Nexus 24 2015

N.24 N.23 / V.47

20 

Summer Beats by J 

Beats by J returns to Nexus with hot 

recommendations for your summer 

playlists! Chilling, partying or road 

tripping — We’ve got your back! 

22 

16 

Summer Getaways 

We asked our contributors for their 

recommendations on summer getaways. Some 

are perfect for daytrips during study break (it’s 

important to relax in the sunshine!), and others 

are more like week-long celebration destinations 

for post-semester party season. 

Summer Lovin’ 

‘Summer fling’ screams romantic 

sunsets and long walks on the beach, 

holding hands and smooching. Nexus’ 

Single Girl, Emma Nygard, takes us on 

a journey into her Grease inspired teen 

romance fantasies. Turns out the reality 

is a lot more High School Musical than 

Sandy getting the D. 

4 

4 

NEXUS NEWS 

Nexus News: A Revision Session 

28 

A FASHIONABLE LIFESTYLE 

A Fashionable Lifestyle 2015 

Editor Brittany Rose 

editor@nexusmag.co.nz 

6 

Before Exams 

WSU: A Year in Review 

29 

THE SINGLE LIFE 

Design Olivia Paris 

design@nexusmag.co.nz 

Single Life 2015 

Deputy Editors Alix Higby, Jules Craft 

30 

HE PUNA KŌRERO 

Te Pua Wānanga ki Te Ao Showcase 

Managing Editor James Raffan 

News Editor Sam Marelich 

35 COOKING FOR STUDENTS 

Shish Kebabs 

30 

31 

32 

NEW LOCALS 

Diary of an Outsider 

AUNTY SLUT 

Cuckold Keen 

#SELFIEMYMUG 

How to Get Cheaper Coffee 

Contributors Chris Reive, Chris Kader, 

Jared Wooldridge, Caitlin Orton, Hp, Peter 

Dornauf, Dr. Richard Swainson, Shannon 

Stewart, Rachael Elliot, Alix Higby, Grace 

Archer, Dayna East, Johnny Ryan, Emma 

Nygard, Jess Wilson, Taha Tangitu-Huata, 

Aunty Slut, Shalini Guleria, Jo Wrigley, 

Zac Lyon 

Photography Olivia Paris, Alix Higby 

33 

TRAVEL 

A Little Bit of Laos 

Advertising Andrew James 

aj@wsu.org.nz 

09 

12 

REVIEWS 

ENTERTAINMENT 

Offices 

Ground Floor, Student Union Building 

Gate One, University of Waikato 

Knighton Road, Hamilton 

14 

15 

ARTS 

AUTEUR 

Online 

nexusmag.co.nz 

facebook.com/nexusNZ 

@nexusmag 

Spotify: nexusmagazine 

36 

SNAPPED 

37 

BLIND DATE 

ISSUE 24 

26 

YOUR SPACE 

12 OCTOBER 2015 

40 

PUZZLES 

Get Out of Town: Ngaruawahia 

SUMMER

Editorial NEXUS MAGAZINE 

SUMMER!!! 

Brittany Rose 

Summer is my favourite. Not just my favourite season, but my 

favourite fullstop. Everything I love happens in summer: the sun 

stays out later (ty daylight savings), I have my birthday party, 

and floral prints and maxi dresses come into season. Much to 

my disgust, the majority of my recent summers have been spent 

inside a mall. Gross. The reality of totally killing it as a sales-bitch 

means lots of new season clothes at a discount, but no fucking 

time in the sunlight. It’s soul-crushing to lock up the store at 9pm, 

walk across Claudelands Bridge at dusk, and see a newsfeed full 

of bikini selfies and is-it-legs-or-hotdogs-on-the-beach posts. 

To any of you being forced into retail slavery over the summer 

break: you have my sympathy. And probably a vitamin D 

deficiency. Good luck with that. 

Not to brag, but this year I don’t have to endure mall summer — I 

get real summer! Well, uni summer. I’ve enrolled in a T Semester 

paper — my first Summer School paper — and I am so ready to 

spend sunny days chilling on campus in cute shorts and my new 

sandals instead of inside an artificially lit, air conditioned hell hole. 

For me, summer’s about taking it easy, eating strawberries and 

cooling off in a paddling pool... and that’s just what I’ll be doing. 

Here’s a few tips for enjoying summer: 

• If you’re heading back to whatever part of the country you 

crawled in from, or going on a road trip, remember your 

sunnies for the ride. 

• If you’re staying in Hamilton, leave the poor Te Awa staff 

alone on Boxing Day. 

• Put sunscreen on before sunbathing. No explanation needed. 

• Learn to swim or put on water wings before drunk-swimming 

in the ocean (if you haven’t been a tipsy mermaid yet then 

you’re missing out. Skinny dip at the same time and kill two 

birds with one stone). Not that I’m encouraging irresponsible 

behaviour (I am). 

Unfortunately, this is the last Nexus issue for 2015. Rather than 

getting all retrospective and nostalgic (boring) we’re going out 

with a bang (Oh! I just remembered that Guy Fawkes happens in 

summer too!). This week I’m disappointed in Beats by J for not 

including Lady Gaga’s 2007 Summerboy in his summer themed 

playlists, our contributors share the best getaway spots they 

know of, and Emma Nygard talks summer flings for the single girl. 

One last thing. Lana Del Rey is deluded — there’s no such thing 

as sadness in the summertime. 

1

NEXUS MAGAZINE Lettuce 

NEWS101 

Rowan Doyle 

Lorde Interview 

Not Lorde 

Having read the recent article on whether or not certain dogs are more or less 

dangerous than others and watching Facebook after recent events in Oregon, it is 

clear a similar issue is apparent for firearms. 

Recently, many people have said something along the lines of “firearms are 

dangerous”, however, a firearm is only a piece of metal. A human needs to load 

it, cock it, aim it and pull the trigger for it to become dangerous. Yes, firearms are 

used in homicides, but some people drive drunk, does this mean nobody should 

be allowed to own a car? 

Another common misconception that is frequently stated is “if you make guns 

illegal, shootings will drop” there are multiple flaws in this statement, for example 

methamphetamine is illegal, but regularly used. Criminals do not follow the law, 

therefore any changes made to firearms law will only have an affect on law abiding 

citizens and criminals will have a monopoly on firearms. this will result in even 

more problems. There is also a multitude of information available on how to make 

your own firearm from items found at any hardware store (i won’t cite these for 

obvious reason’s but you can look it up) 

People have also agitated for a limit on magazine capacities, however changing 

a magazine takes such little time that anybody carrying multiple magazines can 

discharge any given number of rounds with only a thew seconds difference from 

a high capacity magazine.(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCSySuemiHU) 

Assault rifle bans have also been agitated for. The problem with this statement 

is that to be classified as an assault rifle, it needs to have select fire capabilities 

(semi automatic or fully automatic)(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assault_rifle). 

such firearms are already illegal. the commonly targeted AR15 is a mil-spec semi 

automatic, the AR stands for armalite, the company that makes them. Along a 

similar vein is the argument to restrict mil-spec firearms as being more dangerous, 

however being shot with a 223 sporting rifle or a 223 mil-spec rifle will have the 

exact same outcome, regardless of a freestanding pistol grip, a flash suppressor, a 

collapsible stocks or bayonet lugs. 

People have also stated that New Zealand has never had a mass shooting or a 

school shooting and pointed out the large number of homicides that occur in 

the USA. Firstly, New Zealand has had 2 mass shooting events, the Stanley Grey 

shootings in Hokitika(1941) and the Aramoana massacre(1990). There has also 

been a school shooting in Waikino (1923). Although on the surface, the number 

of murders in the states may seem high, as a percentage of all reported deaths, 

homicides only account for 0.6%. in New Zealand, that number is 0.9%. Access 

to firearms is not the problem(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aramoana_massacre) 

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Graham#The_day_of_the_rampage) 

(http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10899013) 

(http://webappa.cdc.gov/sasweb/ncipc/mortrate10_us.html) 

(http://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/publications/crime-statsnational-20141231.pdf) 

In closing, the shooter in Oregon had no prior criminal record and if he was in New 

Zealand, he would have been eligible for a firearms licence. The firearms used at 

Aramoana, kowhitirangi, waikino, Hungerford, Port Arthur and Dunblane were all 

legally owned by licensed individuals. increasing regulation will not prevent mass 

shootings and banning firearms alltogether simply will not work. The only reason 

america has significantly more shootings than other parts of the world is because 

it is a significantly larger country with a significantly larger population. 

Could you please do an interview with Lorde. I feel like she is really coming 

of age and at this point in her life I feel like we should know what she’s going 

through because the final stages of puberty aren’t easy and I think she 

should encourage young women to be comfortable with their newfound 

sexuality and frequency of periods. It took me five years to get a monthly 

cycle it’s really hard please can Lorde talk about this. 

Moment-No! 

Vicky Jackson 

Thank you momento for removing yet another decadent indecency from 

my life. First exams steal my social life, then ‘sober for October’ steals the 

inTOXICating goodness of a rowdy Saturday night... and now you go and 

make $2 coffees $2.50. I get it, its only 50c extra per coffee, but you know 

what it makes me sad because now I cannot seem super generous by 

shouting my 5 person study group coffees with the $10 note I have. Momento 

you have removed another aspect of goodwill in society. I hope you feel bad! 

Library Elevator 

White Girl 

#whitegirlrantahead but can someone plese fix the Elevator up to the 

student centre? My daily fitness routine is already stretched walking up the 

stairs to L Block and to management, adding on those stairs up to the library 

is just torture. I mean c’mon, as if I needed more excuses not to study in the 

library. The inevitability of having a person sit next to you with the loudest 

mastication ever is already enough of a deterrent. Plus it is always awkward 

when you are walking up the stairs with a classmate and end up puffing like 

a chain smoking truck driver between rushed sentences. You already take all 

my money UoW please don’t take my dignity as well. But #realtalk what are 

we doing for our lesser able students? Are they confined to those terrible 

winding ramps that would make someone dizzier than those spinny things 

at the park. What if it rains? Shell out the extra couple of G and get it fixed! 

Disclaimer Letters published contain the opinion of the writer and 

the writer alone. Nexus publications take no responsibility for the 

content or opinions so expressed. By submitting your letter you 

give consent to its publication in Nexus and subsequent public 

scrutiny. Letters are the authors own work and Nexus will not edit 

to compensate for lack of intelligence or coherency. Nexus reserves 

the right to edit or refuse to publish any letter which breaches any 

law, is defamatory to any person, or contains threats of violence or 

hate speech. Email your lettuce to lettuce@nexusmag.co.nz 

2 N.24 / V.47 SUMMER

News from the University NEXUS MAGAZINE 

AGRI-SCHOLAR 

Science student Ashleigh Weatherall 

won a $10,000 Whānui Scholarship 

for Agriculture that supports Māori to 

be leaders in the agribusiness sector. 

ONYA 

FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM 

Social work students Georgea Hinii (left) and Rochelle Doyle (far 

right) are on a 10-week placement in Cambodia to help fight child 

trafficking. 

MAKING THE TEAM 

Waikato Uni rowers Jackie Kiddle 

(left) and Holly Greenslade were 

selected for Rowing New Zealand’s 

Summer Squad. 

INTERNING IN GERMANY 

FINAL COUNTDOWN 

Engineering student Rochelle Molina 

has won a DAAD scholarship to do a 

research internship in Germany. 

Husband and wife duo Ku Marsilla and Raa Khimi both submitted 

their hard-bound PhD theses on the same day — and they have 

two little kids! 

Full stories available on the University website. Got a story to share? Email meganb@waikato.ac.nz — thanks to those who’ve sent in their stories. 

