EDITORIAL Hello, lovelies. Thank you for sticking with us until our third issue; I can’t believe this is our last for the term. In this magazine, we discuss all things well-being. Once again, our feature writers, artists, contributors, photographers, and designer have been hard at work crafting this honest old rag. I’m really stoked with the balance of this magazine. We’ve put forward some confronting content in this issue, because well, our physical, mental, and spiritual health are serious chestnuts, and we must pay attention to all of them. On top of that, we’ve covered everything from yoga through to tunes for different moods. Members of the CANTA team have really opened up to you throughout the following pages. I ask you, dear reader, to respect their frankness and efforts to bring you a real, and sometimes raw, perspective. I take a deep dive into men’s mental health. If anything within our pages impacts you, do not hesitate to seek help – we’ve listed various resources alongside a number of potentially triggering stories. On a less serious note, but no less important, one of the keys to my personal positive mental health is food. Cooking is something I love; it soothes me. Because of this, I take you through a healthier approach to comfort food – Elvis Presley’s favourite snack with a twist. Enjoy this issue. It’s been a labour of love for you. We continue to endeavour to tell stories of relevance, cover issues that matter, and allow you to have a bit of fun along the way. Ngā mihi nui and lots of love,
Liam Stretch x
CANTA TEAM
CONTENTS 06 NEWS 10 BROKEN NEWS 14 RAY O’LEARY
Managing Editor Liam Donnelly - editor@canta.co.nz Print Editor Liam Stretch - print@canta.co.nz News Editor Emily Heyward Designer Conor Jones Photographer Malcolm McRae
16 MENTAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION
24 FLAT FAMOUS
Feature Writers Neueli Mauafu Lily Mirfin Ella Gibson Ella Somers
26 MEGHAN, SPEAKING HER TRUTH
Contributors Blaire Shadforth Jasmine Irving Ngawahine Thomson Leah Trow
20 EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS
30 PRODUCTIVITY 38 NOT JUST FOR MONKS 41 RDU GIG GUIDE 42 RECIPE
44 LUCKY DIP
Digital Editor Pearl Cardwell-Massie Audio Editor Asher Etherington Video Creative Director MaCaulay Quinn
Want to get involved with canta? VISIT CANTA.CO.NZ
President's piece Kim Fowler (she/they)
Kia ora team, I hope at this point in the term, you’ve settled in and aren’t too snowed under with assessments. You might have seen that our Finance and Engagement Officer has resigned, and I can understand that this may raise some questions, so here’s what’s happening next. The Exec has had an informal conversation about the next steps, and although constitutionally we don’t have to have a byelection, we’ve decided that’s the best process going forward, so you have a choice in who represents you. We’ll be releasing more details soon, but at the moment, the next steps on our plate are appointing a returning officer as well as figuring out a timeline. If you’re interested in this role, have a think about running! The theme of this issue of CANTA is “well-being”. I think this is a good time to ask how you’re doing. Are you vibing at this point in the semester? Snowed under with assessments? Or are things not good at all? Although it’s important to be continually looking after your well-being, if things aren’t too good, there are a couple of things that are really important to do if you’re having a shitty time at uni. Get help in looking after yourself. If things aren’t too hot for you, it’s important that you get help. Now’s a good time to check-in at the Health Centre or your doctor. They might have some helpful suggestions to make sure you’re looking after all aspects of your well-being. They can also help refer you to a counsellor or help you access a subsidy for more long-term counselling if you need it. If you want a bit less of a medical approach whilst still getting support, check-in with Student Care, UC’s general student support service.
Get help with managing your studies. If life’s a bit crap, it can affect your studies way more than you might expect. One thing I learnt throughout my studies is that you should apply for Special Consideration early, whenever you’re going through anything significant, and for all tests and exams that occur within that big period. In the past, I’ve failed to apply for Special Consideration under significant personal circumstances because I thought I did fine in that assessment. I’ve then got my results back and realised that what was going on actually had a huge impact on me! If things continue to affect your studies, it’s important also to tell someone at UC. This could be a student course advisor or Student Care. They can help you to get a late withdrawal on courses if that’s what you need. If your study has been significantly affected, this is a very realistic option for you, and a withdrawal is much better on your transcript than not passing. If this sounds like a lot, our Advocacy and Welfare team at the UCSA can help. Lighten the load on yourself. Make sure to tell people around you what’s going on – a problem shared is a problem halved. They don’t have to know all the facts, but it can help! If being busy is causing you issues, then try and offload some of what’s on. Can you take on fewer hours at work? Maybe see if your flatmates can cook for a week? Have a talk with the people around you to see what can be done. As always, I’m here if you have any questions – president@ucsa.org.nz That’s all from me for now, Kim
CANTA DMs
CANTA is blessed to have such an engaged audience that loves to talk to us! We get all sorts of emails and messages, and by ‘all sorts’ we mainly mean complaints. Here are some highlights from the year so far:
In response to our Pride issue: In response to calling bare feet gross:
What’s this about going barefoot being gross? I think it’s more gross to sweat into the same socks and shoes all day and collect crud in the soles of your shoes that never get cleaned. - Sincerely, the Barefoot Bandit.
Just wanted to say thanks for the amazing Pride CANTA issue! It was eye-opening to read the piece from that former issue of CANTA from a few decades ago. Also, I had always longed for a queer Lucky Dip! My flatmates and I noticed how the colours of the pages made a rainbow and thought it was a pretty cool detail. It’s certainly my favourite issue ever Have a good one and keep up the māhi.
Another in response to our Pride issue:
In response to our poll ‘Have UC and the UCSA done enough to acknowledge Christchurch Pride Week?’:
Unfortunately, like with other nationally celebrated weeks (Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori), I’ve found UC and the UCSA tokenise rather than actually make efforts to commemorate and celebrate these weeks. It comes across as more of an acknowledgement for the sake of being told they have to acknowledge it, or they’ll get cancelled rather than genuinely making an effort to celebrate.
I wonder if you will do a magazine issue on Christianity haha.
In response to nothing:
Hey, if I wrote an article about how I think seals are born from dogs that go swimming for too long, do you think you’d publish it in CANTA?
In response to describing LAWSOC being out of town for the weekend as “great news”:
Lots of love to you too CANTA x.
@CANTA CANTA.CO.NZ
NEWS OUTRAGE OVER COST OF CHIPS AT THE BURG By Emily Heyward (she/her)
A “kinda upset” student is calling for the price of fries at The Burg to be lowered after changes to the café meant it was no longer accepting V-Plate discounts.
And what adds salt to the wound is that he prefers the chips at The Burg.
Evan Ross went to buy regular fries from The Undercroft Café and was disappointed to discover he couldn’t get them for a discounted price with his V-Plate anymore.
“Nuts and Bolts definitively now, best chips on campus, for the money anyway. They used to be the same price, similar portions, but I actually prefer The Burg chips personally, which is sad because out of principle now I cannot buy them,” he said.
“I went to buy fries, as I do, and they told me, ‘Oh, we don’t have the V card anymore, but we have lowered a bunch of our prices to make up for it.’ And I was like ‘oh sweet’, and then I look at the menu, and the chips are still the same price,” he said.
If you’re a fresher and aren’t familiar with V-Plates, they are a big deal. There is a whole section on the UCSA website dedicated to the V-Plate, the discounts, that is, not your lack of sexual experience.
Evan said he paid $3.50 for regular-sized chips instead of the previously discounted price of $3.15.
