s hard to tell what the final product will include.
Career, EPP, and E-Learning modules •
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What does this include: Re-working the Employability Plus Programme and adding more practical e-learning modules like practice interviews, CV writing, and cocurricular skills to ensure that students will be better equipped to meet the demands of the workforce.
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The Nexus take: Barely anyone has a solid idea of what they’re doing after graduation, so hopefully, improvement to these services could result in more students knowing what industries they’re suited to and having a somewhat solid plan of how to enter them.
Violence Prevention Coordinator and outreach programme •
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•
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What does this include: Sexual violence is a problem on university campuses, with 53% of female students in a recent NZUSA students reporting being a victim of sexual assault while enrolled in secondary or tertiary studies in New Zealand. New Zealand has been reported to have the highest rate of family violence in the developed world. The Violence Prevention Coordinator will consult and collaborate with individuals and groups, both on and off campus, who provide alcohol education, campus safety, bystander intervention training, sexual violence, and sexual harassment prevention education. The coordinator will implement and/or modify and evaluate programs that have shown success at other institutions such as Mates and Dates, Sexual Assault Resistance Education, Consent Matters, the Green Dot Bystander Intervention program or other initiatives that have shown to be effective in changing attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to provide a safer environment for the campus community.
Consultation
The next step for the SSGC is a second round of consultation. We understand this will include a series of posters releasing information on all the new initiatives, brochures, and a new section of the HUB devoted to what students are getting in 2019. The WSU will also be reinstituting its conversation station and asking for you to get in touch if you would rather express your opinions via email.They will then take all that feedback on board and make some tweaks but should be able to begin delivery on a decent amount of this from day one.
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The Nexus take: There’s nothing to criticise here. This is an initiative which would be of great benefit to the University, and something which we’re excited to see implemented.
Final Thoughts
The University and the WSU have a mildly chequered past. For every great thing they do, like the WSU Free Bus from town, there is a Hullabaloo. These are the people that drove McDonald’s off campus and welcomed Max Key DJ/MC on it. And yet, even with that, in the back of our minds, we seem to be getting more and more optimistic. A few weeks ago, we wrote about how the Pā was seemingly becoming less of a meme as each day passed and that there may be genuine hope coming back on to campus. This seems like another sign of that hope. Not everything is going to be for everyone, but it never is.
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Teenage Crybaby: Soul-Punk Band Contenders are Discussed in this Article JARED IPSEN Contenders are the coolest fucking band in Hamilton right now. Surfy, raw soul-punk with catchy vocal riffs – you can almost taste the cheap beer and cigarette smoke within the first ten seconds of their track, ‘Good To Be You’. And if you’ve been to any number of half decent shows this year, you’ve probably seen them play their Dead Kennedys, and Adolescents inspired rock’n’roll. From the space between the release of their 2016 demo to the recent REACT EP, they seem to be shifting from their early, angular post-punk sound to a more melodic, hook-laden approach to punk music. The recording of their latest effort matches the music perfectly, with the instruments fighting for space and bleeding into each other while Cilla sings her often sarcastic, sometimes scathing lyrics over top. A frantic five-piece with fuzzy guitars and pounding drums, Contenders fit in with the hardcore Hamtown Smakdown lineup just as seamlessly as an indie punk gig at Nivara. With the small size of our musical community here, being able to play with and accommodate for bands over a variety of genres is essential for our survival. ‘My favourite thing about the scene here is how much room there is for people to grow and develop as artists,’ vocalist Cilla says. ‘There isn’t a massive amount of bands out playing gigs a lot, so it’s easy for fresh bands to jump on a bill. Also, just the fact that there even is 28
an underground music scene in Hamilton is so choice. I have always loved going out to live gigs; it’s a great way to connect and meet like-minded people.’ That’s the beauty of going to see live music – spending a night in a room full of these “like-minded” people, all coming together to celebrate and enjoy the art their friends and peers make. And here in our city, we seem to have a great, supportive little community that welcomes new sounds and new experiences. We already have dope shows with great talent here – we just need more awareness of the gigs happening, and more inclusive environments for those that do choose to attend. Making shows better isn’t just for venue owners or promoters to do; we all play an important part in the growth of our scene. ‘People should feel safe and feel that they’re always able to have a rad time in public spaces. I think it’s about looking out for one another,’ says Cilla. ‘If someone’s being a dick and shoving people, or knocks into someone, help to make shows a safer place and tell the host/venue owner about it. Everyone contributes to building communities/ scenes into good things.’