YOUR SUMMER STARTS HERE 

Want to speed up your degree, catch up 

or try something new? Summer school 

kicks off on 9 November and there are 

lots of papers to choose from in Hamilton, 

Tauranga or online. Discuss your options at 

your faculty reception, the Student Centre, 

Hamilton, or the Information Centre at 

Windermere Campus or Bongard Centre, 

Tauranga. More info at waikato.ac.nz/ 

study/enrolsummer/ 

WE’RE HIRING 

Do you like working with people and want a 

flexible job that works around your study? 

We’re looking for a group of enthusiastic 

students to be paid Student Ambassadors 

for 2016. Student Ambassadors represent 

the University at events around the country 

and meet prospective students and their 

parents to tell them about everything 

Waikato has to offer. Apply now at 

waikato.ac.nz/go/ambassadors 

WHAT TO DO NEXT YEAR… 

Thinking about postgrad study? Come to 

an info session in Hamilton on Thursday 

8 October, 5-6.30pm, Academy of 

Performing Arts, or Tauranga on Tuesday 

3 November, 5.30-7pm, Tauranga ASB 

Arena, to find out about your options 

and ask questions. 

NEED TO KNOW 

TO BUS OR NOT TO BUS 

VOLUNTEER TUTORS NEEDED 

CV UP TO SCRATCH? 

How do you get to campus, and is this likely 

to change with the introduction of parking 

charges next year? Share your thoughts to 

help inform future planning by taking the 

University’s Commuting Questionnaire at 

bit.ly/1h4weGL — it only takes a few minutes. 

Help undergrad students ace their exams 

by volunteering as a tutor or study helper 

at Golden Key’s drop-in sessions during 

study break — register your availability at 

bit.ly/1L7xG7g 

Create a CV that stands out and gets you 

noticed. Come to a CV writing workshop in 

Hamilton on Tuesday 13 October, 10-11am, 

Level 1 Student Centre, or in Tauranga 

on Thursday 15 October, 12-1pm, A01, 

Windermere Campus. 

Go to iWaikato or Student eNews for more information and other need-to-knows.

NEXUS MAGAZINE News 

NEXUS 

NEWS 

NEWS FEATURE – NGA PITOPITO KŌRERO 

NEXUS NEWS: A REVISION SESSION BEFORE EXAMS 

Sam Marelich and James Raffan 

In what will be the first of a series of retrospectives, we look back at some of 

the stories we have covered in 2015. Hopefully to shed some new light on the 

developing nature of some of the articles that we wrote about once or twice 

and then abandoned like a one night stand. Some of these stories have real and 

substantive change, others leave us a little dead inside. These are the stories 

that affected us this year… 

Dearly Departed 

The WSU said goodbye to their events manager prior to B-Semester Orientation. 

He will soon be joined by Operations and Services Manager Pene Delaney. Pene is 

a former WSU and NZUSA President, A two term SJS Chairman and a life member 

of all three organisations. His jokes will not be missed on production day. 

The WSU Board also had their share of departures. Last year’s beaten Presidential 

Candidate Tau Marsden dismissed himself for family reasons while Teina Walters 

was bounced for not showing up to the first three meetings without notifying 

anyone, a fate that would later be shared by Sophie Miller who forgot to put her 

apologies into the board whilst teaching in Raratonga. Finally, Vice-President Roy 

Mazarodze informed the board around the Semester break that he would not be 

returning due to personal reasons. All of these led to the appointment of Kale, 

Jadeine and Charlotte and the elevation of Kate Lunn to VP. 

Nexus also saw two big departures this year. Jess proved good enough at her job 

that Auckland stole her mid print run and Nexus stalwart and former Editor, Co- 

Editor and Digital Editor Alix Higby is departing and graduating (!!!). We will miss 

them both and although neither departure is really related to this story we felt it 

was a good place to do it and it’s the last issue. 

Refugee Crisis in New Zealand/Central Europe/Pretty Much the Rest of the World 

When Elaine, Sam and Alix first covered this story a month ago it was with a degree 

of hope and an understanding that we needed to do more. It also highlighted 

a willingness by people in this country to do exactly that. Shayma’a Arif of 

Humanitarian Relief Waikato and Tim O’Donovan of the Salvation Army both 

talked about a non political effort to help people. Nexus joined with the masses 

in calling for our government to do more to solve one of the largest humanitarian 

crisis of the 21st century. 

A month later and there is still a feeling of hopelessness and despair. Recently 

the Russian government broadened its definition of terrorism to include anyone 

who disagrees with the Assad regime and started to destroy the camps of rebel 

insurgents instead of ISIL troops. It’s a pretty sure bet that this won’t elevate the 

flood of people leaving their homeland in search of a better life. 

While things don’t appear to be getting any better soon some comfort is offered 

by the United Nations forming a kickstarter for Syrian refugee aid last week. 

You can find out more by visiting www.kickstarter.com/aidrefugees 

The Year of The Underdog, The Really Racist, Sexist, Underdog 

When the year started we were greeted with Donald Trump descending from an 

escalator to announce that he was running for President to “Make America Great 

Again” and drive out all the Mexican criminals and rapists by building a big wall 

and having Mexico pay for it. 

Instantly Sam Marelich and James Raffan fell in love with the idea of a Trump 

Presidential race because no one thought for a second we would still be talking 

about it in October. 


News NEXUS MAGAZINE 

Yet here we are in October and Trump is holding a commanding but slightly 

declining lead — 13 points in most polls — over the other unexpected outsider, 

evangelical Neurosurgeon Dr Ben Carson. On the democratic side the inevitability 

of Hillary 2016 was shaken by scandal over email servers and a continued effort to 

discredit her. In the search for an alternative young voters have turned to Bernie 

Sanders, a 72 year-old socialist. 

It’s a reasonable bet that should the world end in the next eight years it’s going to 

be because too many Americans thought it would be funny to have a president 

that would say “You’re Fired” to China. 

The T.P.P Agreement 

We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement 

in this retrospective. It has dominated our news coverage from day one and it 

looks likely to continue that trend through at least part of 2016. 

A week ago it seemed that the major sticking point would be dairy tariffs 

that would crush our country’s rockstar primary industry. As it turns out the 

government decided fuck that and just signed the thing anyway. 

It still has to get through an approval phase in the US congress which might be 

tough given even the four leading Presidential Candidates are against it. It is 

also conditional on the Canadian government “taking one for the team”. There 

is a gathering of Anti TPPA people in Hamilton’s garden place organised for this 

Saturday should you feel compelled to join in you can find it on Facebook under 

the heading “We are the People — TPPA Action Concert” 

Paid Parking 

Like the first shitty day of autumn that comes way too quickly, paid parking will 

come into effect on February 1 2016. Arriving just in time to wreck your bank 

balance prior to O-Week, it’s something we haven’t been able to stop, with WSU 

President Shannon Stewart conceding “unfortunately, there was nothing we could 

do to stop paid parking, but I have been around the table trying to minimise the 

negative effects on students as much as we can.” A pay by plate system has been 

confirmed and will be in place for use from the get go. “The pay by plate system 

should help students in terms of convenience and ease of use” she continued. 

“Many students were worried about having to find kiosks in the middle of campus 

and walking back and forth to pay for the permits and put them in the car. This 

would have added insult to injury, especially if students are late for class or stuck 

in the rain”. 

The system will be connected with a student’s Waikato ID and be paid for at one 

of a number of kiosks around campus. At these kiosks students will select the time 

frame that they wish to pay for from one day, one week or one semester and their 

licence plate will be connected and tracked from here. Extensive signage will be 

seen around the parking areas to remind and inform parkers of the changes and 

more information will be confirmed in the next few weeks. 

David Cameron Proves that the T in BLT Stands for Tory 

Taking pork barrel politics to the next level, David Cameron has come under fire for 

by inserting his genitalia into the conversation. Allegations in a new unauthorised 

biography suggested the right honourable Mr Cameron got a gobbie from a dead 

pig. The incident, which allegedly happened during initiations into an elite group 

at Oxford University. While this is not a new story or something we have covered 

in the last few weeks we felt this was our last chance for the year to talk about a 

Prime Minister fucking a pig. Suddenly the shit they get up to over in College Hall 

doesn’t seem quite so scary. 

NZUSA IS Still Not Getting Our Money 

Rory McCourt came a courting WSU and from what we can gather the board have 

told him to go away like a spurned ex-girlfriend still trying to make the relationship 

work. This one will probably carry on into 2016 if NZUSA actually has the capacity 

or the will to make it do so. NZUSA have as far as we can tell had no actual contact 

with the Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce but according to McCourt this 

was by design. 

The National Party Does Some Great Stuff for Students 

Nah just kidding. 

5

NEXUS MAGAZINE News 

NEWS – KAWEPŪRONGO 

WSU: A YEAR IN REVIEW 

Sam Marelich 

The Waikato Students’ Union. You’ve probably had it explained to you — these 

are the people who bring O-Week, Nexus, Advocacy, Clubs support and yet 

another round of elections every year. Now, you might be a bit disappointed that 

the Waikato O-Week isn’t quite as exciting as what they have in Otago, or that 

you don’t actually see much of the WSU at any other point in the year. Despite a 

seat on the Governing Council of the University, students weren’t able to stop the 

introduction of paid parking. As the organisation has moved into a service focused 

environment, there is the potential threat of censorship to protect organisation 

funding (provided from the University to the WSU). After a year of reporting on 

the issues that matter most to students (paid parking, student loan provisions and 

tutor pay), the question has to be asked — for all the talk of student representation, 

what good is it doing you? 

Unlike faculty specific groups such as WULSA or WMSSA, the Waikato Students’ 

Union employs professional staff to support them and to deliver various services 

(such as advocacy, clubs support and events on campus). Although representation 

occurs through an elected student Board of Directors, meeting minutes for any 

Board meeting after May 26 are currently unavailable to the public, making it 

difficult to determine what the Board have done in the past four months. 

The Board of Directors are publicly accountable to the students who elect 

them, with yearly elections and Board compensation set at an Annual General 

Meeting. However the finances and accountability of the organisation itself are 

much less transparent for the average student to decipher. At the 2015 Annual 

General Meeting there were accounts for both 2013 and 2014. Unfortunately there 

is no provision in the constitution that gives the general public information on 

expenditure tracking for the year to date. The documents were available only 

hours before the event, giving students no time to properly read and review. 

WSU President Shannon Stewart said, “the organisation is not running as 

effectively as it should be. We are and always have done great work, but in the 

past few years things have fallen through the cracks. We need to fix this.” 

Last year Board honoraria was cut by $23,000 with the provision that this would be 

spent following consultation with students. To date no consultation has occurred. 

Draft minutes from a recent Board meeting held September 21st saw unanimous 

motions passed that give the President, Vice-President and Vice-President Maori 

permission to seek independent advice on the function and efficiency of the 

organisation. 

Following conversations with senior management staff and directors, it can be 

confirmed that an operational review is also being undertaken independent of the 

Board’s own enquiry. 

General Manager Dave West explained to Nexus that this was partly a routine 

review of resources and functions, and partly a response to the expectations of 

the reduced budget approved at the AGM. Article 16 in the WSU constitution sets 

out the authority of the General Manager and reads: 

16.1 The Board shall have and is hereby given power over and control of all 

business, finance and activities of the Association in accordance with these rules. 

16.2 The Board may employ a General Manager to conduct the administration and 

operational aspects of the Association’s business. 

16.3 The Board may delegate to the General Manager authority to employ staff 

and authorise expenditure on the Board’s behalf. 

As the academic year comes to a close and a new Board of Directors is elected, the 

WSU face a challenging 2016. Income is projected to fall with Nexus receiving less 

advertising income than expected, and concerns have been raised that question 

the organisation’s ability to continue to deliver the same level of service provision. 