All UCSA owned and operated cafes accept the V-Plate. But since self-service kiosks have been installed at The Burg, the V-Plates are no longer accepted, and discounts have allegedly been made to items on the menu to make up for it. Except, it seems, to chips.
“I just got my fries and walked away sadly.” And he hasn’t been back to The Burg since. He is now a regular at Nuts and Bolts. “I feel upset, mostly. I study in the library, so The Burg is like right there, it’s so convenient. I get my chips when I don’t have lunch on campus. But now I have to walk all the way to Eng Core and cry the whole way there basically.”
At the time of print, the UCSA wasn’t able to respond to CANTA’s queries about why the V-Plate was no longer being accepted at The Burg and why the price of chips hasn’t been lowered to accommodate this. As for Evan, he will keep buying his fries from Nuts and Bolts until if and when the price of regular chips comes down at The Burg.
FINANCE OFFICER STEPS DOWN The student’s association is unable to answer CANTA’s questions about Henry Wynn-Williams’ hasty departure from his role as Finance and Engagement Officer.
believe that a by-election is the most democratically sound process and the one we’ll follow to appoint the new finance and engagement officer.”
In a statement posted on Facebook on March 11, the UCSA announced Henry was “stepping down from his position, effective immediately, for personal reasons”.
The UCSA Executive would formally sign off on moving ahead with the by-election at their next meeting. Kim said the byelection is likely to take place after the holidays, but details would be confirmed at a later date. Until then, the role would be split between exec members.
The UCSA president would only comment on details surrounding filling the now-vacant role, saying a by-election would be held, due to the seniority of the role and it being early in the year. “We can constitutionally co-opt a current exec member, appoint a new exec member, or run a by-election to fill the role. We
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Meanwhile, she wanted to “thank [Henry] for his work at the UCSA so far”. Mr Wynn-Williams wished to not comment.
NEWS INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS BEING SHAFTED By Emily Heyward (she/her)
The University of Canterbury has rolled out its new study pathway ‘Start online, Finish on-campus,’ where, as the name suggests, international students can begin their study at UC online, from their homes overseas, and all going well, complete their degrees on campus when the borders re-open. About 100 students have enrolled in the new programme, paying upwards of $28,000 per year to study towards a degree. But many students reckon it’s daylight robbery. 90 per cent of those who voted in a poll on the UCSA Noticeboard – which asked whether people thought it was fair or not to charge international students the same price to study online from abroad as international students on campus – thought it was too steep. One person said they didn’t think it was fair at all. “What justification be provided when it’s the same material for everybody?” Another appeared quite angry, shouting UNFAIR in caps lock into their keyboard, saying online study doesn’t offer the same benefits as being on campus. “Unless you’re on campus, you should pay local costs. Hell, it should even be cheaper, as online study has a lot of drawbacks. Sadly, these institutions are wanting more money as they’re a business.” Another echoed that, saying, “I think a drop in tuition fees would be fair, but at the end of the day, university is a business that sells expensive education. I don’t know if they’d be overly keen on losing more cash flow than they already have.” Someone else said it “makes more money for our University which is invested back into us and those are pretty standard
international fees for NZ and Ozzy I’m pre sure. If they are studying here remotely and are willing to pay it, clearly, they consider it worth the value.” University of Canterbury director of recruitment and international, Tracey Wilson, said while international students studying online were being charged the same as those on campus, it was more expensive for the University to deliver courses online. “The cost of delivery online is actually higher than on-campus due to the wrap-around programmes that go with them. These include a mentoring programme and a separate orientation programme that has been provided,” she said. Tracey said students were enrolled in a range of degree programmes, including Arts, Science, and Engineering, and were joining from many countries, including China, the United States and India. While about 100 international students have enrolled in the pathway, she said final numbers would be confirmed in midApril, once the course withdrawal period ends. Meanwhile, from April, some international students who were already studying at UC and were caught overseas when border restrictions began last year will start returning to campus. In January, the Government announced that it would allow 1,000 international tertiary students, studying towards a degree, or higher, to return to Aotearoa, 82 of whom are UC students.
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NEWS A CONVERSTATION WITH IMAM IBRAHIM ABDELHALIM By Emily Heyward (she/her)
Imam Ibrahim Abdelhalim settles into the lounge chair in the corner of his living room. He takes his swollen left foot out of his sandal and rests it on top of his shoe. He has been plagued by a sore foot, brought on by eating too much bad food with his grandchildren, he says with a chuckle, so he hasn’t been sleeping very well lately. But it doesn’t stop him from getting on with his day. In fact, the mere thought of slowing down is enough to keep him going.
“Some students face some problem when they are studying, some of them fail an exam, or student allowance stop[s] and they need reference letters to StudyLink… I am here to give support, to give advice, to help, to solve any problem. If you face any problem, I can raise it with the university.”
“In my age, it’s easy for me, and no one can blame me if I sit relaxing, but I feel if I sit like that, it’s a sign of death,” he says.
“My responsibility is not only for the Muslim group. No, it’s for all the staff and all the students.”
A senior member of the Muslim community in Ōtautahi, Ibrahim is the University of Canterbury’s first Muslim chaplain. He’s also the first non-Christian chaplain on campus. Appointed last July, Ibrahim says it’s a huge “honour” to be able to support students and staff at UC, a place he has been connected with for over two decades. But he says it is also a “big responsibility”.
But while he is honoured to be in the role, Imam Ibrahim says it shouldn’t have taken an event like March 15 for a Muslim chaplain to be appointed at UC.
“It became a very big responsibility. Why? Because I am very known to the people and I think I do the best without any authority, but now I have authority, and I have to do something better or much more than I did.” Ibrahim has guest-lectured at UC’s school of health sciences and led Friday prayers with students on campus. Now that he’s a chaplain here, he wants to get even more involved, saying he is looking at establishing a monthly general lecture, discussing any topic students, staff or the wider community are interested in hearing him talk about. Ibrahim’s voice is filled with passion and sincerity when he talks about his new role. He says his job is about listening, supporting and helping solve any issues people may be having.
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Ibrahim wants to emphasise that he is here to support all students and staff.
“Canterbury University, from day one, they have only one faith; Christianity. It’s unfair... Canterbury University is a university for more than 70 nationalities. In the last 10 years, a lot of Muslim students, international Muslim students, coming to study at the university. So, it is unfair… It is important to be fair. “They try to offer something, to show the public, this university now support[s] the Muslim community. They tell me that,” he says. Ibrahim says while it’s “no trouble”, people need to recognise and accept that we are living in a diverse place. “We are living in a multi-cultural country. We have to understand that whether we like it or not. It adds strength when you have different faces, different nationalities, different ideas.” In 2019, Imam Ibrahim received the Anne Frank Interfaith Unity Award in recognition of his spiritual leadership in the
aftermath of the terrorist attacks. He was leading Friday prayers at Linwood Mosque when the terrorist entered on March 15, 2019, killing seven people and injuring five others there. “I saw everything in front of my eye. My wife, one of the injured and my son, the youngest son, he is traumatised.” A further 44 people were killed, and 35 others were injured at Al Noor mosque. “It is something nobody can believe or imagine that something like that can happen in this country,” he says. Ibrahim says he tries to be strong and focus on the future despite what has happened and isn’t interested in attending anniversary services. “What happened, it’s happened. Don’t need anything more. What is in our hearts is still in our hearts.