Fabrics ‘n’ Films KAITLIN STEWART As a born and bred Screen and Media major, something has occurred to me. Why have I not, at this point in my Rad Rags career, incorporated that immense knowledge into my column? Films oft rely on costuming to explain aspects of the story to its viewers. Not only does time concern the physical garment but colour, tone and target audience. I’m sure we can all agree, no matter how eccentric, intricate or sexy the costumes appear, there’s no substitute for a decent storyline (Marvel movies...hmm). Kicking off this very detailed, educated list made by yours truly, we have Neon Demon. Released in 2016, this psychological horror hits slightly off the mark. But besides the dull storyline, the costumes are beautiful. Set in the industry of high fashion, various models face personal insecurities as the “new girl” rises to fame. However, trying to explain how the outfits resemble their emotions is akin to describing what the colour red looks like. We have outfits promoting youth, uncertainty and sex. And what sells more than sex appeal? A “feel good” released in 2016, Captain Fantastic is, ironically, a deeply depressing film based on a family living outside of society. I’m an androgynous promoting, no gender specifics, wear whatever the fuck you want type of gal, so the costume design in this film really struck a chord with me. Each of the five children have incredibly distinct styles; each reflecting prominent aspects of their personalities. In a specific scene, the entire family arrive at the mother’s funeral. In this mix of eccentric outfits, we have a vibrant salmon suit, crochet dresses, a onesie and the most iconic, a gas mask. Every outfit reflects their personal feelings towards their mother’s passing, as opposed to conforming to a conventional funeral dress code. Inherent Vice is a period piece released in 2014. Each character has a distinct style, allowing the viewer to follow the plot better as the film progresses. From the purple felt suit, right down to the striped flared pants, the costumes in this film accurately reflect the remarkable ‘70s vibe. Not only does it replicate the era but also the type of closet I dream of obtaining. To leave a lasting impression on the viewer once over, the costume in a film must be iconic. A prime example is Leon: The Professional. Young Natalie Portman’s look is replicated at every Halloween party you’ll ever go too, so I’m positive you’ll recognise it without even knowing the film. Bob haircut, choker and a bomber jacket. An absolute look, served by a 12-year-old. It’s time to step up your games, kids. 29
WSU in Numbers Disorientation Week 2018 180 kilograms
800 bottles
200 smores
357
$1197 spent
60 litres
54 clubs
800
4 Food Trucks
36 churros
400 Cookie Time
700+ slices
20 kilograms
68 volunteers
20 hours
of BurgerFuel Fries given away to hungry students
cheese toasties were consumed
came out for clubs day, chatting to students and boosting memberships
were scoffed by the WSU Team
of cheese purchased throughout the week 30
of Tararua Chocolate Milk were drunk
on prizes, including a 40-inch TV, a UE Boom Speaker, Wireless Earphones, a Chromecast and a Fitbit Versa
ham and coleslaw buns smashed by drunk students in the late hours of the night
cookies were used to make WSU’s infamous smores
came down, and made everything possible
warmed the hearts of more than a fair few students
of soup made by the WSU team and eaten by you
popped in and joined the festivities at Level Zero
of bread used to make toasties
spent driving students to and from town, with one bus and four vans
Camp Quality is a volunteer charity that brings joy to children who are living with or have lived with cancer. We sat down with Summer Camp Manager Bryce Jamieson to get the lowdown on this wholesome opportunity. What exactly is Camp Quality? Camp Quality is a not for profit, volunteer charity dedicated to bringing fun, hope and happiness to children ages 5-16 that are living with or have lived with cancer. Basically, we run camps for children who have lived with cancer to provide quality experiences to help enrich their lives. Cancer does not discriminate, so there is no cost for families to send their children, or Campers (as we call them), to camp. Nor is there any cost to any volunteers, apart from their time. The Campers are buddied up (1:1) with an 18+ volunteer Companion, whose sole job during the camp is to ensure that their Camper has a fantastic time. Our programmes provide a stress-free and caring environment for the children where fun and friendship are combined with achievable challenges – allowing the children to “just be kids”. They get a sense of normality and independence and focus on the positive aspects of their lives. Through Camp Quality, families also get a much-needed break and the opportunity to spend time with other siblings while their child is at camp. They do so with the assurance that Camp Quality has the finest programmes, staff, Companions, medical care, and safety procedures in place. NEXUS: This sounds like a brilliant idea – how did the concept come about? BJ: A woman called Vera Entwistle was speaking to a doctor who made the comment [that] “no one can do anything about the quantity of anyone’s life, but all of us can do something for the quality.” The first camp was run in Auckland in 1985 with 22 NEXUS: BJ:
children. Since then, we have grown to five separate regions catering to over 300 children yearly. NEXUS: How could Waikato students get involved? BJ: The easiest and most rewarding way would be to become a Companion. NEXUS: What is the experience at camp like, both for the kids and for volunteers? BJ: It has been (and still is) the most rewarding experience in my life, hence being involved for the past six years now. Seeing some of the younger Campers get involved and overcome some huge challenges, then smile and give you that look of achievement after, it really does gives you some warm fuzzies. The week is packed with exciting things, from high adrenaline experiences to chilling out and taking in the environment. This means everyone manages to bond and we become one big family where everyone knows each other’s names and provides encouragement and support. For a lot of the children (and volunteers), it quickly becomes top of their list of things to look forward to during the year—it sure has for me. NEXUS: How do you think Camp Quality has impacted the lives of these children? BJ: In the absolute best way possible! Campers are allowed to attend camps every year until they are 16. This means that they develop life-long friendships and support networks. Many Campers also return at a later age as a Companion themselves encouraged to help give others the great experience they were able to have. Camp Quality is really another family for our Campers.
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While some would say that first impressions speak volumes of one’s character, others would argue its spending habits that show true colours. Our very own financial prodigy Nicola Smith has crafted a foolproof guide to distinguish the true depths of your personality. Upon signing up for another year of student debt, you read the statement “Course-related costs... can borrow up to $1,000 every year for course related expenses.” Do you: 1. Take it out later on in the year if there’s something justifiable. 2. Ignore it – you don’t need any extra cash. 3. Consider it as just more money you’ll have to pay back. 4. Disregard consequence, take the lot out and live a little boujee. 5. Lock in a part-time job instead. Orientation Week is coming up – what is your money going towards? 1. Just the essentials like food, power, rent... but a treat doesn’t go astray. 2. CUTE new outfits for uni—my life is a runway. 3. What’s Orientation Week? 4. Alcohol, costumes and Uber. This is why you came to university. 5. Fuel for the extra shifts you’ve picked up. You’ve been offered a job overseas. It’s an amazing opportunity but there’s a lot to consider. What is your biggest deciding factor? 1. This could be a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’ve got nothing to lose. 2. Not seeing my family for an extended period of time would be rough. 3. Is the interest gained on a loan worthwhile when I could just get a job here with no interest? 4. There’s bound to be fresh meat overseas. Lock it in! 5. Travel would be a whole lot cheaper; I could explore the world without breaking the bank.
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1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
What is the biggest monetary stress in your life? Weekly expenses; getting from pay to pay while still enjoying myself. Others not being able to keep up. If I want something, I’ll get it. Paying back my Student Loan. What to spend money on next! Not having enough to show for the work you put in. My goals about my personal money are to: Cover the necessities, while allowing myself that ‘Avocado on Toast’ at brunch with the squad. Actually, I’ve never really had to think about money—let alone GOALS? Put a deposit down on a house by 25. Make as much as possible, as quickly as possible. Comfortably make it from week to week.
There’s a new device out that you can’t wait to get your paws on, but how will you pay? 1. Layby. Let’s gradually pay it off. 2. Credit card. 3. I’d wait for a sale, or for the price to drop once a newer model is released. 4. Sell an organ—whatever it took. 5. Use this as a goal to save for.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
How do you afford your student lifestyle? Primarily Student Allowance/Student Loan. Parent’s help out occasionally. Not my problem! AKA full parental funding. Student Loan, investment of money, savings, and a job. Chuck it all on loan and worry about it later. Working part-time—I try to live out of my own pocket as much as possible.
1. Millennial
2. Daddy’s Favourite
3. Stinge
4. The Generic Middle-Class
5. Worker Bee
Or, Flip Flopper
Being a student can be hard, but you shouldn’t feel guilty for treating yourself to a coffee. You’re young, opportunistic, and deserve to enjoy yourself. No questions asked – if you’ve got the money, just go for gold, sis! This is the age to be a bit selfish, make the most of the time you’ve got and ignore that pesky loan. It’s interestfree for a reason, hun. You’ll deal with it when the time comes.