The 2015 Board of Directors has seen extensive turnover, with Vice President Roy 

Mazorodze and directors Sophie Millar, Teina Walters and Tau Marsden stepping 

down over the course of the year. 

Alright, that’s us for the year. Nexus news out. 


Sports NEXUS MAGAZINE 

SPORTS OPINION – PITOPITO KORERO HAKINAKINA 

HIGH FIVE – NGA TAKE E RIMA 

2015 SPORTING MOMENTS 

Japan vs South Africa RWC Win 

This will be one of the most memorable results in 

Rugby World Cup history for years to come. Up the 

Cherry Blossoms! 

American Pharoah Takes out the Triple Crown 

We only ever hear about American Horse Racing 

during the Triple Crown (Kentucky Derby, Preakness 

Stakes, and Belmont Stakes). American Pharoah 

became the first horse in 37 years to win all three. 

SPORTS! 

Chris Reive 

Where has the year gone? It seems like just yesterday that I was writing about how 

amazing Tim Southee was for the Black Caps in the Cricket World Cup. 

Clichés aside, this will be my final piece as a Nexus contributor. So this week is 

simple — why do we love sports? And what’s coming up for you to look forward to? 

If you read my piece last week, you’ll have taken on my oh-so scientific explanation 

about how sports make you feel happier. But aside from releasing endorphins, 

sports can be outlets for other emotions — stress, frustration, irritation, so on and 

so forth. 

My personal favourite release is making others irritated during the game, and then 

having a bit of a laugh when they begin to show it. Great fun. 

Mick Fanning

NEXUS MAGAZINE Left vs. Right 

RETROSPECTIVE LEFT VS RIGHT 

In their last chance to sway readers one way or the other, Left vs Right recap the highlights and lowlights of 2015’s political landscape. 

LEFT – MAUI 

RIGHT – MATAU 

When reviewing the year so far, from the perspective of what has been written 

in this side of this feature, it’s impossible to ignore the influence of having a 

third term National government in power. That amount of time spent in power, 

coupled with a highly popular figurehead and lilliputian support parties at 

the table, has coloured the kind of — usually negative — developments I have 

written about. 

From sucking up to the Great Powers with the mini-militarism of the now 

seemingly forgotten Taji deployment and “get some guts”, to the calculated 

rollbacks of workplace safety, workers rights and public ownership. The toxic 

combination of staying-power and hegemony, coupled with the knowledge 

that — despite all indications of opposition weakness — it can’t last forever, has 

emboldened the government to act on its ideological bread and butter while 

the going is good. 

At the parliamentary level, and prior to the sudden recent surge in left electoral 

movements, the same has been true for the rest of the Anglophone world, with 

right-wing governments pushing their agendas hard. 

Despite all this, the news has been far from all bad, the recently finalised 

TPP ‘free trade’ deal and its Transatlantic cousin the TTIP have awoken an 

international network of protest groups and ordinary citizens who have been 

politicised, which will undoubtedly lead to productive troublemaking down the 

line. A similar process on an even deeper level can be seen in Europe where the 

vicious containment and neutering of parliamentary answers to austerity and 

financial crisis like Syriza have only created a strengthened strain of popular 

organisation and protest which will probably prove much more difficult for 

entrenched power to grapple with when the next wave of dissent comes. 

The surprise campaigns of Bernie Sanders in the US and especially Jeremy Corbyn 

in the UK are the shadow of that looming discontent with business as usual. 

Despite major wins for the right on trade, work, the environment and virtually 

everything else, it’s the sense that we’re still living in the time of movements, 

protest and experimentation that the Great Recession has opened up, and have 

yet to see where it will take us, that most stands out about 2015 so far. 

Despite a year of doom and gloom, right wing parties have proven incredibly 

resilient around the world. The National party had an altogether average year, 

with very few meaningful policy wins. The TPP might have been signed, but it’s 

not the trade bonanza that had been hoped, and it doesn’t appear to be the 

harbinger of the apocalypse that was promised by every left winger (minus 

Helen Clark and Barack Obama inconveniently enough). 

Locally, the Labour party have continued their tradition of doing very little, 

with New Zealand First and the Green Party dominating as the real voices of 

opposition. Aside from bungling around the whole housing crisis and selling out 

the unions that they used to represent, Labour haven’t really had any new jobs, 

although channelling Don Brash’s campaign recently (condemning National’s 

priorities as flags & and pandas, while Labour focuses on jobs) was a nice touch. 

As is fast becoming tradition, Australia decided they were a bit sick of their 

current Prime Minister, so Tony Abbott got the boot, with the more reasonable 

Malcolm Turnbull mounting a successful leadership challenge. The brutal 

Australian asylum centres (child abuse and widespread suicide anyone?), were 

widely praised in parts of the world as the Syrian Refugee Crisis hit a high point 

and countries including Denmark looked at stopping the speed of this mass 

migration. As is typical, New Zealand continued its proud tradition of avoiding 

the issue altogether — although (hypocritically) we cared a bit about it when 

it involved our own citizens. All people are created equally, unless they aren’t 

like us apparently. 

In the UK the Tories won an election (by a landslide) that they were supposed 

to lose. Always suckers for punishment, the UK Labour party decided to help 

ensure David Cameron wins the next election, with the appointment of far 

left MP Jeremy Corbyn as leader of the opposition. Like Bernie Sanders, the 

democratic socialist who is whipping up support across America, Corbyn is a 

member of the far left. The policies they promise are excellent — free healthcare, 

jobs for all and a generous welfare state — excellent ideas, but very expensive 

(although this is a convenient detail that is often excluded). 

2016 will be one to watch. Right now the key to success appears to be hands of 

government, without the radical changes that the left are so sure we need. It’s 

going to be interesting to see how this develops. 


Reviews NEXUS MAGAZINE 

FILM REVIEW – AROTAKENGA KIRIATA 

FILM REVIEW – AROTAKENGA KIRIATA 

THE MARTIAN 

Jared Wooldridge 

13 MINUTES 

Richard Swainson 

Like science? How about space? What’s your opinion on Matt 

Damon? And are you interested in his feces? If you respond 

positively to all of these questions, then I suggest you go and 

see The Martian. Mind you, that last one might only make sense in 

context, but regardless, The Martian is top-notch sci-fi. It has all 

the ingredients that make films like this and Interstellar such huge 

hits, and delivers them all in a gorgeous way. Space is very sexy. 

Datt Mamon is the main focus of the movie (that’s an intentional 

spelling error, much like Rark Muffalo), as astronaut/botanist 

Mark Watney. He’s having a bit of a rough go of it, as he’s been 

left behind on an expedition to Mars, and has to survive on 

Mars while NASA finds a way to bring him back. It is genuinely 

entertaining watching the many inventive techniques he uses 

to keep himself alive, from disco music to the aforementioned 

feces. Datt Mamon really lets you buy into Watney’s struggles, 

and whenever things go a bit pear-shaped, it is genuinely quite 

harrowing to watch. 

Of course, we also have numerous scenes set on Earth, following 

the people trying to get him back, but these parts aren’t 

as exciting. Plus, what with a gorgeously rendered martian 

environment, and some great space action, the material on 

Earth does drag the movie in places. Even so, these scenes do 

help propel the film along to its nail-biting climax. It’s a classic 

modern sci-fi blockbuster, much like Interstellar, and if you loved 

that movie, you’re sure to love The Martian. 

The true story of Georg Elser’s attempt to assassinate Adolf 

Hitler is surely one of history’s great “what ifs”. Acting alone and 

without any definite political allegiance, on the very eve of World 

War II’s escalation the carpenter-cum-musician came within 13 

minutes of blowing up not only Der Fuhrer, but Himmler, Hess, 

Goebbels and other members of the Nazi hierarchy. 

Having made Downfall a decade ago, director Oliver Hirschbiegel 

has experience with Hitler tales. That said, 13 Minutes is a 

character study of the assassin, not the target. Beginning with 

Elser’s planting of the bomb — a gripping sequence — we 

discover his back story after his arrest, during his interrogation. 

Intriguingly, this non-linear structure places the audience 

in the same position as Nazi torturers, albeit with a greater 

commitment to the truth. 

Fascinating, sobering and ultimately just sad, Hirschbiegel’s film 

manages to both construct Elser as a hero and acknowledge the 

innocent victims he killed. Whilst his actions bear comparison 

to today’s Muslim extremists, the collateral damage is the 

type rationalised during military actions the world over. Elser’s 

vendetta against Hitler was entirely utilitarian — kill him and 

you save lives — and ironically enough his reasoning inspired a 

similar commitment years later by one of his interrogators. 

My only real criticism is that the details of Elser’s later incarceration 

are glossed over. Allowed to live through the bulk of the war and 

the Holocaust, did he fully comprehend the consequences of his 

failure? There was more to say on this matter. 

9

NEXUS MAGAZINE Reviews 

FOOD REVIEW – AROTAKENGA KAI 

MCDONALD’S FRANKTON: CREATE YOUR TASTE 

Caitlin Orton 

Apparently, investing $250,000 into upgrading a restaurant 

doesn’t mean that they won’t forget to add your guacamole. At 

the end of the day it’s only a scoop of mushed up avocado and 

tomato, so why does it bother be so much? 

Despite the obvious advertising all over the building, six out 

of the seven brand new digital kiosks were free. Now I like to 

think that I am a fairly technologically savvy person, but this 

seemingly simple system baffled me. Browsing through the 

menu options was a mission and a half. There is no way to scroll 

without accidentally tapping on half of the ingredients - I ended 

up missing out on gherkins because of this. A click and drag 

option would have been a lot easier to manoeuvre. 

Mark Rush, the owner of the Frankton McDonald’s claims that, 

“Not only will customers be able to order at digital kiosks and 

have their food delivered to their table, but they can create their 

ultimate burger exactly how they want it. In fact, there are over 

25 million combinations you can choose from.” Well, Mr. Rush, 

it took me a good five minutes to figure out that there was no 

chicken option, so by my standards this was not my, “ultimate 

burger, exactly how [I] want it.” 

The process begins with a $10.90 fee, which takes up three 

quarters of my budget and leaves me with $3.10 to choose 

cheese, salad, sauces and extras. Thank the lord for free basic 

vegetables, that’s all I have to say. Bacon is the most expensive 

extra at $1.50 per serving, with the rest of the options such as 

mushrooms, grilled onions, and guacamole all costing 80c each. 

This is not a budget friendly machine as it doesn’t keep a running 

tally of how much your burger is costing. You either have to pull 

out your phone and calculate as you go, like I did, or wait until 

the end and let your total cost surprise you. I’m not sure if it’s 

justifiable to be angry about losing 80c worth of non-existent 

guacamole. But I’m definitely annoyed. 

I have to admit that the presentation was pretty spot on. 

The burgers look and taste just like the picture perfect 

advertisements and they’re delivered straight to your table - 

fast food with a hint of gourmet flare. Even the waiters have 

donned a brand new uniform, and they delivered the burger on 

a wooden chopping board. 

I was generally impressed with how fresh the ingredients were. 

Goodbye soggy cheeseburgers hello fresh and crispy buns. 

It was fun to do, I’m glad I tried it once. Honestly though, 

considering how expensive it is, you may as well just go to 

BurgerFuel. 


Reviews NEXUS MAGAZINE 

MUSIC REVIEW – AROTAKENGA WAIATA 

BOOK REVIEW – AROTAKENGA PUKAPUKA 

LOST 

BY HARRY PARSONS 

Hp 

THE SECRET HISTORY 

BY DONNA TARTT 

Alix Higby 

TruthFact#1 - Harry Parsons may well be the most talented 

musician in the Waikato under 25. 

TruthFact#2 - Harry Parsons has an EP out called Lost. 

