In Defense of Performative Males

Okay please, let me explain myself.   I fear this is actually an unproductive trend, I fear that calling out ‘performative males’ with their tote bags and their moustaches is actually just bullying men for having a personality. I don’t know about you, but I certainly prefer to surround myself with

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Nexus Book Club: The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

Robert Louis Stevenson’s Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde remains one of the most unsettling Victorian novellas. Published in 1886, it reflects contemporary anxieties about respectability, urban life, and the duality of man, while also anticipating modern debates on the unconscious, addiction, and hidden desires. Though brief in

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The Light in the Dark

Cue Beetoven, symphony No. 5.  Duuh duh duh duuhhh  Duh duh duh duuuuhhhhhhhh…   That’s the song I get when I’m standing in a gothic cathedral, staring up at the vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows shifting the light into colours not previously seen by mankind, the intricate details of every wall

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Wuthering Heights

I’m sure we’ve all watched the erotic “Wuthering Heights” trailer by Emerald Fennell. While some may have been captivated by the bearded Jacob Elordi, Charli XCX, and overall sexual manner to it, this is supposedly a “Wuthering Heights” adaptation, which this trailer doesn’t really cover. The story of “Wuthering Heights”

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Nexus Knows

Anonymous: How to survive a 9 am lecture?   Nexus: The first step is to determine whether your routine needs to/ can change. Do you need to change your sleep schedule and are you capable of doing so? If so, this is a good place to start to get more energy

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Commodifying Pop Culture (In The Form of Tattoo)

There’s something to be said about loving an idea so much that you feel the need to condemn it to permanence. We live in an age that sometimes confuses consumerism with love which means that we need to digest or embody something for our claim over it to feel valid.  

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The Reality for Reality TV: Ink Master *GONG WRONG* (Not Clickbait)

The Season 15 finale of Ink Master became a trigger-point for conversations about art, bias, and representation in traditionally masculine spaces. At its centre was Freddie, a queer finalist on the show, whose interpretation of the challenge theme “female” subverted the expected feminine form into something that sparked debate at

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Reviewing VMA Performances as a Pop Girlie

In no particular order, I was absolutely taken aback by some of the people who took the stage at the recent VMAs. My opinions are entirely biased on account of the fact that I am the biggest fan of so-called ‘basic white girl music’, so if you don’t agree with

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The Price of “Free” Kai

Written by Tawera Marsh When we gather as whānau, as hapū, as iwi, there is always kai. It flows like aroha, endless plates being filled, cups being topped up, hands busy in the kitchen, voices laughing and calling out instructions. To feed people is to manaaki them. To provide kai

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Rongoa For Uni Survival

By Temepara Smith He taonga tuku iho nā ngā tīpuna In traditional times, Māori had many different types of Rongoa for different matenga. Our rongoa practices were birthed from our environment and cultural beliefs. Today, we live in a different environment with its own challenges. Stress, burnout, and anxiety are

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Find Mana in the Small Things

Anita Taiapa Brown “Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu,” Cheesy, but a classic whakatauki that I think embodies the āhua of this article. Mana is in the small things, regardless of how cringe that might seem to you. Being Māori, being Indigenous, being a minority- your existence is a political statement,

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Editorial – Issue 12 2026

Citing McGall’s recent work – seminal in the intersection of nexus thought and academic meta discourse – this paper outlines strategy for furthering one’s linguistic execution in the context of undergraduate scholarship. Positing a reductive angle, sharpened by a pragmatic approach, this article cuts through the academic noise and offers advice both

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The Politics of Exclusion 

The proposed Definitions of Woman and Man bill seeks to define a woman as “an adult human biological female” and a man as “an adult human biological male” in the Legislation Act (2019). Its explanatory note claims the purpose is to “protect the integrity of sex-based rights” and ensure language reflects “biological reality.”

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Fees Free Scrapped

On Friday the 8th of May New Zealand’s beacon of austerity, Nicola Willis, confirmed what NZ First gerontocrat Winston Peters had leaked on Newstalk ZB, that fees free will be scrapped in the upcoming budget. Our very own iron lady shared that “We will have more to say about this in

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Gaza and the Ongoing Reality of Survival

So far this year, international affairs has been consumed by the USA and Isreal targeting Iran, however, the genocide on Palestine hasn’t ended just because Isreal is occupied elsewhere. The scale of suffering in Gaza Strip right now demands attention to what daily life has become for Palestinians still living through the

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An Open Letter to Old People: Gen Z Don’t Like AI 

Japan is turning footsteps into energy… jk.  But that’s an example of one of the many ways AI is enclosing the internet. We, as young people, have seen its slow creep into our lives, from uncanny AI generated images to Russian bots celebrating Putin’s gains in the Donbas. But old people haven’t. They haven’t grown up