Ibrahim has some advice for students facing another year of global uncertainty. “Number one is to care about yourself. Eat well, sleep well, study well as much as you can. Number two, you have to believe this is kind of [a] test, as you are looking for the test at the end to pass the exam, we are now in a test. “Number three, even if we have some shortage of facilities in studying here, don’t complain. As much as you can, do the best. Thinking for others before thinking of yourself. Very simple. Be sure that all hands open, and all ears open to listen, to help,” he says. Imam Ibrahim Abdelhalim rises from the lounge chair in the corner of his living room. He walks to his kitchen and returns with a chocolate fruit cake.
“We need to show the whole world we are strong, we able to face all difficulties. This is part of our life; our life is not going straight, up and down up and down. How can we face our life like that?”
“For you,” he says. A man filled with kindness.
A box of children’s toys sits almost overflowing in Ibrahim’s hallway. “These ones they love,” Ibrahim says, pointing at a bunch of multi-coloured toy balls. It’s clear he loves spending time with his grandchildren. He proudly shows off his latest yearly calendar, each month showcasing an array of family photos, a documentation of his growing grandchildren.
“UC is student-led, so it was following discussions with our Muslim community members in 2018, especially UC MUSA, that a Muslim chaplaincy at UC was appropriate. The search for a candidate to fill the role of UC Muslim Chaplain began in late 2018, but the tragic events of 15 March 2019 put the search on hold so that the more immediate needs of UC’s Muslim community could be prioritised.”
And for someone who tries to always look to the future,
UC’s response to criticisms about the timing of appointing a Muslim chaplain:
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NEWS By Liam Donnelly (he/him)
UCSA TO OUTSOURCE CLUBS’ COORDINATOR POSITION TO CALL CENTRE IN POKHARA, NEPAL Fed up with dealing with club-related matters, the UCSA’s events team has decided to outsource Clubs’ Coordinator responsibilities to a call centre in Nepal. According to a UCSA insider, the ever-expanding list of clubs was getting too big for the events team to manage. “The options were to either hire one full-time employee at a reasonable wage, or hire an entire building of people at really low wages.” The move is expected to drastically reduce wait time on club requests, with calls on hold for an average of just four days.
NIGERIAN PRINCE PROVIDES FINANCIAL ADVICE AFTER RESIGNATION
OTTO TO RUN IN BY-ELECTION Otto of ‘Otto’, the on-campus pizzeria, has announced his candidacy for Finance and Engagement Officer in the upcoming UCSA by-election. “Having monopolised the pizza scene on campus, it’s time to step up my game and monopolise all of the UCSA’s finances,” said Otto in a statement release by his campaign team. Otto has already announced some controversial policies, including replacing the entire University’s vehicle fleet with cost-efficient Vespas, and banning all gluten-free students from UC. “We didn’t actually name Otto after anyone, we just made the name up,” said a confused UCSA staff member.
Following the resignation of its Finance and Engagement Officer, the UCSA has announced it is receiving financial advice from a Nigerian prince. Following the resignation, a Nigerian prince reached out via email to offer financial advice and to return six million USD of inheritance bestowed to a UCSA staff member. “To receive his financial expertise, all I’ve had to do is send him a copy of my passport and a small fee of $1000,” said President Kim Fowler. The UCSA is still waiting to hear back from him.
ALL NEW RICE BOWL NOW WITH REAL NUTS AND BOLTS!
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Ngawahine Thompson (she/her)
Whether you’re in your first year of university or your last, the first semester of the year can be a huge adjustment. After a relaxing or exciting summer, it can be challenging to settle into uni life. Setting realistic expectations for yourself, not comparing yourself to others, and opening up to self-care are great ways to improve your well-being.
essentials? Secondly, we are all unique individuals. Do you have a friend who is always making plans that you can’t find the energy to go to? They could be an extrovert who doesn’t understand that you might need alone time to recharge your social battery. Focus on yourself and remember that we don’t all have the same desires, and that is A-okay.
A lot of people start the year off strong and realise they expected too much of themselves. It’s tempting to fill in your spare time with study dates, club events and catching up with mates. Having so much on the go at once can become draining, and it’s important to remember that you don’t have to be busy all the time. By setting realistic expectations of your time and energy, you can prepare yourself accordingly. Skip that lunch date with your friends to finish an assessment that frees you up for the weekend. Take an hour out of your day to refresh your mind and take a break from reviewing your weekly notes. Don’t stretch yourself too thin across the many aspects of uni life. You are only one person, and it’s okay to set boundaries around what’s realistic for you.
Self-care is something that many of us neglect to schedule into our routines. Allow yourself the time to relax, recharge and clear your mind every now and then. This could be a trip to the movies that forces you to put your devices away or a quiet stroll through Ilam Gardens. Consider taking up a new hobby like yoga, pottery making or boxing. Even a fresh haircut or new pair of jeans can be a reward to yourself after a long week. Self-care looks different to everyone and doesn’t need to cost anything. The importance of self-care lies within the way you feel afterwards. Use it as a chance to de-stress and jump back into uni life with a clear mind.
I know it sounds cliched, but don’t compare yourself to others. It’s easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing and feel like you need to be doing the same. First of all, we generally see the best snippets of other people’s lives and not the truth behind that perfectly crafted Instagram story. Was it a productive study session? Or was it just a beautifully arranged photo of study
Student life can be hectic, and it’s crucial for your well-being to take a step back and breath. If you take away anything from this article, make it this; set your boundaries, focus on yourself and treat yourself. Ka kite anō, e hoa mā. @cdhbyac
Art By Blaire Shadforth (she/her)
Comedian Ray O’Leary is making a name for himself in the Land of the Long White Cloud. Winning various awards in his fledgeling career, Ray has regular slots on some primetime Kiwi television shows and is well established in the comedy circuit. Liam Stretch got to know him.
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For those comfortably beneath a rock and have no idea who you are, fill us in – who is Ray O’Leary? I’m a stand-up comedian that you may recognise from my appearances as a panellist on 7 Days, a contestant on Have You Been Paying Attention? or as a weak swimmer on Piha Rescue. Describe your comedy style? Succinct. You love a suit; would you say that it is a comedic device? I don’t know if it makes me funnier, but I don’t think it fits me very well, and it makes me look like an accountant who’s wandered on stage by accident. Someone told me you are vegan; is this true? If so, why? Does it make for good jokes? I went vegan due to the utilitarian arguments made by Peter Singer in his 1975 seminal philosophical text Animal Liberation where he successfully argues that there is no principled reason to ignore the suffering of animals just because they’re animals and therefore we cannot eat them. Going vegan is also one of the single best things an individual can do to help prevent climate change. So, in conclusion, yes, it does make good jokes.
What’s your favourite plant-based joke? “I met this woman today who said she recognised me from a vegan group, but I’d never met herbivore.” Your awards seem to be piling up. How does being a 2020 Billy T James Award Nominee compare to winning Best Comedy Show at Hamilton Fringe Awards?
How would you rate NZ comedy internationally?
A nomination for the prestigious Billy T award is nice, but the Hamilton Fringe award is taken very seriously there. I was given the keys to the city, got to invent a new Duck Island flavour, and they named their burnout competition after me.
I think NZ comedy is very strong, and we punch well above our weight internationally, given the size of our country. There’s Flight of the Conchords doing three nights at the O2, Urzila Carlson has a Netflix special, Rhys Darby is starring in an HBO series, Rose Matafeo has won the most prestigious award for live comedy, and I did a gig in Palmerston North. All huge achievements.
Who is your comic icon?
What’s coming up for you?
Who is my comedy icon? My favourite comedians are Stewart Lee and Norm Macdonald.
I’m performing my solo show Ray Against The Machine at Little Andromeda from Fri 23- Sat 24 April. Most tickets have gone, but if you get in quick, you can still get a spot.