TruthFact#3 – There is absolutely no way of corroborating 

TruthFact#1, but he has to be a contender after winning the solo/ 

duet category of the Smokefree Rockquest in 2013. 

Lost begins with acoustic intricacies and a gentle sweeping 

chorus on opening track, So Far. It reflects Parsons’ deft guitar 

work especially as he punctuates the song with a few percussion 

strikes of his own. But the key to this track, and indeed this EP, is 

not his technical nous, but the feeling pouring out of every line. 

Parsons sounds genuine, even spirited, and that is what makes 

this little five-song collection so good. 

There’s a bluesy element here, even through the sweetness 

of Parson’s voice. He’s seeking for freedom on Cold Woman, 

he’s lonely on Winter Song, and he’s lost on, well… Lost. But he 

manages to keep an upbeat feel in behind the blues the way 

some of the great bluesmen held their heads above water. His 

ability to maintain an optimistic element to these tracks ensures 

his music is encompassing. This is an EP that could accompany a 

lazy Sunday afternoon as easily as a smoky Friday night. It’s that 

appeal, that ability to sound almost eclectic even in five short 

songs based on folk and blues stylings that helps seal Parsons 

as someone the Waikato will try and claim, even if his bandcamp 

does say Auckland. Download for free/koha. 

Here’s a 90s college murder mystery you can sink your summer 

into. I picked this novel up on an empty morning in Queenstown 

and the death and circumstances of Edmund ‘Bunny’ Corcoran 

devoured that entire afternoon. And that’s no spoiler alert, Tartt 

names the victim and calls his friends into question in the opening 

chapter — the how and why hold the mystery. The inverse of 

Pretty Little Liars, with more Latin, classical history, and moody 

intellectual students typical of the Winona Ryder decade. The 

Secret History and its classic outsider narrator, Richard Papen, 

are obsessed with social class, beauty, and guilt (okay, a little 

more like PLL) — all the trappings of the rich upper class and a 

major part of the book’s fantastical allure. The story arc mimics 

its Latin subject matter, transpiring in a modern messed up twist 

on the Greek tragedy that is both creepy and intriguing. 

If you’re not a history major or you couldn’t give a toss about 

dead languages and “culturally superior” characters, then the 

selling points of the novel will be lost on you. However, if you’re 

looking for something a world away from Waikato University in 

the warmer months (jandals and DB), then pick up a Penguin 

Classic version for $13 and see how truly fucked elitist college 

culture can get. You’ll be bittersweetly content you’re a “WaiCat” 

rather than an American Ivy Leaguer. 

11

NEXUS MAGAZINE Entertainment 

HOROSCOPES – WHAKAKITENGA 

Capricorn (December 22 — January 19) 

Don’t you go out in the rain. Don’t go out in the pouring 

rain. Because there won’t be any — summer is officially 

on its way and if Nexus Horoscopes say it then it must be 

true. Unless it’s Tuesday in which case it might be raining. 

Cancer (June 21 — July 22) 

Let sleeping dogs lie. If they still want you in their life they 

will overlook your shortcomings and dumb ass decisions. 

Unless you keep wanking on about how “sorry” you are — 

nobody wanna spend a summer with a guilty fool. 

Aquarius (January 20 — February 18) 

Treat others how you like to be treated. Smile at everyone 

you see because exam time is going to be hard on all. 

Group members of course are excluded, those garden 

slugs have slowed you down too many times this semester. 

Leo (July 23 — August 22) 

What will 2016 bring? LOL WE DON’T KNOW. Tune in 

next year for more thrilling fortune-telling and shittalking, 

but until then — many, many computer-bound 

days are in your future. Stay hydrated. 

Pisces (February 19 — March 20) 

If you ever needed a reason to follow your dreams, this is 

it. THIS IS YOUR SIGN. Cut it out and hang it above your 

bed because you’re headed to the top baby... As soon as 

you finish this breakfast burrito of last night’s leftovers. 

Virgo (August 23 — September 22) 

Wondering where to go from here? Aren’t we all. Our 

summer mission is a tropical beach with palm trees 

and tokenist tourism. Beyond that, it’s up to you. Take a 

breather and read a good, intellectual book. 

Aries (March 21 — April 19) 

Some people don’t know how shit they really are. Does this 

mean it’s not their fault that they’re shit? No. Ignorance is 

never an excuse for poor behaviour. Educate the halfwits: 

“I think you should know, that you’re a piece of shit.” 

Libra (September 23 — October 22) 

Don’t worry about your perpetually single status. It 

doesn’t mean you can’t still score with models, you just 

might need to start caring about something other than 

yourself, like endangered animals or LGBT rights. 

Taurus (April 20 — May 20) 

It’s that time of semester. While it will be tempting to slack 

off on all responsibilities, at least attempt to maintain a 

moderately healthy diet. Dry flavourless noodles are for 

4am my-card-declined-at-Subway emergencies only. 

Scorpio (October 23 — November 21) 

What a cracker of a day. Such a pity you have to spend it 

inside staring out the Level 3 windows wondering how 

people still manage to put on pants. If these people are 

your friends you have permission to kind of hate them. 

Gemini (May 21 — June 20) 

You’ve taken a lot of time off for yourself lately, which is 

good. But too much of a good thing can be dangerously 

self indulgent. Delay that gratification and treat yo’self, 

but only once you’ve written another 400 words, plz. 

Sagittatrius (November 22 — December 21) 

You may think you’re stressed and tired, but try finding 

time to do all the regular things as well as looking to 

the stars each week for Nexus horoscopes. Could you 

handle that too? 

WHAT’S HOT, WHAT’S NOT – NGA MEA PAI, ME NGA MEA KINO 

WHAT’S HOT 

1. The Sun (lol) 

2. 10 weeks until Christmas 

3. Genuine compliments (hint: the 

compliment-giver could be you) 

WHAT’S NOT 

1. Locking yourself up inside bingewatching 

2. Sweating your life away at 12pm 

only to freeze at 8pm 

3. 10 weeks until Boxing Day Sales, 

have fun sales staff 


Entertainment NEXUS MAGAZINE 

PLEASE DON’T QUOTE ME – KAUA AHAU E WHAKAHUATIA MO TĒNĀ 

“PERFECT IS 

BORING. REAL IS 

INTERESTING.” 

– Ashton Kutcher would be the best daddy 

“100% TAKEDOWNS 

DEFENDEDED, LET’S SEE 

THOSE STATS CHANGE” 

– Ronda Rousey shit talking Holly Holm 

“IN BED EATIN 

FLOWERZZZ FWUM 

YOKOOO ONNNO” 

– She’s just being Miley 

TRENDING ON TWITTER – NGA KORERO HIRA O PAE TĪHAU 

#MAKEAMERICAMOREAMERICAN 

Mr. Brightside @Will3K85 · Oct 5 

Let’s see, how bout the punishment for shooting 

unarmed black men being a little more than desk duty 

#MakeAmericaMoreAmerican 

84 176 

Adam McKay @GhostPanther · Oct 5 

Carve roided out neck muscles underneath all the heads 

on Mt. Rushmore. #MakeAmericaMoreAmerican 

37 106 

Mario Speedwagon @SilipigniMario · Oct 5 

#MakeAmericaMoreAmerican Give me a minute- my 

tweet is being made in China. 

39 91 

Evan Leslie Jones @Frodeziac · Oct 5 

#MakeAmericaMoreAmerican GOP debate is now a 

new reality T.V. show called “For The Love Of God” 

53 87 

YIK YAK OF THE WEEK – TE YIK YAK O TE WIKI 

I’m a third year student and 

today for the frist time I got a 

book out of the library... 

26 

BEST OF THE WEB – NGA TINO O TE IPURANGI 

WRITERS WHO INSTAGRAM 

@rupikaur_ 

This “poetess” is the “mother” of 

the book with a cult following: milk 

and honey. Her writing is simple and 

poignant, poems accompanied by 

black and white sketches, while text 

posts are balanced by photography. 

@arthoecollective 

The Art Hoe Collective is a collective 

of hoes who art. It was started by 

QPOC (Queer People Of Colour) and 

was created to “provide a space for all 

creatives of colour”. This Instagram is 

eclectic as fuck: poems, photos and art. 

@karleyslutever 

Mostly photos of Karley being sah 

kewl and totes fuckable, with the 

occasional promo for her Vogue 

column – Breathless. Her blog, 

Slutever, is worth scrolling through if 

you like sex. 

@satiregram 

This anonymous “epitome of a typical 

Instagram user” posts handwritten 

descriptions of generic and clichéd 

Instagram posts. Are they technically 

a writer who Instagrams? Who cares, 

check it out for a laugh. 

13

NEXUS MAGAZINE Arts 

Poetry, Sex 

and Suicide 

Peter Dornauf 

Frieda Hughes is not a name to initially conjure with until one remembers 

that she is the daughter of Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath. What a family! 

The story of their lives reads like some Greek tragedy. Murder and 

suicide abound along with a touch of madness and mayhem. 

Her mother, the famous poet, was always a little unhinged, half in love 

with death and tried several times to kill herself before she actually 

succeeded, taping up the door where the children slept and then 

downstairs turning on the gas in the kitchen, her head in the oven. 

Ted was off with another woman at the time, which no doubt 

precipitated the suicide. The “other” woman was Assia Wevill, strikingly 

beautiful, but herself a little fragile. She went one further and killed 

herself and her daughter when it seemed that Ted would not commit 

to her after the death of Sylvia. Ted’s mother died from shock after 

hearing the news. 

Then later in life, Frieda’s brother, Nicholas, after a distinguished career 

in marine biology, followed the path of his mother after a bout of 

depression and hung himself at age 47. 

Frieda, married three times and onto her fourth, has had to wrestle 

with her own demons. It’s small wonder. She was only three when her 

mother succumbed to the lure of death. Her father put it about that 

she’d died of pneumonia but the truth came out when a school friend 

spilled the beans. Frieda was 14 at the time. 

She spent a long spell hiding in the outback of Western Australia as an 

adult, as far away from England as possible, writing poetry (surprise) 

and painting. I purchased a volume of her verse many years ago, called, 

Wooroloo. One of her paintings decorates the cover. It’s a picture of a 

towering blood-red sky, which takes up almost all of the canvas, beneath 

which two diminutive sheep graze. Shades of Edvard Munch and Caspar 

David Friedrich, both arch romantics from the nineteenth century. 

The poetry possesses some startling imagery. One can’t, of course, 

help but read them through the eyes of events and people that were 

part of her tragic life. “Her days were as lost as marbles”, she writes in 

one poem. And speaking of the place called Wooroloo, she says – “In 

this valley I have been hollowed out/And mended. I echo in my own 

emptiness like a tongue/In a bird’s beak.” 

Herself childless, she records in another poem entitled, Hysterectomy, 

of having her disease stripped out, “Like the rotten lining of a leather 

coat”. One can almost hear echoes of both her mother and father in 

these lines. 

She is back in Britain now, practicing as a grief counsellor (Surprise). 

No doubt the sessions work both ways. But she has recently released a 

new collection of poems called Alternative Values, in which one of the 

pieces directly confronts that terrible moment when her mother was in 

the process of taking her own life. 

Did I watch my mother’s face 

As she left us bread and milk before 

She shut us in and Sellotaped the door? 

Ted Hughes has a lot to answer. 


Auteur NEXUS MAGAZINE 

Auteur House 

Presents... 

Retrospect 


That this column attracted strident criticism earlier in the year was 

something of an achievement. Any writer is keen for a sign that 

there’s a readership out there, even one that hates your guts. The 

point of writing isn’t necessarily to convince people to change their 

minds about an issue, still less to demonstrate that the author is an 

unassailable authority on this or that. If an audience reads your 

contribution and rejects it out of hand, so be it. At least they have 

engaged with your material. 