Quite a passive spender; an excellent quality when matched with a high influx of cash. You live with the constant threat of losing a lot of money through a range of endeavours – most of which will either blatantly fail, or not satisfy your needs quite as you’d hoped. Being carefree with your money is fine, but sooner or later, you’ll need to start thinking before you swipe.
How did it feel being born with a silver spoon in your mouth? I guess growing up in the Mount must’ve been amazing though! It’s advised to pay extra attention in your finance classes; there’s probably a few things you could pick up about the value of money. It’s great to throw around until you bottom out your overdraft. Don’t forget to give Daddy a call on Father’s Day; it’d be a shame if you got cut out of the family will x
The absolute time management queen! It’s difficult balancing work, study, and maintaining somewhat of a social life, but you’re doing just fine. It’s a great skill to have at such a young age; not having any major commitments allows you to make mistakes and be a little more careless with money. Just make sure to still allocate some time for yourself. Let’s be honest. We’ll spend the rest of our lives working so you might as well get a little silly with your pals on occasion.
You’re a stringent saver which is a brilliant trait to have, but don’t be scared to relieve yourself of some stress every once in a while. Try not to stress about money too much at this age; student loans exist so you can forget about them for now and come back to it when it actually matters. Give yourself a justified treat every now and again; there’s no point in being loaded at 70-years-old with no journey to show for it.
If you have a clear split between two or more options, then perhaps Life is full of surprises, and your spending habits reflect that. You are someone to weigh up the benefits but evaluate them with the idea of threats. It’s very well to weigh up the benefits and the threats but like a pie molecule floating on the meniscus of your L&P, this uncertainty may make you less desirable. Make sure you don’t miss out on opportunities due to your chaotic energy. 33
Sheridan Shack
What could easily be Hamilton’s biggest flat, may also be the world’s most wholesome mini frat house. With the number of occupants sitting somewhere in the double digits, it’s fair to say that this lovely dwelling is a hive of activity – a true melting pot of student culture. Described by the tenants as “pretty cool”, “rather lazy”, and simply “the place everyone comes to drink”, there’s really no definitive way to tell the story of this flat.
She’s a British sweetheart who’s just looking for a laugh, her application claiming that “no one likes a majorly straight-edge fella with no sense of humour” and that her ideal date would “love a night on the piss” as much as she does. He’s a long-haired legend from the East Coast, a dedicated Dungeons and Dragons enthusiast, and one of those rather coordinated skater boys who manage to thread through the masses on the way too and from class. SHE SAID:
HE SAID:
To get one thing straight – I signed up for this after finding out there was a $100 bar tab up for grabs and, considering its Re-O Week; I thought there couldn’t be a better time to try and get some free drinks. A couple of days beforehand I was sort of terrified the guy would be really gross and creepy, and was told by my friend; “Hey, if he’s a tool, it’s Re-O Week. That’s a decent excuse you can use to get out early” (thanks heaps dude, you know who you are). So I showed up a little early, so I could settle down and get myself my first drink. The guy showed up shortly after, and I immediately texted the previously mentioned friend “He has a man bun, this is already terrible” so I mean, it could only get better, right? We introduced ourselves, talked about our degrees – the usual small talk. Being the awkward person I am, I ended up turning the conversation to medical procedures, and it was honestly so gross, but I couldn’t stop once I started (if you’re reading this, I’m very sorry). Thankfully, he found it kind of funny (I think). Was very glad he didn’t want to spend any of the tab on food, and he seemed to approve of my choice of beer which led to a decent conversation about craft breweries, and I’m thinking, hey this isn’t going too badly, he has some decent chat. Overall, I’d say it was a pretty nice date – he even paid for our Uber back because we live in the same area, which I thought was very gentlemanly, and we parted ways. Shot Nexus for this great opportunity, and thanks to the guy for being such a good date. Best of luck to you!