Comedy can have a tendency to be selfdeprecating; how to you stay on top of your mental health when on a circuit? I think putting your problems into perspective is very helpful. I live in a developed, peaceful country, and I am very lucky to be here. Also, the Absurdism of Albert Camus is helpful and realising everything is ridiculous is helpful. We’re all just Sisyphus rolling boulders up a hill.
Your comedy has been described as deadpan, but my question for you is, have you ever seen an alive pan? I see you have misinterpreted the term “deadpan” for humorous effect. No comment. Hotdogs or legs? I am vegan. I can eat neither.
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By Lily Mirfin (she/her)
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Nutrition and the effect it can have on our overall physical health is well-known. If we eat poorly, then we don’t feel our best and typically don’t look our best either. But the connection between what we consume and our mental health isn’t really discussed. Discussing our mental health is not anywhere normal as it should be – because of this, we usually don’t know what to do if we ever feel ourselves falling into being in a bad place mentally. Drinking alcohol, eating poorly, and not looking after ourselves is bound to negatively affect our mental health. When you’re a busy student, you typically can’t be bothered cooking. So, you end up reaching for the most convenient option. Either two-minute noodles, a processed pasta dish or maybe if you’re splashing out, you’ll go for a Domino’s pizza. We have an expert in the field of nutrition and mental health impacts here at UC, Professor Julia Rucklidge. Julia gave a TEDxChristchurch talk in 2014 on this subject, and I highly recommend you give this a watch. Julia points out that some of the main issues that humans experience whilst starving are largely psychological. Like increased anxiety, irritability, and even self-harm. So, if not eating causes psychological symptoms, then eating food laden with artificial additives must affect us. Now I know students aren’t the only people who eat poorly, but we seem to do some damage in the three-to-five years we spend studying. If you’re sick of feeling run down and tired, maybe try and shake things up and improve your diet. It’s one of the easiest and safest things you can do to try and improve your mental health. Always, always consult a healthcare professional before making any diet or lifestyle changes or if you’re struggling with your mental health. These are some of the easiest changes for students to make in order to eat healthier:
Do an actual grocery shop. Don’t just pop in when you need more milk or Mi Goreng. Make a list and stick with it to make sure you have full meals. Work more whole grains into your diet. Avoid the white bread and rice. Swap it for brown rice, quinoa or a wholegrain couscous. Try and find an affordable brown bread or just check what’s in the food you’re eating. Meal prep. There are plenty of recipes available online that keep well in the fridge. Having some fast meals on hand will make all the difference in a busy week. Go to smaller independent shops for fruits and vegetables. These are often cheaper than supermarket prices for fruits and vegetables. The stock is often more limited as they typically sell only what’s in season as opposed to what has been imported. A good general rule is to simply read the label on any prepackaged food item. If you don’t know what something is on the label, then eating it is probably best to avoid it. Nutrition is not a one size fits all model. We all have different bodies that behave in very different ways. Because of this, before making any major changes to your diet and lifestyle, it is important that you consult a medical professional. We’re all human. We are going to eat takeaways every now and then, and most of us will have a drink occasionally. Just try not to overdo it. Taking care of yourself includes not being too hard on yourself. What we consume matters, and a lot of us don’t realise this. Always reach out if you need help; please reach out to a medical professional. Don’t make any drastic changes without doing this first, or you may end up doing more harm than good.
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Liam Stretch (he/him)
Trigger warning. This article discusses confronting themes which may include sexual harassment, mental health, and suicide. This time last year, our newsfeeds were flooded with the hashtags #ChallengeAccepted #24hours in an attempt to make us take action on mental health. I saw everything from a few push-ups through to drinking a raw egg, a shot of spirits, a spoon of sugar, and a beer scull. Tagged users were told they had 24 hours to complete the challenge, or they would have to donate $200 to men’s mental health. Others encouraged men to merely copy and paste a statement telling them to build each other up rather than tearing them down. Don’t even get me started on why drinking to combat poor mental health is an issue. I appreciate the sentiment of some of the Facebook movement, but I have serious doubts about its effectiveness. I already had my own feelings about these when they were posted in 2020 and was fully prepared for them to spring back up this year. But, to my surprise, there was nothing but tumbleweeds in the digital desert. Though it was probably a big initial step for some men, it quickly became more of a fad than an impactful action – which actually didn’t result in anyone talking about their feelings.
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I went to an all-boys school, and we definitely never talked about mental health, nor were we taught about it. The counsellor was an embarrassment to go chat to. I remember once having to confide in the counsellor about some bouts of anxiety I was experiencing, and I quickly had to joke with my friends in order to cover up that I might not be feeling too hot. This is a situation primarily developed because of the old New Zealand male identity of ‘she’ll be right’. I recall the many times I was in a scenario with my friends and their fathers or another older male, and they said this classic zinger: “have a cup of concrete and harden the fuck up”. I often didn’t know how to respond to this as it was not a statement my father would ever say, as he is not a man who subscribes to that way of thinking. Even though this was usually in response to a scraped knee or not getting to play with the toy I wanted, it set a precedent for any show of emotion being a step a ‘man’ shouldn’t take. I have seen many of my peers deeply impacted by this standard of expression. This continued for many through their teens, and till now, in adulthood.
Picture this; you’ve been at a small drinks with ‘the boys’, you’ve finished your box and are onto the heavy stuff. Suddenly, one of your friends starts to talk about their feelings, and it turns out they have a tonne of shit going on. You wake up the following morning, a little worse for wear, and can barely recall the conversations you had the previous evening. You know your mate told you some intense stuff, but you can’t remember – the conversation is never readdressed, until maybe when you get drunk again. This is a scenario I’ve witnessed, been part of, and had to work through countless times. It angered me for a wee while until I contextualised it. I realised how the very way young Kiwi men grow up shapes the way they express themselves. We know how quickly things can get lost in the abyss of social media, and this is no different – a couple of posts about the issue is not necessarily building a conversation. I implore you to reach out to your mates and think more in-depth about what mental health means – it can be as simple as the way you interact with peers. Do not bully your friend for going bald, do not pick on the gay kid; build your friend up who has boring work stories, is going through a breakup, or seems quiet. I found in my own personal experience that if you really want to help a male friend, you have to make yourself vulnerable before them. No, there is nothing gay about this; as a gay man, I can assure you so. By showing that you’re capable of breaking down your own barriers means they are capable of breaking down theirs. Do not judge whatever they tell you; New Zealand males are conditioned to judge. It’s a defence mechanism. I was nearly 20 before I let my guard down and booked in with a therapist. This helped me not only to combat my own demons but be in a position where I was equipped to talk to other people about their issues and maybe direct them towards help.
So, I guess what I’m saying in this ramble is talk. No matter who that is, talk. I bottled up some emotions for years, only to have them lifted from my shoulders after one simple conversation, a conversation that I haven’t halted. I’ve collated some resources for you below; there are some folks in Aotearoa doing some really important work. If you’re feeling vulnerable at present, or know someone who is, we are lucky to have many people working really hard in Aotearoa and really good services available: - 1737.org.nz – a free text and call service, offering support if you’re in need of a chat. - mentalhealth.org.nz – Mental Health Foundation. This website has direct contact lines for regional crisis centres and other specialised support services. - clearhead.org.nz – an app and website that develops personalised mental health support - alcoholdrughelp.org.nz – services to support those – or those you know – who are struggling with problems related to alcohol and drugs. - changingminds.org.nz – a not for profit run by those who have personal experience with recovery from mental health. - healthnavigator.org.nz/healthy-living/m/mens-health specific tips and conversations about men’s health issues. - nz.movember.com – The official Movember website. It has a plethora of resources and accounts, and information on how to get involved.