Criticism of one’s style, though equally valid, is more difficult to 

accept. I think I’m at least as aware of my shortcomings as a writer 

as my harshest critics but it’s a challenge to be taken to task. There’s 

always room for improvement. It’s certainly no excuse but sometimes 

this column has been written in a hurry — squeezed between other 

commitments, some of them paid — and it hasn’t always been my best 

work. 2015 saw too many lists and not enough sustained prose. 

It’s a privilege to write for a student publication, especially when 

your last days as a student were nearly 20 years ago. There’s always 

the possibility that you are taking up space that could be better 

allocated to those younger than yourself who have a direct and ongoing 

association with campus life. The greatest fear as, essentially, an 

alumni writer, is that you have out stayed your welcome. This was the 

contention of the critic alluded to earlier. 

One thing that that person suggested I might be guilty of is of just 

regurgitating ideas or facts found on the internet. In as much as this 

assertion is one of plagiarism — the worst academic crime there is — I 

take umbrage. I use the internet as much as any contemporary person 

of course but there’s a difference between harnessing a research tool 

and cutting and pasting other folk’s work and presenting it as your 

own. I have seen all the films I write about and all opinions expressed 

— at times badly and in the slightly mannered, adjective-heavy 

expressive terms of the wannabe critic — are mine. 

Auteur House, the business this column at least nominally promotes, is 

an anachronism in the age of the digital download. So too is its owner. 

Thank you to any readers who have either overlooked or embraced 

these facts. 

15

SUMMER GETAWAYS 

Nexus Contributors 

We asked our contributors for their recommendations on summer getaways. Some are perfect for daytrips during study break (it’s 

important to relax in the sunshine!), and others are more like week-long celebration destinations for post-semester party season. 

Karamea, West Coast, South Island 

“Karamea is the northernmost settlement of any real size on the West Coast and it is simply 

stunning! This photo is from part of the Heaphy track is one of New Zealand’s great walks and 

starts in Karamea. It is truly one of the most beautiful and untouched places in New Zealand.” 

Shannon Stewart

Feature NEXUS MAGAZINE 

Pauanui 

“Climbing Mt Pauanui is pretty cool — takes about an hour and 

is similar sized drive to the Mt. Good coffee around as well” 

Sam Marelich 

Okato, Taranaki 

“To me, summer is fish ‘n chips. In the tiny town of Okato, Taranaki, there is nothing 

better than getting the finest fish ‘n chips, or an ice cream and a milkshake, from the 

local takeaway shop to enjoy in the sun.” 

Jared Wooldridge 

Hokitika Gorge, 30 minutes out 

of Hokitika, West Coast, 

South Island 

Pancake Rocks, Punakaiki, West Coast, South Island 

“These limestone rocks have been shaped over time to look 

like a giant stack of pancakes and they are so cool. The waves 

smash up against them and make tiny rainbows, and water 

comes up from blowholes all over the place. 

A New Zealand must see!” 

Shannon Stewart 

“The crappy Iphone 4 photo does 

not do this place justice. The 

water is the bluest I have ever 

seen and it is so beautiful there. 

When people talk about how NZ 

is 100% pure this is one of the 

places they are referring to.” 


Omanawa Falls, 

Off Omanawa Road in the Kaimais 

“A short five minute walk will take you to the 

look-out of this amazing New Zealand natural 

wonder. Getting to the bottom however, is a 

different story and involves scaling around 

small cliffs, hanging off trees, climbing ropes 

and hiking through bush and uneven terrain... 

but it is totally worth it. The water is ice cold, 

even in the middle of summer, but it is crystal 

clear and actually quite magical. Jump off the 

rocks and take a swim to the waterfall (I warn 

you that there are MASSIVE eels that bite!). 

Take a day pack with a picnic lunch and make 

a day of it. Definitely a must do this summer!” 

Olivia Paris 

17

NEXUS MAGAZINE Feature 

Lake Tarawea, Rotorua 

“The lesser known hot water beach, just outside 

Rotorua at Lake Tarawera. If you own a boat or have 

a friend that owns a boat head across with a few 

friends and camp out. Spend the evening soaking in 

the warm water and the daytime biscuiting across 

the lake. It’s been kind of an annual event for my 

school group to head back and do a camping trip 

at least once every summer, and now some of the 

friends we’ve met at Uni have started coming too, 

everybody, including myself who usually hates 

being in the presence of nature, enjoys it!” 

Emma Nygard 

Dickey’s Flat, 

Karangahake Gorge 

Take a short, easy walk through 

the Karangahake Gorge to this 

great little swimming spot. 

The track features beautiful 

scenery and interesting mining 

relics. Jump off the rocks, swim 

through the cave and slide 

down the small waterfalls. 

Make sure you check out the 

other walks around the area as 

well. For $6 a night, pitch your 

tent at the campsite and make 

a weekend of it! 

Olivia Paris 

Raglan 

“We’ve just moved into the country near Raglan, 

so I’m super excited to lay about on my deck with 

a book, and go swimming with my horse at Raglan 

beach. My plan this year is to teach him to be my 

diving board!” 

Rachael Elliot 

Lake Matheson, Fox Glacier, West Coast, South Island 

After a short walk through native bush around the lake you are greeted by the incredible 

reflection of Aoraki and Mount Tasman on the lake. Luckily when I was there the weather was 

perfect and the area was stunning. There’s also a cute cafe and art gallery nearby so you can 

enjoy the scenery. 


Basketball, Beach, Beer 

“What does an ideal summer 

spot mean to you? For me, it’s 

somewhere with a basketball 

hoop, a BYC/touch rugby/ 

footy venue, a beach, and 

somewhere to have a beer 

or two when the sun’s going 

down. For me, it’s East End 

Beach in New Plymouth.” 

Christopher Reive 

Hakarimata Walkway, Ngaruawahia 

“For fitness junkies who’ll find it hard to get a good 

few days off in the sun due to summer school or 

shitty work hours, an afternoon escape is the go. 

Head up the Hakarimata stairs on a mid-week late 

afternoon — work on your summer bod, get some 

Vit D, and take a cool moment for reflection with 

the waterfall behind the dam. Plus, get there before 

5pm and you’ll miss all the sedentary city slickers 

who clog up the path with their laboured breathing.” 

Alix Higby 



Tokomaru Bay, near Gisborne 

“It is the quietest, smallest and best place to do absolutely nothing. Backpackers up the hill has 

great views and cool cabins.” 

HP 

Wentworth Falls, 

Just out of Whangamata, Wentworth Valley Road 

“About a two hour return walk will take you to the 

waterfall. The walk is easy and doesn’t require any 

hiking experience. The track comes to a lookout of 

the fall. If you’re adventurous enough you can climb 

down to the fall and have a swim in the water hole.” 

Olivia Paris 

Taitua Arboretum 

“Super sunny and stuff, 

perfect for a summer walk or 

lunch outside around the fruit 

trees, and it’s on your way to 

Raglan!” 

Grace Archer 

Raglan 

“Everyone knows that Raglan is fucking aces, but 

everyone makes the mistake of walking all the way 

down the hill at the main beach. Take a few friends, 

some camping chairs and a bottle of wine. Park up 

by the cliff, blast music from the car and tan on the 

grass until the sun sets. The view makes for beautiful 

Insta-brags about how great summer is.” 

Brittany Rose 

Little Palm Beach, Waiheke Island 

“Great little nudist beach, private, secluded, and gorgeous location. Get some sun without 

any tan lines. And, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can melt into the dunes for a lil somethin 

somethin with your lover.” 

Aunty Slut 

Waihi Beach 

“The walk from Main End at Waihi Beach to Orakawa, 

super sweet views!” 

Dayna East 

19


SUMMER BEATS BY J 

Johnny Ryan 

Beats by J returns to Nexus with hot recommendations for your summer playlists! Chilling, partying or road tripping — 

We’ve got your back! 

Whether you’re at the beach or gathered around the BBQ waiting for the snarlers to be done you always need summer music 

in the background to set the mood. The hosts — or the go-to Music Guy in the group — has the hard task of balancing the latest 

songs, the classic and go to bangers. New Zealand’s summer music scene is a big deal and there is an array of festivals with very 

different themes and genres, from the intense atmosphere of Rhythm and Vines (where every 18-20 year old is shelving pingas 

and having their first beer away from home), to one of the last festivals of the season, Raggamuffin (where everyone is passing 

around a blunt, chilling to smooth reggae tunes, with the choice of some kinas from the East Coast). 

When it comes to making the ultimate summer playlist, there is no right or wrong. Below are some playlist options: 

ROAD TRIP TUNES 

Matrix & Futurebound 

Don’t Look Back (ft. Tanya Lacey) 

Skrillex and Diplo 

“Where Are Ü Now” 

(ft. Justin Bieber) 

The Chemical Brothers 

Go 

New Zealand Shapeshifter 

Monarch 

The Killers 

Mr. Brightside 

Rudimental 

Feel The Love (ft. John Newman) 

Alex Gaudino 

I’m In Love (I Wanna Do It) 

Chase & Status 

Blind Faith ft. Liam Bailey 

Flume 

On Top (ft. T.Shirt) 

The Black Seeds 

So True 

Katchafire 

Get Away 

Dragon 

April Sun In Cuba 

SUMMER HITS 

Nero 

Two Minds 

Wilkinson 

Breathe (ft. Shannon Saunders) 

RUFUS 

You Were Right 

MEDZ 

Love On Loop (ft. Anna Coddington) 

Years & Years 

King 

Eric Prydz VS CHVRCHES 

Tether 

The Weeknd 

The Hills 

Galantis 

Peanut Butter Jelly 

Felix Jaehn 

Ain’t Nobody (ft. Jasmine Thompson) 

Lil Dicky 

$ave Dat Money (ft. Fetty Wap and 

Rich Homie Quan) 

Naughty Boy 

Runnin’ (ft. Beyoncé, Arrow Benjamin) 

MNEK, Zara Larsson 

Never Forget You 

CHILL BBQ MUSIC 

ODESZA 

Sun Models (ft. Madelyn Grant) 

Lost Frequencies 

Are You With Me 

Robin Schulz 

Sugar (ft. Francesco Yates) 

Mattafix 

Big City Life (LEEX Remix) 

Disclosure 

Magnets (ft. Lorde) 

Nero 

Two Minds 

Kygo 

Firestone (ft. Conrad) 

The Notorious BIG 

Old Thing Back (ft. Ja Rule) 

(Matoma Remix) 

Drake 

Hotline Bling (Cha Cha Remix) 

Down With You 

Katchafire 

Good Love 

Sons of Zion 

Kora 

Burning 

21


SUMMER LOVIN’ 

Emma Nygard 

‘Summer fling’ screams romantic sunsets and long walks on the beach, holding hands and smooching. Nexus’ Single Girl, 

Emma Nygard, takes us on a journey into her Grease inspired teen romance fantasies. Turns out the reality is a lot more 

High School Musical than Sandy getting the D. 

Have you ever spent your summer wondering why you 

haven’t met and fallen in love with some beautiful and 

charming stranger, as you spend your third day in a row lying 

in bed with McDonald’s wrappers littered across your floor? 