An offhand comment about blind dates while on a road trip is probably the fastest way to set yourself up for one. Having never done a blind date before I was a little nervous beforehand but after a pep talk from the lads, a cold one and some shit yarns on the drive over I calmed right down. Of course, all that went out the window though when I saw the absolute stunner that was my date. Fortunately, the conversation came quite easy for us and after burning the generic first date questions and a couple more drinks, the yarns got a bit more lively. The conversation flowed on for a few hours eventually to topics that neither of us really expected to be discussing on a date. Unfortunately, it was Re-O Week, and we both had other plans for that night so we quickly finished off the bar tab, and called an Uber back to get changed for town – although turning up to the blind date in a onesie would have been a good yarn. It was time to head back to the lads and be a menace for the rest of the night. Thanks, Nexus for setting up a good night.
Brought to you by House on Hood Street. If you’re keen for a Blind Date, email editor@nexusmag.co.nz
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Leo (July 23-Aug 22) As Pluto illuminates, others begin to notice your good fortune. Continue to brag about your mediocre achievements and romantic adventures; those around you love to constantly hear about them.
Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18) The passing of the moon brings with it new hope. Although it’s hard for you to let go of the past, it’s time to make peace with your Re-O Week behaviour and recently tarnished social status.
Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22) Now that Cancer’s phase has ended, realisations open your eyes to the lack of coincidence in your life. Stop obsessively checking your ex’s Snap map location and ‘casually’ bumping into them.
Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20) Jupiter’s placid stance welcomes second chances. Be sure to avoid taking these celestial signs for granted and envision the bigger picture. Keep in mind that once a cheater, always a cheater.
Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22) This week will bring many blessings for you, and your nearest and dearest. Make the most of this bountiful stroke of luck – our predictions show it’s all downhill from here.
Aries (Mar 21-Apr 19) Romance will weigh heavy on your mind over the course of the week. Be sure to understand the difference between genuine feelings for someone and the need for physical affection – adjust your Snapchat tactics accordingly.
Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21) The zodiac brings calm for the next few days. Enjoy the break of responsibilities, but don’t allow yourself to develop a false sense of security; a clingy mistake from the past may slither into your foreseeable future.
Taurus (Apr 20-May 20) Confusion settles in as Mars crosses your orbit. Be sure to assess all available options before making hasty decisions. Above all, refrain from entering debates with engineering students at all costs.
Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21) Be wary of unexpected peace offerings, ulterior motives hide behind innocent smiles. Assert your dominance by identifying personal insecurities and constantly mentioning them in casual conversation.
Gemini (May 21-June 20) The playful fogs of Venus cause your talkative side to pay a visit. However, excellent conversational skills aren’t always appropriate. Nobody in your Monday morning lecture cares about your “crazy” Saturday night.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19) Adventure beckons this week. While you’ve never been one to shy away from a challenge, our crystal ball shows that your participation in the lads’ newest drinking game will only end in misery, regret and pain.
Cancer (June 21-July 22) As an emotional being, the stresses of Semester B are already setting in. It’s advised to avoid your usual coping mechanisms, stop being an absolute bitch to those around you.
Keen for some free Burgerfuel? Simply snap us the shitfest of your student lifestyle for the chance to win. If you’ve accidentally sent us something you shouldn’t have, just email editor@nexusmag.co.nz with all the details. Prizes can be claimed from reception in the SUB (between Unimart and the gym). 39
Puzzles
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A message to the haters, the fakers and the frauds. Listen up carefully, because I'll only say this once. THEME:
STEWART IF YOU AINT WATCHED
HER 1995 CHRISTMAS SPECIAL BITCH
EASY SUDOKU
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DIFFICULT SUDOKU
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WORDFIND
YOU DON'T LOVE QUEEN MARTHA
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is h t ur s I o y Show king er she is e e e e e ey, e e h hon here at e O e e
SIMPLE PUZZLES FOR SIMPLE PEOPLE
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WORD TWIST
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ACROSS:
DOWN:
1. Quantify (7) 5. Mindful (5) 8. Changed location (5) 9. Pyrogenic (7) 10. Fundamental (7) 11. Languish (5) 12. Remit in advance (6) 14. Recommendation (6) 17. Utter (5) 19. Traversed (7) 22. Trap (7) 23. Precise (5) 24. Velocity (5) 25. Farm vehicle (7)
1. Imitate (5) 2. Go forward (7) 3. Below (5) 4. Comestible (6) 5. Irritated (7) 6. Fragrance (5) 7. Most vital part of an idea (7) 12. Own (7) 13. Clumsy (7) 15. Occurring with no delay (7) 16. Dialect (6) 18. Follow or result (5) 20. Greek letter (5) 21. Dissuade (5)
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