19
By Lily Mirfin (she/her)
20
Trigger warning. This article discusses confronting themes which may include sexual harassment, mental health, and suicide. When I first started at UC, I didn’t even consider that sexual harassment might become part of my study experience. But the statistics prove that for many students, it’s sadly the way their time at university goes. The recent findings of a study into sexual harassment amongst New Zealand students show that almost one in three will be sexually harassed or assaulted during their time at university. There needs to be more done for incoming students in terms of education around this subject. But given how alcohol fueled the university experience is, one of the most effective ways to improve your safety and the safety of your friends is to simply take care of each other. This isn’t a problem for any one gender. This is a collective issue. We can’t simply re-educate or identify everyone who could sexually harass someone. Keeping each other safe by following a few simple steps is the simplest way to move forward. Try and make sure one of you is sober, or at least semi-sober than the rest of you. Keep track of everyone. I know running away for a solo adventure can seem fun and all when you’re drunk. But it’s a very dangerous situation to get yourself into. Be aware of where the help points are around campus. These are large power pole-like spots where you can contact UC security in a well-lit spot. Reporting sexual harassment and assault at universities in Aotearoa has been a short falling for a very long time. There have been improvements made since, reporting sexual harassment can be done formally or informally by any students or staff members.
This is the most comprehensive website created by UC on the subject: www.canterbury.ac.nz/support/health/sexual-harassment-andsexual-assault/ This website includes how reporting can be done and gives sources on keeping yourself safe. This website is a necessary read for all new and returning students. This topic wasn’t even discussed when I was looking at what university to attend. I didn’t even have an understanding of how prevalent sexual assault and harassment is at universities. It was a bit of a shock to find out how permeated it is into our tertiary culture. But we can change this. Collectively, if we all keep an eye on each other and call out any behaviour, we see in an attempt to lower the number of students that are harassed. A recent study has found that out of the students sexually harassed or assaulted at New Zealand universities, one third tell no one and a further third told only one person. I urge you to please; please report anything that happens. It’s one of the few things you can do to stop this occurring again. It’s not my goal to scare anyone off never going out after dark again. But please look after yourselves and make sure those around you are feeling safe. Keeping yourself and others safe is of immense importance. You want to keep the parties going and keep having fun. Don’t let sexual harassment and assault make this impossible.
21
Do
well-being
apps
app-tually
work?
With the rise and popularity of well-being technology, the average person is now supposedly just a screen or device away from achieving peace of mind. But can technology successfully deliver well-being? Ella Somers investigates three popular well-being apps and puts her stress levels and sleeping issues to the test. A few weeks into the uni semester and the shiny façade of a new academic year has started to crack and fade. To combat the rising stress levels and the swift death of a normal sleep schedule, I picked three well-being apps with millions of downloads under their belts to see if they could help my well-being woes.
Having investigated two of the most popular meditation and well-being apps out there, I wanted to try something different. After finding the closest thing to pure joy through Headspace’s sleep casts, I wanted to find something similar that would give me the eardrum version of a sedative while not breaking my bank account. Enter Relax Melodies, an app that has literally every nice sound you can think of from white noise, rain, autumn leaves, coffeeshop, thunder and more. The app also offers music, meditation, and bedtime stories, but I mainly stuck like glue to their sleep sounds which made me feel like my brain had been sedated every time I popped one on. Relax Melodies has had over 50 million downloads, and whatever magic they did to make this app work so well obviously worked because my sleep has been so much better since I started using it. I’ve been able to access most of the content they offer for free, which has been delightful, and I don’t see the need to upgrade to premium. If you do want to splash out, it’s $9.30 per month or $111.64 per year (which is a bit on the spenny side).
If I had started using Calm before I started using Headspace, I would’ve liked it more. With over 60 million downloads, I’m not entirely sure why this app missed the boat with me, but it did. The app interface is irritating and plays annoyingly loud music every time you open the app, which is something I passionately believe should be banned. Calm makes Headspace look like the free content lottery, with very little being available for free as most of the content is behind their premium. This would make you think that Calm’s premium content would be top-notch, but even though they offer a wide variety of meditations, music soundscapes, and sleep stories, I struggled to find anything that was really enjoyable. Calm’s soundscapes were not my favourite either, although to be fair, it would be very difficult to beat Headspace in this department. You can get a free seven-day trial of premium which you could try if you’re interested, but at $97.68 per year, it’s a big no from me, regardless of if you’ve got the moolah on you or not.
It’s hard to stick a toe in the well-being app universe without Headspace being thrown at you from all angles. It’s had over 65 million downloads, Vogue loves it, and it even has its own Netflix series. With a large selection of guided meditations for well-being, focus, exercise, I thought there was a good variety of engaging meditations – but they didn’t do a lot to budge the stress levels. Headspace gets the thumbs up from me because of their sleepcasts which are some of the best audio content my eardrums have ever experienced. The excellent narrators' dulcet tones would make my brain feel like butter within five minutes, and my sleep did become more restful. As with most good things, a price tag is attached, and most of Headspace’s good stuff is behind a subscription - although you do get a free 14-day free trial which I recommend you make the most of! Headspace is $18.99 per month or $139.99 per year, which – addictive sleepcasts or not – is not very affordable for students, including myself. But make the most of the free trial, and if you do have the cash, why not give your mind a shot of buttery well-being goodness?
TOMMY ?
KAVEH
Flat Famous
EVAN
LILITH
JAYDEN
ROBERT
Flat Famous
Kaveh -
The one who actually owns all the plants, studies forestry, and wears bandana’s - sensing a theme yet? Loves to water his plants and his liver, self-professed undefeated on the beer pong table for a year and three months (he wishes). Usually found in the kitchen, jamming just as hard to jazz as DNB and drinking way too much tea.
Robert - Listens to dnb 16 hours a day. Had a bleached mullet last year. Just got his nipples pierced for gags. Owns 70 cents worth of bitcoin. Rob’s a hard man to pin down. He spends more time watching Echos than should be possible. The king of TMI in public places, ay Papa pumpy pumpy. Owns 0 plants. Evan - He’s a snow junky, the mountain kind that is. Proud CUSSC exec. Spends his weekends outlining the excessive value of flame beers to anyone that will listen. Secretly a huge nerd. He gets excited about measuring stream flows and froths a boardgame. Owns two of the plants. Lilith - Blonde, surfs, vegan, and makes good pasta, the recipe for a good life. Studies Mechatronic Engineering, impressive considering we convinced her Kaveh was Colombian on the weekend. Purchased three shit box cars in the past year; one still runs. Owns one of the plants. Jayden - Quit uni to work at a bike shop. Quit the bike shop to travel around the country riding his bike. Most often seen covered in mud and plasters. Self-professed ‘Lady Killer’ when the pit vipers come out. Broke even on the pong table one time. Loves to drive the boat. Owns zero plants. Tommy - Not a flatmate, just Kaveh’s gardening buddy :)
EACH FLAT FEATURED IN FLAT FAMOUS WINS A NIGHT OUT AT SPAGALIMIS PIZZERIA!