Growing up I was poisoned by a heap of teen-lit romance 

novels about going away for the summer and finding Sarah 

Dessen’s version of the perfect sixteen year old male. He 

was usually described as tall and athletic, tanned with 

dreamy green eyes - he had a six pack but was also sensitive 

and cared about your insecure, teenage girl feelings. What 

a wondrous world these middle aged women had imagined 

for silly naïve pre-teens, like I once was. It took me years 

and countless screenings of Grease to realise it was actually 

kind of dirty and more importantly, that Sandy and Danny 

were as close as I was going to come to experiencing my 

own spectacular summer romance. I’m not saying they don’t 

exist, for people much more interesting and better looking 

than myself I’m sure they do — but I’m an average gal, with 

an average life, about to go into another mediocre summer 

— spending more time indoors working than out looking 

for love, like the majority of fellow Joe Blows. So here’s a 

giant finger, popping the bubble of teenage fantasy — this is 

the realistic, albeit slightly pessimistic version of what your 

summer romance will probably be like. While you may be 

hoping for the risqué and lovable Grease the reality is closer 

to the tacky rip-off PG version High School Musical which 

has notably more physical contact in the basketball games 

and carefully choreographed dance routines than between 

the two lovers themselves. 

If you go home you may be holding out on reconnecting 

with your once High School flame, which is equally if not 

even more cliché than the idea of a summer romance. In this 

cliché he has spent three years pining for you, abstaining 

from any other girl and carries around a photograph of you 

in a non-creepy way. 

However, in reality you’re likely to find one of two things: 

A fatter, less appealing version of the person you crushed on 

in High School. Which you’d be happy to overlook if he didn’t 

also drive a scary looking van and his main source of income 

didn’t come from the marijuana he sells to fifteen year olds 

at the parties he attends now. 

Or; 

A fitter, better looking version of the guy you lost your 

virginity to, who is studying law in Auckland and is just 

back for a few weeks because he’s heading overseas with 

his stupidly gorgeous girlfriend. All aspects of his life seem 

unfairly perfect which you of course relate back to some 

massive revenge plot he holds against you for not choosing 

him as your year 12 ball date. He still wants you, really. 

Going home is like an annual and completely unnecessary 

high school reunion thanks to Facebook stalking, and 

although fun for about two weeks, it can get a little tiresome 

when you realize the only people you actually liked are the 

ones you still keep in contact with today anyway. The rest 

are just kind of like unpleasant wallpaper at the parties you 

attend that you have to say hello to and make small talk with. 

But, on the rare occasion you discover some remarkably 

23

NEXUS MAGAZINE Feature 

While you may 

be hoping for 

the risqué and 

lovable Grease 

the reality is 

closer to the 

tacky rip-off PG 

version High 

School Musical 

fabulous individual that slipped under your radar in high 

school latch onto them, hold them tight, don’t let them go… 

and then listen to the adorable pet names they bestow on 

you when talking to their friends, like ‘creep’ or ‘psycho’ or 

my own personal favorite ‘crazy-bitch’. Because you may 

have signed up for passionate summer romance, but he 

certainly didn’t. 

More often than not the summer fling is accompanied by 

some upbeat, beachy soundtrack that makes you want to 

get up and feel good. Your summer soundtrack, however, 

won’t feature any obscure indie bands but will revolve 

around whichever club you spend the most time in. If, 

like me, you call Rotorua home prepare for your summer 

romance sound to be Fatman Scoops’ classic jam Be 

Faithful. This tune features remarkably eloquent lines like: 

“if you got a $100 bill put your hand up” which gives every 

poor student a chance to find their taxi ride home. 

It is important to note that all of the summer rom-com 

films you’ve seen, and all the trashy books you’ve read all 

begin with somebody going outside. Going to the beach, 

going to a beachside bonfire, going to a party at a house 

by the beach. Basically if you live in-land your dreams of 

summer love are fucked to begin with. Also, the whole going 

outside concept can be a little, well, unrealistic. And not just 

because you’re a sun despising weirdo but also because you 

will probably be working 45 hour weeks at some shitty retail 

job to continue paying for the flat you no longer inhabit 

because you couldn’t con some poor idiot into renting your 

room over the summer while also saving up enough money 

to support your unemployed lifestyle when you come back 

to Uni next year. Then, when your day off rocks around you 

realize you’re still far too white to venture out into sunny 

and scary outside world in last year’s denim shorts that are 

depressingly too small. So you make the executive decision 

to not participate in summer this year. 

Winter is more your cup of tea anyway — where being pale 

is unavoidable and an extra coat of fat is totally acceptable. 

If you’re after something as outdated as summer romance 

make a trip to the archaic video store and rent out one. 

However, if you want a modern take on the summer fling 

simply log onto Tinder outside. And brag to all your friends 

about Aaron, who lives 3kms away and once asked if you 

were horny. Problem solved! 

Or ya know, put your insecurities aside and make time to go 

out and do activities that will ultimately result in meeting 

people… it’s your choice I guess. 

24 N.24 / V.47 SUMMER

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2015 

SUNDAY 15 NOVEMBER 

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roundthebridges.co.nz #roundthebridges #rtbfundraising

NEXUS MAGAZINE Your Space 

Get Out of Town: 

Ngaruawahia 

Not all student abodes are created equal — some aren’t even within the city limits. 

This week’s Space requires a 30 minute drive from campus and reasonably good 

playlist for those long open roads. 

Nestled about a 4 minute drive from the Hakarimata Ranges and those stairs, lies 

this 3 bedroom house. Family home cum 3 person flat cum bachelor pad — it’s 

eclectic and handmade. The decor includes neatly trimmed logs stacked into a 

retired fireplace, and an Andy Warhol tribute in the form of soup cans from 2011. 

A wooden trestle desk is framed with to-do lists and a mix of store-bought 

and original prints. The arcade machine in the corner is equipped with two cup 

holders and was fully working up until a year ago after a cold, damp winter 

apparently drowned the electrics. 


Your Space NEXUS MAGAZINE 

27

NEXUS MAGAZINE Columns 

A FASHIONABLE LIFESTYLE – NGA KORERO HUATAU 

A Fashionable 

Lifestyle 2015 

Jess Wilson 

We take a look back at some of the more amusing things 

Jessica Wilson has said and totally remove them from their 

original context — enjoy! 

Septum piercings, or “bullrings”, bridge the gap between human 

and beast, creating a complex societal message on the ideas of 

socialism, capitalism, and of course, veganism. A widely detested 

part of the face, the nose is a perfect place to express your sociopolitical 

agenda, as well as scaring off basic people. 

– Issue 3 

If you’re like me, you never fuck up. You are a celestial being who 

bathes in the beauty of facial symmetry and the ability to balance 

life, work, and study. Your butt is also very nice (do recommend), 

but that’s far from the point. 

– Issue 4 

It has come to my attention that the common white boy is evolving 

into a longboarding, rap loving, douche at a pace comparable to 

the recent measles outbreak. 

– Issue 6 

More fun that you can shake a stick at, but not quite as fun as 

a bag of sand. The Common White Girl covers her frame with 

a plain top, either leggings or skinny jeans, and a puffer jacket. 

She completes the look by decking her face out with too-thick 

foundation, cleverly applied to hide her burnt skin from her 

previous occupation as a receptionist for the fiery depths of Hell. 

– Issue 7 

Smoking is, quite literally, hot — and I’m not talking about the 

drugs. This crash diet is about no longer consuming anything 

that isn’t smoked — so you can no longer look like a joke! (Ha! 

It almost rhymes.) Only eating smoked food will largely hinder 

your consumption options. If you get too hungry, I recommend 

consuming smoked salt, it’s low calorie and will help you drink 

your recommended two litres of water per day. 

– Issue 12 

The first step to having a delicious lingerie collection is letting 

down your preconceived notions of what is “slutty” and what 

is appropriate. Nothing is slutty, unless you want it to be, and 

nothing is inappropriate for you. 

– Issue 16 

If you’re wanting to make it big by shooting with a top 

photographer, you’re going to have to show a little nipple. 

– Issue 19 

Ahhh… New York Fashion Week. Not my favourite week of the 

year, but not my least favourite either. 

– Issue 21 


Columns NEXUS MAGAZINE 

THE SINGLE LIFE – TE KOIORA TAKITAHI 

Single Life 2015 

Emma Nygard 

We take a look back at some of the more amusing things Emma 

Nygard has said and totally remove them from their original 

context — enjoy! 

There is, after twenty years of experience, something odd I have 

noticed about the way people treat single girls. As if we’re all 

walking clichés who bury our heads in Austen novels and idolize 

Bridget Jones (guilty). However not everybody is as lame and 

hopeless as me. 

– Issue 3 

My step-by-step guide to pulling will probably result in a 

restraining order—not an orgasm. 

– Issue 4 

Four Times I’ve Cock-Blocked Myself 

– Issue 5 

I sometimes blame how embarrassingly active my Tinder account 

is on the fact I have to use it for educational purposes. 

– Issue 6 

I am unsure if it’s my complete and utter lack of allure or the fact 

that most of the time I’ll just lay there, starfish style, too lazy to do 

any of the work, that encourages my one night stands to remain 

just that. I just can’t seem to get a text back. 

– Issue 7 

Choose the douchiest looking guy in the club. Probably has a 

half-assed man bun, and can be found lingering around the bar, 

Smirnoff in hand, scoping the Outback for some first year prey. Or, 

alternatively check the dance floor for the guy trying to grind on 

anything with a skirt. 

– Issue 7 

If you give head on the first date — tell him! It’s not prostitution if 

he’s just paying for dinner. 

– Issue 12 

I feel so out of sync with my XY comrades and also genuinely 

confused at how other girls manage to get into relationships 

when I can barely get someone to commit to staying over. It’s 

a hard life for somebody naïve enough to think other people’s 

intentions mirror my own, however I’ve learned over the years 

(with a healthy dose of cynicism) how to tell if someone is 

genuinely into you and who just wants a bone. There is nothing 

wrong with a bone, don’t get me wrong, as long as both parties 

are happy with it and nobody is conned into actually developing 

feelings. Gross. 

– Issue 16 

Don’t get a fringe unless you want to be mercilessly teased and 

spend the rest of your life blaming that one styling error for the 

reason you’re alone at night. 

– Issue 20 

Writing “get a boyfriend” as one of your goals for 2010 will not 

only jinx you forever but it’s also a totally stupid goal that nobody 

should ever make. Work on something productive and useful… 

like getting hot. 

- Issue 20 

29


HE PUNA KŌRERO 

Te Pua Wānanga 

ki Te Ao Showcase 

Taha Tangitu-Huata 

Ko te tangata, ko te tangata, ko te tangata. 

From ice cold hoodie weather we are currently witnessing the 

progression into warmer welcoming spring climates, warm enough 

to open the double sliding doors in Te Whare Tapere Ito, only to be 

welcomed by the sound of 90+ students preparing for their end 

of semester final performance assessment being held on Thursday 

the 15th of October, in the Gallagher Performing Arts Theatre on 

campus, but wait, it’s not all about leisure pursuits of the Māori. 

With a collaboration of slam poetry, Kapa Haka and a fusion of 

contemporary and traditional Māori arts and instruments, we 

present the bi-semester Te Pua Wānanga ki Te Ao showcase. An 

exhilarating cultural experience written, designed, produced and 

delivered by students. A whole semester’s effort coming to fruition. 

However on a more serious note, these papers are seeing an 

obvious increase of interest from our Māori students as well as 

our foreign counterparts who are choosing electives way out of 

there comfort zones, while enduring mental stimulation including 

spiritual growth this also allows for social development on all levels 

including extending their Facebook friends list through to gaining 

the right communication skills to talk to any Tom, Dick and Harry. 

What better way to roll through your B-semester, have some good 

laughs while breaking a sweat or two, as well as hoping no one 

smells your hungover alcohol breath. You get an opportunity to 

learn about collective development, mental capacity growth, social 

skills along with learning how to line up and shut the trap and make 

sure you know your words and actions. Ultimately though these 

students have just opened their eyes to another diverse world, 

through the Māori performing arts. 

Nevertheless it should be an exciting evening so come along and 

join the fun, after all it’s free. 