By Emily Heyward (she/her)
Trigger warning. This article discusses confronting themes which may include sexual harassment, mental health, and suicide. To those who thought Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, was ‘attention seeking’ or ‘lying’ about having suicidal thoughts, I hope you never find yourself in that position. It has been dubbed the most explosive royal interview since Princess Diana famously sat down for a tell-all with the BBC in 1995. Harry and Meghan’s two-hour interview with Oprah has been dissected, scrutinised, and analysed from every angle by royalists, commentators, and it seems everyone with a keyboard and an affinity for the comment sections of news articles. Among the many bombshell revelations, Meghan bravely revealed she had been thinking about taking her life during her time with the Royal Family in the UK. “I just didn’t want to be alive anymore,” Meghan said. “I was really ashamed to say it at the time and ashamed to have to admit it to Harry, especially because I know how much loss he has suffered, but I knew that if I didn’t say it, then I would do it.” The Duchess of Sussex talked openly with Oprah about her struggles and what life was like within the Royal Family.
your life, then you are lucky. It is harrowing and lonely. Telling someone that you are thinking about killing yourself takes a kind of strength; you can only truly understand if you have ever been in that situation yourself. For Meghan to tell the world that she was suicidal would have taken a hell of a lot of courage. People don’t go around saying that sort of stuff lightly. No matter what you think of her, or the Royal Family, saying things like ‘she was just saying that for attention’ is dangerous. No, Meghan probably isn’t going to see your comment, but a friend or family member of yours might. And if they are struggling with suicidal thoughts or ideation, you have just silenced them. New Zealand has the second-highest youth suicide rate in the developed world, according to Unicef. There is no place for denying or questioning someone else’s reality. People are dying. Every time someone opens up about their experiences, like Meghan, it helps one more person feel seen and validated. Don’t be the person who stops someone else from speaking out and asking for help. And if someone tells you they are suicidal, believe them.
And while many commended Meghan for her bravery and strength in talking about her suicidal thoughts so openly, others took to social media, accusing her of never actually being suicidal, just ‘attention seeking’.
Where to get help:
Piers Morgan, who has since ‘left’ his position as a host on Good Morning Britain, labelled the whole interview as “disingenuous”, saying he didn’t “believe a word she said”.
Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
And here is the problem with comments like that. When you deny someone else’s reality, you silence them. If you have never been in a place where it seems like the only option you have of escaping your pain and distress is by taking
Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP)
Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor Healthline – 0800 611 116 Samaritans – 0800 726 666
Lads without Labels Neueli Mauafu (he/him)
Instagram (@ladswithoutlabels)
Facebook (Lads Without Labels)
EXECUTIVE TEAM 2021 President: Sam Watkins Vice President: Jules Haus Treasurer: Stacey Williams Media and Communications: Jeremy Wright Sponsorship: Kaleigh Pickover and Jesse Custers Events: Sol Cerson and Rohan Chakrabarti
Trigger warning. This article discusses confronting themes which may include sexual harassment, mental health, and suicide.
In a world where lockdowns and isolation slowly become the norm, the question “Are you ok?” really can make a difference in anyone’s life. With the whole COVID-19 pandemic continuing to sweep the globe into a total frenzy, a lot of our community are thrown into a space of being alone, physically and mentally. Much of these changes can take a toll on a student, and the academic portion already brings struggles that will only increase even more if someone feels isolated or trapped. Based on campus is our very own Lads Without Labels club. Established in 2020, a year of uncertainty and despair, Lads without Labels arose as a charity/club addressing mental health and its impact on our wider community. I managed to have a chance to speak with the team via email and sent through some questions in regard to their club.
What was the thought/idea behind the establishment of the club? Words from the 2020 President, Sam McLean : I wanted to start this club because I know how difficult mental health can be. I’ve seen a lot of my mates struggle with it and faced my own issues as well. Whether its feelings of isolation, questioning my own self-worth, or just losing desire to do anything productive, I’ve definitely had my fair share of bad days. University can be an incredibly stressful place, with deadlines and expectations set on you to succeed. When you’re struggling with mental health on top of that, things become a lot harder. One of the best ways to make things easier is by reaching out to people and making sure you’re staying in touch with the people you care about. Because you never know who might be struggling. I wanted to help create a community that helps bring people together and opens up more conversations about mental health. I want anyone to be able to come and learn how to look after their mates better. We’re not experts, but we want to make UC a better place. Because we all have men we care about.
What are some setbacks you guys faced when setting up your club? Overall, our community was hugely supportive of our cause and purpose. We received overwhelming support throughout the year, and the UC students were very engaging. The UCSA helped us throughout the year, which has proved vital in our success. This year, the UCSA is continuing to provide more support for us at Lads Without Labels. Hopefully, this means we will be able to support students in the best way possible by creating a safe and positive space. Without a doubt, COVID threw a spanner in the works. The club’s team was left scrambling to think of ways we could continue to spread our message throughout the lockdown period(s). However, we believe we did a good job at supporting our whānau. COVID-19 has been one of the most damaging occurrences that a club can face, or, more importantly, that human society can face. The club mutually agrees to look past our own club’s performance and promises to provide support for our community we care so much about. Identify some goals that your team want to achieve – both short-term and long-term. Our short-term goals are to hold events this year that establishes us strongly in the University club scene. We want to host events for people that are educational, and which encourage positive conversations. Our long-term goals are to reach the wider NZ community and be a strong player in the Men’s Mental Health arena. We want to grow our UC community and support network. A part of this journey will see us collaborate with others. We at LWL strongly believe that teamwork is the best way forward.
Ella Gibson (she/her)
Uni is infamously known for causing some grief, and that’s in a multitude of ways; mentally, physically, and emotionally. I like to describe the plunge towards attempted adulthood at university as being thrown into the deep end without knowing how to swim. Uni feels like a constant pull against the tug, more giving than taking and all things stress-related seem inevitable. No matter if you keep up to date with your course load, there always seems to be another reading around the corner.
Trigger warning. This article discusses confronting themes which may include sexual harassment, mental health, and suicide. Influenced by Western culture, productivity is expected of you all the time and if you dare take a moment to breathe, let me assure you that old mate university is ready to bite you in the bum! This sounds vicious, right? That’s because it is! University is not for the faint-hearted, so congrats on making it this far. In this article, we talk about all-things productivity in relation to university and how to cope with it’s “dark side”. Dr Katharina Naswall, professor of organisational psychology here at UC, shares her expertise on the topic. Dr Naswall has been in the field of organisational psychology for about 20 years. For those that don’t know, organisational psychology is the branch of psychology that applies psychological theories principles to organisations. Focusing in the workplace, issues such as increasing workplace productivity and employees’ mental and physical well beings are at the heart of the subject. “In the last few years, I have looked at employee well-being. And how organisations can be structured to support people so that when they go to work, they feel good,” Dr Naswall shares. Dr Naswall reveals how her research has intersected with concepts of productivity, burnout, and stress. “We think it [well-being] is a good thing because when people feel more relaxed and less stressed, you free up your mental and cognitive resources,” Naswall asserts. This assertion is important because if you have an increased mental capacity, you will have a decreased tendency for stress and burnout. “We’re saying that when people feel good, it should be good for productivity, and that is how we have intersected.” Obviously, productivity is not always a bad thing. “It can feel good when you have achieved something and when you feel like you are meeting a goal” comments Naswall. However, when productivity “becomes forced and if it comes at the expense of your own well-being, there is definitely a potential for productivity to become a stressor,” Naswall states. “We are
designed to put up with stress for a short amount of time. But when that becomes the norm, when you don’t have breaks to restore energy, that’s a huge problem.” “The idea of taking care of yourself and prioritising yourself and your well-being is really important in relation to performing well and doing well in university,” shares Naswall. When you find yourself in a situation where you feel overwhelmed and stressed, Dr Naswall recommends that you talk to the UC Health Centre or Student Care because “they are here for students”. Sometimes, you may be able to cope with it yourself; in that case, here are Dr Naswall’s recommended methods of navigating the stress: - Take breaks: “I think that taking breaks to do something that you enjoy, prioritising things that make you feel better and to engage in that. It is not impeding performance; it is actually enabling performance.” - Ask: “Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Lecturers want to help. If things seem unclear: ask. I know that can be scary, but at least find someone who is less scary and reach out to them. Because we are here for the students, and we don’t want people to burn out.” - Sleep: “Another thing that research in the school has shown is that sleep is really important because it is a break. So both sleep, like non-active rest and active rest by something that you enjoy is important.” - Compassion: “It is also about compassion; compassion for yourself. Don’t beat yourself up, and don’t stress yourself out. To avoid some of that is to avoid comparison with others. We all have our different ways of doing things, and just because someone is doing one thing one way does not mean that we are doing it wrong. Giving ourselves a break is key.”