NEW LOCALS – KORERO MAI TĀWĀHI 

Diary of an 

Outsider 

Shalini Guleria 

Entry Three: 4th October 2015 

It’s been one year, three months and ten days since I arrived here. 

Quite precise, I know. 

I still remember the long 16 hour journey; cramped seating, 

average food and how can I forgot the lady who rested on my 

shoulder for the entire flight? Despite the unpleasant conditions 

I faced, taking my first steps in this country relieved all the stress. 

I wanted to be here and I finally was. But soon my excitement 

was captured by feelings of insecurity; being out of place because, 

basically, I missed my country. Whenever I compared my home to 

NZ, obviously NZ won and it made sense because this country 

is amazing and I can’t fault it. But still despite how polluted, 

crowded, and dysfunctional my home was, I missed it. 

After one year, I still miss my home and as soon as I save enough 

money I will go back, but one thing has changed: I don’t feel like 

an outsider. It’s true that I still have my funky accent but everyone 

loves it. I haven’t changed, yet I have been accepted by everyone. 

All my insecurities, self doubt, feelings of being a minority have 

been erased and my system is rebooted. I feel like I belong. 

Now when I go to uni, I smile and walk with my head raised, proud 

to be who I am. Yeah, I still need to do the budgeting and I do get 

sad when my mum cries over the phone, but hey - life is still pretty 

good. My journey to New Zealand has taught me many things, but 

one main thing that I have learnt is to change any impossibility to 

a possibility. I have gained a different outlook on life and finally 

learnt to be free and fearless. 

Okay, on a personal note... and this is quite personal, I saw this 

beautiful girl today! Before you get any ideas, I am a decent bloke 

and I don’t compliment girls just like that, but she was gorgeous. It 

was quite embarrassing, I kept looking at her. What is happening 

to me? Never felt this way before. Hope I see her again. And no I 

don’t Facebook stalk, haha. 

Anyway, I can happily say that I love it here and I wouldn’t change 

a thing! 



AUNTY SLUT – KOKA KAIRAU 

“ARE YOU A SUBMISSIVE, TURNED ON BY 

THE IDEA OF BEING HUMILIATED AS YOUR 

WIFE RIDES ANOTHER GUY TO ECSTASY?” 

Cuckold Keen 

Aunty Slut 

Dear Aunty Slut, 

I have always wanted to watch my wife have sex with another man. 

I’m not sure how to bring it up or if she’ll just hate the idea. Do you 

think I should bring it up, if so how do you think I should do it? 

Cuckold Keen 

Dear Cuckold Keen, 

In all successful relationships, communication is key, so you should 

absolutely bring it up. The ‘how’ is going to depend on a number 

of factors. Don’t forget that inviting someone into your marital 

bed can sometimes leave the door open for insecurity, jealousy 

and resentment, so you’re going to need to be a bit careful. 

Before you raise the subject with her, you need to figure out what 

your motivation is. Are you a submissive, turned on by the idea of 

being humiliated as your wife rides another guy to ecstasy? Are 

you a voyeur who just wants to watch (and maybe touch himself 

a little)? Or are you using this as an opportunity to enact a homoerotic 

and/or polygamous fantasy? Any (or all) of these things are 

totally fine, but you need to know why this appeals to you, so you 

can truthfully communicate with your wife about it. 

To bring it up, you could either ask her what her dirty fantasy is 

(everyone has one), then when she asks you what yours is, tell her 

it’s to watch her fuck herself with her vibrator. If she reacts badly, 

you may be pushing shit uphill with a pointy dildo trying to get her 

to get off with another guy. 

Alternatively, tell her you had a sexy dream about her fucking 

another guy. Gauge her reactions as you discuss it as to whether 

you should admit to how turned on it makes you/ask if it’s 

something she might consider, or leave this fantasy in the box. 

The key here is going to be communication. If she’s open to 

exploring the idea, talk about it. It can be sexy to discuss and plan 

something but what’s more important is figuring out how to keep 

each other and your relationship safe, while inviting a third party 

into the mix. You all need to be clear about what everyone wants 

out of this situation — you, your wife, and whoever you both decide 

should join you in sex play. Everyone has a stake, so everyone should 

be able to be clear about what they are or are not comfortable with. 

Maybe start small, like watching her kissing someone then regroup 

and see how you both felt about it. I know some casual swingers 

whose cuckold fantasies and secure, loving partnerships allow them 

to get amongst it with no adverse effects on their relationship. But I 

also know plenty of people who thought they would be totally fine, 

but couldn’t handle what actually went down. The more you talk 

about it before, during and after it happens, the more likely you’ll 

have both an emotionally and a physically pleasurable experience. 

Good luck Cuckold Keen, I hope you get your happy ending. 

31


#SELFIEMYMUG 

“A WAVE OF ENVIRONMENTAL GREEN 

GUILT CRASHES OVER ME AS I REALISE I’VE 

FORGOTTEN TO BRING THE MUG – AGAIN!” 

How to Get 

Cheaper Coffee 

Jo Wrigley 

I started off this year with an important purchase — a reusable, 

transportable, environmentally friendly, conscious raising, stainless 

steel, sustainability queen, coffee mug. But now, when I enter a 

coffee establishment, a wave of environmental green guilt crashes 

over me as I realise I’ve forgotten to bring the mug — again! 

I had a chat about it to Stacy, who owns Espresso Plus on campus, 

and he says it happens often. It seems there are many of us who’ve 

made the effort to purchase a reusable cup and then fail miserably 

at the next step — remembering to bring it and use it. This guilt 

has led me on a mission of life-changing proportions: I bravely 

consulted Aunty Google, ‘How to remember my reusable cup’. 

The first pearl of wisdom is the most obvious, use cup holders. If 

you cycle there are ones for your handlebars, and you can check 

out the range at your local bike shop or online. If you can afford 

to drive, there’s usually at least two in your car, or you can find a 

stylish bag (not plastic!) that conveniently holds your cup. 

If money is your motivator, then the University can help. Reusable 

stainless steel mugs have been subsidised to help reduce the 

4.5kg’s of disposable coffee cups going to landfill every day from 

the Village Green. You can buy a reusable mug for just $7, and 

here’s the best bit — if you use any style of reusable cup at either 

Momento or Espresso Plus, you get a 50 cent discount on any hot 

drink you purchase! 

The other piece of advice is you can have more than one reusable 

cup. Stacey from Espresso Plus has a collection of staff mugs 

called the Mug Club, and Jessie from Momento has customers 

who collect cups so when they take someone out for coffee, a 

reusable cup is always on hand for guests. 

To make it even easier for you, I’m helping run a competition with 

the Uni to give away a sexy stainless steel reusable cup and block 

of Fairtrade chocolate, to the top five selfies of people posing 

with their favourite mug during study week. Use the hashtag 

#selfiemymug and post it on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook and 

be in to win — competition closes 23rd of October. 



TRAVEL 

“LITTLE STORES SOLD 

EVERY TYPE OF LIQUOR 

YOU COULD WANT...” 

A Little Bit of Laos 


Trains in Asia are not for everyone, fortunately (or unfortunately 

depending on how you look at it) my budget didn’t stretch to 

include a 1 hour flight and forced me onto the overnight train. 

After, without a doubt, one of the worst sleeps in my life I arrived 

at the border of Thailand and Laos. I met a nice English guy on 

the border and we set off to Vientiane. When I arrived I quickly 

realised that the capital was a total ghost town. 

The usual freak outs ran through my head, what am I doing here? 

Are the police legit here? What is that guy doing with a huge 

jacket on in 35 degree heat? But after talking to some stunning 

Americans they told us the place to be was a small village called 

Vang Vieng. With nothing to lose we all set off to find a bus to 

Vang Vieng and began the weirdest and best adventure ever. The 

5 hour bus ride after a whole day and night of travelling was brutal 

but when we finally made it I knew we were in for a good time. 

Little stores sold every type of liquor you could want and shops 

boasting a wide array of adventure activities were on every 

corner. Restaurants and bars were abundant with the cheapest 

food and alcohol around. Vang Vieng has been aptly described 

as the epitome of what the world would be like if it were ruled 

by 20 somethings. 

The number one attraction in Vang Vieng other than the Blue 

Lagoon is an adventure activity that sees you tubing down a river 

at the bottom of a cliff. Which on its own is pretty cool but when 

you are stopping off at numerous bars along the way it’s even 

better. The staff at the bars throw out a rope and pull you in and 

after parking your tube the carnage begins. Muddy volleyball, 

football, music, stages and shroom shakes ensued and it was 

without a doubt the most fun you could have while drinking. 

The next morning after nursing our hangovers we set off for the 

other adventures the area had to offer. Trips to the Blue Lagoon, 

hot air ballooning, kayaking, zip lining, trekking, rock climbing and 

surveying the scenery took up the last of the weekend. 

My trip to Laos felt like a dream, one that I most certainly did not 

want to wake up from. Not too bad for a $40NZD train ride. 

33

THE 

2015 

CLUBS SERVICES NEXUS 

Club Award Winners 

ACADEMIC CLUB OF THE YEAR 

Waikato University Law Students' Association · Waikato University 

Management Communication Students’ Association 

SPORTS CLUB OF THE YEAR 

Waikato University Snowsports Club 

PASIFIKA CLUB OF THE YEAR 

Waikato University Papua New Guinea Students’ Association 

MAORI ROOPU OF THE YEAR 

Te Ranga Ngaku 

CULTURAL CLUB OF THE YEAR 

Waikato University Muslim Students' Association 

LIFESTYLE, INTEREST OR 

ACTIVITY CLUB OF THE YEAR 

Waikato University Gardeners Club 

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION AWARD 

Waikato University Hilary Scholars 

BEST CLUB EVENT 

Waikato University Fijian Students’ Association 

BEST MARKETING AND PROMOTION 

Chinese Students’ Association of Waikato University 

ROOKIE AWARD 

Waikato University International Students’ Association 

PEOPLES CHOICE AWARD 

Waikato University Young Engineers Society 

SERVICE TO CLUBS — ‘STAFF OR COMMUNITY’ 

John Ireland 

SERVICE TO CLUBS — ‘OUTSTANDING CLUB MEMBER’ 

Liam Schuitemaker (Tramping Club) 

SUPREME CLUB OF THE YEAR 

Waikato University Snowsports Club 

Nexus Award Winners 

BEST REVIEWER 

Hp 

BEST POLITICAL/NEWS WRITER 

Chris Kader 

MOST CONTROVERSIAL CONTRIBUTOR 

Aunty Slut 

MOST RELIABLE CONTRIBUTOR 


BEST ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPHY 

Cameron Robinson 

BEST FEATURE 

Hamilton’s Somewhat Undocumented History (Samantha Brill) 

WRITER OF THE YEAR 

Emma Nygard 

MOST ENTHUSIASTIC PRESENCE IN THE OFFICE 

Sam Marelich 

NEXUS MAGAZINE INTERNS 

Ashleigh Matthews · Jessamy Topping · Johnny Ryan 

Service Award Winners 

DOPEST DJ 

Dujon Cullingford – ‘DJ Stretchmark’ 

WAIKATO STUDENTS’ UNION INTERNS 

Brianna Morgan · Briar Fabian 

WAIKATO STUDENTS’ UNION VOLUNTEERS 

Blake Collins · Brook Houghton · Dylan Loughman · 

Emma Weston · Erana Walker-Delaney · Gabrielle Holmes · 

James Robson · Jordan Smith · Joseph Edwards · Nick Collis · 

Stephen Harney · Tristan Houghton · Troy Anderson 

WAIKATO STUDENTS’ UNION LEGACY AWARD 

Penengaru Walker-Delaney

Cooking for Students NEXUS MAGAZINE 

Shish Kebabs 

Zac Lyon 

I thought I would stay with a BBQ theme, considering I think I’m still battling 

a nasal ailment from inhaling burnt mould spores in last week’s annual 

BBQ clean. I’m fairly sure I have lost my sense of smell due to a plethora of 

cultivating fungi in my nasal cavity. Or I could have blocked nose. Meh, what 

can you do? Sniff in more BBQ smoke, that’s what. Never underestimate the 

flat morale-boosting powers of a good BBQ. Today we are going with the 

trusty shish kebab. Safety is paramount in making your shish kebab. You do 

not want your fingers to be included in the alternating layers of deliciousness. 

Be smart, delegate that job to your flatmates. 

Mediterranean Beef 

1 kg of rump steak – cut into 2 cm chunks 

3 cloves of garlic – crushed 

2 tsp of paprika 

2 tsp of cumin powder 

1 tsp of coriander powder (or crushed seeds) 

½ tsp of turmeric powder 

2 Tbs of oil 

Salt and pepper 

Teriyaki Chicken 

1 kg of chicken boobies – cut into 2 cm chunks 

4 Tbs of soy sauce 

3 cloves of garlic – crushed 

2 cm knob of ginger – grated 

2 Tbs brown sugar 

1 tsp of honey 

Method 

1. With either of the two options above combine all the ingredients into a bowl, 

taste and then add meats. Leave in fridge for about an hour to marinate. 

2. Soak bamboo skewers in water for the same hour. This will help them not 

burnt into a crisp over the grill. 

3. Time to get your fingers dirty, add meat-veggie-veggie-meat, and repeat. 

Your vegies can include: onions, mushrooms, pineapple, capsicum, or 

cherry tomatoes. Make your kebab and colourful as possible — get 

Leonardo da Vinci on your kebabs, make masterpieces. 

4. Once you have used up all your ingredients throw these bad boys on a 

nice hot BBQ grill. With a beersie in one hand, sombrero (being a sun 

smart kiwi) and tongs in the other keep rotating them until your meats 

are cooked. Chicken will take a bit longer than beef. FYI. 

5. Remember: SLIP, SLOP, SLAP. 

35

NEXUS MAGAZINE Snapped 

Snap nexusmag your shenanigans! 

The best snap each week (printed with 

the Burgerfuel logo), wins a voucher 

from our mates at Burgerfuel. Claim it 

from the Nexus office in SUB. 


Blind Date NEXUS MAGAZINE 

Brought to you by The Bank and 97.8 The Edge. Each week 

Nexus attempts to make a love/sexual connection. 

if you’re keen for a date on us, email editor@nexusmag.co.nz 

Just like last week, his favourite artist is Ed Sheeran (why?), and she likes Taylor 

Swift. He likes “the old faithful missionary” and referred to the clitoris as the “turbo 

button”; she originally said her favourite sex position was “one with a dick in me”, but 

specified that reverse cowgirl is actually her one true fave. She also let us know she’s 

had regular STI checks (which is super responsible), so let’s see if 2015’s last Blind 

Date goes out with a bang... 

XX 

The Lady’s Experience 

Had a few pre drinks but I’m still feeling nervous. I 

turned up first, my date turned up a few minutes later, 

looking pretty decent. The small talk was a little bit 

awkward, but the bar tab got the conversation flowing. 

We decided to skip dinner and just get drinks. 

Eventually the conversation got to movies, which is 

when I found out the type of guy he really is. Doesn’t 

like Harry Potter, and wants the All Blacks to lose! It 

seemed like only a few drinks later when we were told 

we only had $3 left, so we decided it was a good idea 

to walk to the nearest alcohol shop, get smashed and 

go to hospo night. Disappointment after a tipsy walk to 

Thirsty’s in my heels only to find out it was closed. 

We decided to head back to my flat. At the flat all I 

could offer him was warm beer and Kristoff, he handled 

it pretty well. After a few drinks we decided to move 

things to my bedroom. Famous last words as I say ‘no 

sex, just sleeping’ on the way down the hallway. One 

thing led to another and it got heated. The sex was 

good the first time, despite his random toilet break 

halfway through… Round two in the morning wasn’t as 

good though; I must have been sober. 

Apart from finding his dried up chewing gum on my 

floor in the morning it was a pretty good night. 

Thanks a lot Nexus! 

XY 

The Gentleman’s Experience 

Going out required pre-loading. I sunk my way through 

half a box so I’d be drunk enough to be charming, but 

still sober enough to not be re-enacting the lemons 

scene from Wolf of Wall Street. I arrive at The Bank 

on time and find my date waiting for me at the table. 

As I wandered over I was having a scout to see what 

I was getting myself into, not my usual type but not 

too shabby. Going through the usual routine: degree, 

hometown etc, I was 2 minutes into the date when I 

realised that I had completely forgotten her name. Class 

act right there. We started pounding the drinks back, I 

didn’t want food to waste the tab, and she agreed, so it 

was looking good. Two hours in the waiter brought us 

a couple more shots and told us that we had $3 on the 

tab. Panic set in, we needed to keep the liquid flowing. 

A wander down to Thirsty’s was in need, but the Trusty 

Orange was shut! She said that there were some drinks 

at hers and we could drink there before heading back 

for hospo, I could see the signs. After polishing some 

cheeky Smirnies there wasn’t much energy left in the 

tank and bed was calling. I didn’t quite get back to 

mine as another bed was much, much closer. As she 

opens the door to her room I’m greeted with a pair of 

handcuffs and condoms on the bed, I just thought of the 

write up and after all it’d be rude not to. All in all I was 

treated to a good night, with a lovely lass, whose name 

I still can’t remember (sorry). 

37

B-SEMESTER AT THE WSU

NEXUS MAGAZINE Puzzles 

SUDOKU 

4 1 8 

8 5 1 4 

3 2 6 7 

9 4 1 

2 8 7 1 

2 3 5 

8 4 9 2 

6 2 7 1 

8 5 7 4 

3 1 5 

6 2 

1 8 7 5 2 6 

7 5 

5 9 2 3 8 1 

3 4 

8 7 2 

8 7 1 

9 1 3 6 

6 7 

7 2 9 5 

5 1 6 2 

3 2 

8 7 1 5 

9 7 5 

1 8 9 6 

EASY MEDIUM HARD 

9 3 7 

CODEWORDS 

SLITHERLINK 

Each letter in the puzzle is represented by a number 1 – 26. Crack the code to solve it. 

1 25 3 1 11 11 9 26 14 12 11 22 26 8 

10 20 23 14 2 25 13 10 

1 14 

2 15 

Join the dots to create a single continuous 

loop. The numbers indicate how many lines 

must surround each number and the loop 

must never cross itself. 

15 25 8 13 20 11 7 21 25 16 5 11 11 7 

15 5 10 14 14 15 

8 23 25 3 11 4 10 26 7 25 24 25 26 

17 16 14 14 11 

6 10 14 16 18 25 15 15 20 2 16 25 22 

10 10 20 26 10 14 

25 22 26 21 25 7 11 14 8 23 14 25 16 

C 

19 10 21 8 2 

C 

16 10 3 1 25 25 1 13 11 16 23 11 5 

C 

3 16 

4 17 

5 18 

6 19 

7 20 

8 21 

9 22 

10 23 

11 24 

C 

2 3 3 

1 2 2 

1 3 

1 2 2 

1 2 2 2 

3 2 3 2 1 

2 3 2 1 

TRIVIAL 

10 1 8 25 26 13 

23 14 25 21 11 21 17 24 25 3 11 11 8 14 

C 

14 4 22 14 25 23 19 15 

19 16 11 26 26 22 20 7 19 8 22 14 23 5 

12 25 

13 26 

What’s a three word phrase used to describe 

the five concepts of profession of faith, prayer, 

almsgiving, fasting and pilgrimage? 

In which building would you find a filibuster? 

The world’s highest waterfall is in what South 

American country? 

WORD TWIST 

R E O T 

S N O X 

E U A U 

G U S B 

How many words 

can you make from 

these letters? The 

letters must touch 

horizontally, vertically 

or diagonally and 

cannot be used more 

than once in a word. 


Puzzles NEXUS MAGAZINE 

CROSSWORD 

KAKURO 

Solve the clues and fill in the words. 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 

11 12 13 14 

Fill all of the blank squares in the grid using only the 

numbers 1 – 9 so the numbers entered add up to the 

corresponding clue. You cannot use the same number 

more than once in a run (eg. 7, 1, 1). 

15 16 17 

18 19 20 21 

22 23 24 25 26 

27 28 29 

30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 

38 39 40 

41 42 43 44 45 

46 47 48 49 

50 51 52 53 54 55 

24 23 23 16 23 

23 16 

35 17 

24 29 

16 

34 16 

15 

19 

10 

15 

4 6 10 

4 18 

3 

10 7 

4 6 

56 57 58 59 60 

61 62 63 64 65 

66 67 68 

SIMPLE PUZZLES FOR SIMPLE PEOPLE 

69 70 71 

Across 

1. Friend (3) 

4. RR stop (3) 

7. Segment (4) 

11. Stay out of sight (4) 

12. Not closed (4) 

13. Watchful (5) 

15. Gear (9) 

17. Unadorned (5) 

18. Actor Brynner (3) 

19. Tenant’s contracts (6) 

21. Army unit: Abbr. (3) 

22. Collection (3) 

23. Actress Sommer (4) 

24. Match up (4) 

27. Fannie and Ginnie follower (3) 

28. Sneaker brand (6) 

30. Romance novelist Roberts (4) 

33. Journey (4) 

36. Al ___ (pasta style) (5) 

38. In the past (4) 

39. “Old MacDonald had a farm, 

_ _ _ I O” (3) 

40. Elderly (4) 

41. Most simplistic (5) 

43. ____ and graces (4) 

45. Permits (4) 

46. In a straight line (6) 

48. They’re between sos and 

tis (3) 

50. Ogle (4) 

51. Potting need (4) 

53. Lemon or lime suffix (3) 

56. Boxing legend (3) 

58. Dennis, to Mr. Wilson (6) 

60. Pot cover (3) 

61. Backs of the feet (5) 

64. Investigator (9) 

66. Photographer Leibovitz (5) 

67. Necessity (4) 

68. At any time (4) 

69. Cook by boiling slowly (4) 

70. Prince Valiant’s son (3) 

71. Bard’s “always” (3) 

Down 

1. Rouse (5) 

2. No longer a minor (5) 

3. Hawaiian garland (3) 

4. Utter (5) 

5. On edge (5) 

6. Poker stake (4) 

7. Nonsense (3) 

8. Everything (3) 

9. Put into a new order (9) 

10. Math course (4) 

11. Casual greetings (4) 

12. Breakfast order (6) 

14. Explosive stick (3) 

16. Statement of defendant (4) 

20. Velocity: for short (3) 

25. Help (3) 

26. Guiding principles (6) 

27. Leatherneck (6) 

28. Copier (4) 

29. Proofreader’s mark (4) 

30. Noggin (3) 

31. Stretched circle (4) 

32. Able to bounce back (9) 

34. Backside (4) 

35. Clock numeral (3) 

37. Begley and McMahon (3) 

42. Third letter (3) 

44. Like most deli meat (6) 

47. Jacket part (3) 

49. Sir Guinness (4) 

51. Dirty look (5) 

52. Like granola (5) 

53. Existing (5) 

54. Wetsuit wearer (5) 

55. German river (4) 

56. “Eureka!” (3) 

57. Microscope part (4) 

59. Ms. Krabappel (4) 

62. Tell a mistruth (3) 

63. Do some tailoring (3) 

65. Kickoff aid (3) 

We hope you have enjoyed Simple Puzzles for Simple 

People this year. To finish off — spot the difference! 

41

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Nexus 24 2015

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