Ella Gibson (she/her)
“Hummmmmm…” is always the noise associated with the stereotypical meditator. Someone doing meditation would most probably have their legs crossed, be sitting under a tree, and be intermittently sipping on a kombucha when they have time to come back into the conscious realm. Meditation has always had this exclusive feel to it as if it was this elitist spiritual realm that you could only get to if you had met your Guru and had enough money to get yourself to their ashram in India. However, that is not the case. Meditating is defined as focusing one’s mind for a period of time, in silence or with the aid of chanting, for religious or spiritual purposes or as a method of relaxation. So yes, that stereotype has been derived from the type of meditation that the media wanted you to see. But now, meditation is becoming more integrated into a lot of people’s lives. And for good reason too! Originally from Chile, Kotte Aguilar travelled to New Zealand in 2008. Kotte is the founder of Yoga by Kotte (YBK), which “enriches people’s lives providing quality creative and accessible yoga for everybody.” It is Kotte’s vision to provide “yoga, mindfulness, mediation and public speaking in a fun and engaging way” to everyone. Kotte has gained many qualifications over her practising years. These include ‘Power Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training’, the ‘Meditation, Mindfulness & Yin Yoga Contemplative Wellness & Education’ certificate, and she has even been a TEDxYouth Speaker, not once but twice! Kotte kindly shared with CANTA her journey with meditation and why she thinks it can benefit university students’ well-being. “When I was about 21 or 22, I was really unwell mentally and physically. A friend of mine told me to try yoga. I was like, “no”, because I had tried it before and thought it was a bit of a weird experience,” Kotte shares. Kotte tried again, and thankfully she did. “From the yoga, it triggered the meditation because it was the first time I experienced concentration in my entire life” she reveals. A 2018 study conducted by Harvard researchers revealed how meditation helps you focus. The study showed that “our minds are lost in thought 47% of the time.” Through meditation, you can change the structure and function of the
brain. Meditation has been proven to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It can increase focus and learning concentration, improve memory and attention span, build a stronger immune system and allow you to have a better sleep. According to some archaeologists, meditation has historically been deeply rooted in the religious and spiritual context, dating back to 5,000 BCE. Meditation still remains in spiritual tradition, but now it is moving toward the mainstream. One of the biggest reasons is because of mental health and the push to improve it. “We don’t have any practice for our mind. We have endless things to do to look after our body and physical health. When it comes to mental health, all we think about his depression and anxiety” Kotte declares. It is bizarre as Kotte explains that “mental health is the health of the mind and everyone has it. Maybe for me, it is a question to the system: why do we have so many resources for physical health and not for mental health?” When it comes to us uni students, Kotte shares why she thinks meditation would be beneficial to us. “It is because of the pressure they [we] have. Your brain is already going through learning mode, and so it is a perfect opportunity to learn other things [mindfulness and meditation]” Kotte says. Being a student is hectic, “as a student, you may be thinking, “I’m just so busy”, when you are going through those waves of busyness, give yourself 30 seconds to meditate, and you will be able to manage. And if you don’t know how to manage your mind, it can be consuming and overwhelming” she shares. “When you’re a student, no one is going to get you through it but you. It is really important that you put yourself first. If you are efficient and have control, you are going to have time to part, to study and to meditate” Kotte states. There are unlimited online resources for meditation; you could even go and try out meditation with Kotte. Find more information about Yoga by Kotte on yogabykotte.com. Meditation is connected to everything; Kotte affirms that “once you understand that concentration is meditation, you can apply it to anything.”
Liam Stretch (he/him)
1. Aloe Vera
2. Peace Lily
You’ve probably seen one of these at most student flats. They are a super simple one to take care of, and shoots can be easily thieved from a mature plant. They require very little water, but like good, bright light. Also, the sap is fabulous as a moisturiser.
Peace Lilies are excellent in most spaces. They usually flower once a year and can last for decades. My mum has had one for nigh on 20 years.
4. Spider Plant
3. Jade Plant To grow lush and healthy, Jade needs plenty of sunlight, so pick your brightest room to place it in. Do be careful with the level of watering on a jade plant, though. Too much and the roots will rot, too little, and he’ll dry out.
I was given my first spider plant five years, and though the original one dies, it produced many offspring, which have allowed me to keep its line going for ages! Once it produces small plants, carefully remove these and place in a glass with a little water on your windowsill, and they will grow roots in a week or so.
5. Snake plant Pretty much indestructible. It thrives on neglect, and it looks pretty cool.
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Art By Leah Trow (she/her)
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Liam D page
RDU’S MOOD PAGE
A LOCAL SONG FOR EVERY MOOD. In Ōtautahi, we are lucky to be surrounded by local artists from all walks of life. These talented Cantabrians make great music that caters to every headspace. To listen, open Spotify on your phone, click the camera icon next to the search-bar, choose your mood, hover over the Spotify code, and you’re good to go!
ANGRY:
HUNGRY:
@INTERNETDEATHSHIT
@THOMAS_MUSICY_STUFF
SAD:
ENERGIZED:
@THERES.A.TUESDAY
@THE_BUTLERSMUSIC @ANDYGETSET
RELAXED:
LONELY:
@ONE_WAKA
@MODELHOMENZ
HORNY:
HAPPY:
@JEDPARSONS
@GLASSVAULTS @INSTANTFANTASY
FUCCKK! - INTERNET DEATH
NORTH WING - THERE’S A TUESDAY
ORIGINS - ONE WAKA
PLAYSTATION & PORN - JED PARSONS
SOUP - THOMAS ISBISTER
CATS ON THE CLIFF - THE BUTLERS (GETSET REMIX)
NEW YORK IS THATAWAY, MAN - MODEL HOME
PURE IMAGINATION - GLASS VAULTS & INSTANT FANTASY
Gig Guide
PLANNING A GIG? WANT CANTA TO PROMOTE IT?
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
SBK PRESENTS BOY
RELEASE PARTY FT CHISEL & SPECIAL GUESTS
GIG STARTERS - CHRISTCHURCH Friday, 26 March, 4:00pm Beatbox Studios, 270 St Asaph Street An intro to all-ages music events, with a seminar and workshop followed by a live performance. Designed as an introduction for young people to create and produce all-ages live music shows, the Gig Starters up-skilling event will kick off with a 4pm seminar featuring a panel of industry professionals, a local recording artist and a production technician (sound and/or lighting) discussing the basics of putting on your own all-ages gig. This event is brought to you by NZ Music Commission.
S a t u r d a y , 2 7 M a r c h , 1 0 : 0 0 p m Hide, 172 St Asaph Street SBK Recordings return to Christchurch for the follow-up of last year’s massive Expired Release Party at Hide. This time they are celebrating the Release of ‘Boy’ / ‘Delusions’ by Ōtautahi resident, Chisel. Once again, they have a devastating and diverse line-up featuring regulars: T-Bone + Reflect Reaction (T_Flexx) - Hound & Alto Monika - Intake Plus these special guests: Shortball (AKL) - MJ Jacked Crew (WAN) - Hosted by Oblisk MC Tickets: Presales $10, Final Release $20 via Cosmic
Tickets: Free registration via Eventbrite
MEGAHOWLER PRESENTS: GIG STARTERS - CHRISTCHURCH Friday, 26 March, 4:00pm Beatbox Studios, 270 St Asaph Street One of New Zealand’s most renowned DJ and producers has landed back in her homeland! She brings with her two recently released tracks and a swag bag of heavyhitting dancefloor heaters. Based in Melbourne, Aroha’s signature sounds have seen her play alongside the likes of Kaytranada, Ben UFO, Heidi, Troyboi, Breakbot, and Chase & Status. Closer to home, we’ve seen her play prime-time sets at our very own Rhythm & Vines, Northern Bass, Homegrown and more. So set your alarm, dust off your dancing shoes and get ready to have your mornings remixed. Nab a ticket now for Ōtautahi’s new favourite way to start the day. Alcohol-free, dress to sweat. Tickets: $20 via Eventbrite
THE AFTER AFTER AFTER PARTY
Friday, 9 April, 9:00pm Darkroom, 336 St Asaph Street Megahowler & friends present the After After After Party! A night of music with The Mulls, Model Home and the act formerly known as The Cheese Rolls (aka Megahowler) Tickets: $10 door sales
THE DOLL MC NZ TOUR 2021 Saturday, 17 April, 8:00pm Space Academy, 371 St Asaph Street Formed in Charteris Bay under lock and key during 2020, Doll MC is set to have an exciting year! The Doll MC delivers fizzy and harmonic Garage/ Punk with cavernous drums and indulgent pseudophilosophical subject matters. Their debut record, ‘Superconductor’, will be performed live along with special guests. Tickets: $15 via Undertheradar
Elvis Sandwich
FOOD
TIME C A PSU L
I SSU E 1 1 M AY 30 , 2 0 07
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Lucky Dip is the longest running segment in CANTA. Each issue, we set two people up on a blind date and they record their experiences. These anecdotes are as they come; unedited. WANT TO GO ON A BLIND DATE FOR LUCKY DIP? APPLY FOR LUCKY DIP ON OUR WEBSITE
dipper one Blind dating, definitely not something I have ever considered. After some negotiating with my friends, we all decide to be courageous and apply. Why not? A few days later, Liam from CANTA texts me regarding my interest. Surely not me! I had no idea what to expect from this experience. Was he going to be a breather or a real lad? Was I going to know him? I decided that an open mind would be the best approach to the unknown ahead. As I walked into Otto, I saw a table for two with a reserved sign. There sat my date, long brown curly hair and a warm smile. We greeted each other with a hug and started with the initial conversations of what we studied and where we both came from. He was a year younger than me, #cradlesnatcher, and studied game design. Saying I have minimal knowledge of gaming would be an understatement. He then told me of his internship working with some of the technology used at The America’s Cup, which I was interested to hear more about.
I tried to encourage him to talk more about himself and his interests. Unfortunately, there weren’t many. Our similarities were few and far between; music wouldn’t be something we could share. I wasn’t convinced his electronic music, and my Van Morrison would complement each other on a couple’s road trip playlist. He took a stab in the dark and guessed I was into 2000’s boy bands, to be fair, this assumption was pretty accurate. I am definitely partial to a bit of Westlife from time to time. He was a sweet soul, and we shared some laughs, got on pretty well and our conversation flowed easily. After some time, we tidied up the conversation and headed our separate ways. As a whole, it was a pleasant hour and a half but unfortunately not my cup of tea. I am still waiting on my Marlborough high country stallion to join me in our episode of Country Calendar. I am glad I accepted CANTA’s blind date offer and would encourage others to take a chance and dive into the unknown with an open mind.
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Dipper two First dates are rough, and dating apps don’t make it any easier. I’m no stranger to freezing on contact, awkwardly stumbling through conversations that lead nowhere or discovering the picture my mind had painted of a person was totally wrong. I didn’t expect that this date would be too different, aside for a little less investment and disappointment, but I was pleasantly surprised. My first impression of my date was strong, she was cute, energetic and her smile was contagious! Neither of us knew whether we would need to go up to order so we just started talking. Being naturally quiet I can struggle to drive a conversation with a new person and I will usually end up overthinking every single word that I say. To my relief she left me almost no time to panic, quickly picking up the conversation and making it easy to feel comfortable talking with her! While this energy was endearing and a welcome change for me, I also knew that there was little chance of me managing to maintain the same kind of energy for very long. We soon decided to go up to order our pizza before continuing to talk about everything from studies, travel
and family to our favourite books, movies and activities. Even managing to tactfully navigate highly controversial topics such as our preferred state of drinking water. She always showed interest in what I had to say, at times surprising me with what she managed to pick up on. We had wildly different passions and notably for me she didn’t seem to share in my passion for art and design. However, despite our diverging interests it was nevertheless interesting to me how our values and motivations often seemed to come from a similar place. I genuinely had a great time getting to know her, but there were also times where I would’ve appreciated having a moment to breathe or stay on a topic for a little longer. With the combination of the rapid-fire questions and bright overhead lighting I could imagine an onlooker mistaking the scene for a bit of an interrogation rather than a date. Ultimately, struggling to find much of a meaningful connection, the introvert in me couldn’t see us going on a second date and so, regretfully without exchanging socials, we hugged goodbye.
E SOM E W H E R E T H E R NG IS A V IL L AGE M IS SI T H E IR IDIO T!
UNHAPPY WITH SOMETHING IN THIS EDITION OF CANTA? SEND COMPLAINTS TO LETTERS@CANTA.CO.NZ
Horo-copes HOW ARE YOU COPING?
ARIES
TAURUS
Simply opening the curtains is not the miracle solution to freshening your room. You need to tidy that shit up and open a window, because it’s really starting to stink the whole house out.
CANCER Go try out a new activity. It won’t make you feel any better, you’ll most likely be terrible at it. But you’re lack of skill will amuse someone else and make them feel better.
LIBRA Get off your ass and move.
CAPRICORN Let’s face it, we both know you’re very good at pleasing yourself. Maybe try pleasing someone else for a change, selfish prick.
Yes! That $100 salt lamp will totally solve all your problems.
LEO
GEMINI Go give someone a big hug, go on, you know you want to.
VIRGO I see a community vegetable garden in your future. You must start one, and watch with pride as it bonds your community together. Then passively aggressively observe as you be the only one to grow and maintain it.
SCORPIO Be more aware of the people around you. If you notice that those around you are a little down in the dumps, leave them alone. It’s your vibe that is ruining their day.
AQUARIUS Do it. You’ve been looking for a sign, this is it. Do it.
You’ve been parked at procrastination station for a little too long, hun. You know that whole ‘timemanagement’ thing? Yeah you need to sort that, otherwise you’re fucked.
SAGITTARIUS Alright smartass, stop thinking with that big brain of yours. Try thinking with your heart for once, people might realize you have a personality.
PISCES Hey, chill out. Run the bath, light some candles and relaaaaaaax. That was a solid 5 minutes of work you did, you’ve earned that break.