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A Rant About Humanities

Toby gave me 48 hour notice to write this editorial because he didn’t want to do it so now I’m going to convince you to study humanities:  When choosing a degree pathway, one question remains: Is the humanities dying? The rise of STEM fields being framed as practical, employable subjects intensify this narrative. Yet, beneath this rhetoric lies

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It’s Time to Invoke the 25th Amendment Against Donald Trump

The presidency of the United States demands judgment, restraint, and a fundamental respect for human life. It also demands a safeguard for those qualities fail. The 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1967, provides a mechanism to remove a president who is unable to carry out the duties of the office. Under Section 4,

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Being the rainbow flying gay

Watching the news as a 11-year-old wondering why my eyes were glued to the TV as Aotearoa announced same-sex marriage was legalised. I didn’t really know what it meant, I just knew something monumental was happening. I developed allyship for these people I didn’t even know existed. By thirteen I had the first inkling I may have been different; I never cared for

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Being Sober(ish)

So much of uni culture revolves around drugs. Getting stoned before class with a mate, getting black out drunk at a house party, taking enough gear at Outback to actually enjoy dnb. Not every student is a drinker, stoner, or junkie, but for many of us that’s how we log off after a long day on Moodle

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Just Chill TF Out

When something goes wrong – a mistake at work, a poor decision, a friendship that falls apart – it can feel like proof that you’ve failed not just at a situation, but at being the person you thought you should be.  Self-criticism can feel productive. We tell ourselves that if we’re tough enough on our mistakes, we’ll never

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One Foot Back in the Closet

The last time you read an editorial of mine I was out as a gay man. Now, I’m bi. What changed? Well, a lot really.  It’s funny because people who have been in my life since high school weren’t really surprised by the change – like Ruby – because it was my third time coming out, lol. I was straight (by default) ’til halfway

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A love Letter to Nexus Readers

My Dearest Reader,  Permit me a moment of shameless vulnerability.  I have been noticing you – your curiosity, your late-night scrolling fatigue, your quiet suspicion that the world is louder than it is wise. And I must confess: I was made for you.  While others compete to be first, I long to be

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Random Audit – Drug-Drug Interactions –  BIOMD 202 

“Drug reactions can be unpredictable, rare, and can vary from patient to patient. That’s what makes them idiosyncratic – we don’t know what causes it.”  That’s the first thing I hear after walking into BIOMD202, and I start to wonder if I’m on drugs as I’ve missed half of this lecture trying to find MSB 1.05, which took me roughly

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Welfare, Benefits, and Entitlements

Four people who’ve never voted or voted but didn’t care sit in a room and learn about politics, so you don’t have to. This week: Welfare, benefits, and entitlements  LABOUR  -Have been critical of the coalition government’s changes to welfare and benefits such as Temporary Additional Support and the upping of the minimum income contribution for those receiving the Income-Related Rent

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Greyhound Ban 

The government has turned into a stay-at-home boy mum Facebook group who have nothing better to do than complain about things that don’t really involve them. Every time I open my phone I get blasted with articles about shit our government is fucking with now instead of the things we actually asked for. Although I am

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Horoscopes – Issue 12 2026

Aries- We all know you’re procrastinating on that assignment, stop putting it off and you’ll feel better.  Taurus- It’s ok to ask people for help, you’re not inconveniencing people, I promise.  Gemini- Try that new hobby you’ve always wanted to, it’s not about being good it’s about enjoying it.  Cancer- Stop wasting time on your friend that’s always stirring up drama, they’re not worth your time.  Leo- Sometimes it’s ok to beat a

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Really, REALLY good creamy tomato pasta. 

Studylink just hit? This is the meal for you. Delicious, super easy, and not overly expensive.  Playlist: Anything you want really. I’d start with 4EVER by clairo, She’s my Collar by Gorillaz and Kali Uchis, and Redbone by Childish Gambino.  You will need:  Method: 

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What it takes to be a Genre: Desert Blues.  

Guitar driven, rolling beats. Quick looping drums, and jazz-like solos. Lyrics that float through your ears and reverberate in your brain. Northan and West Africa. Indigo blue tagelmust. Desert Blues music is mostly in their native language of Tamasheq, but understanding it is not so important as feeling it.   My first exposure

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The Staircase To Stardom Tour 

Audrey Hobert, night one of two shows at Auckland’s Powerstation, and the excitement raging through the air was intoxicating. The mezzanine upstairs was the all ages access, which, if you got there as soon as the doors opened and snagged a spot right at the barricade, was arguably a better view than being down on

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Horoscopes – Issue 11 2026

Aries – Someone’s doing rituals to get your attention late at night in their bedroom, so maybe figure out who it is in case they make a voodoo doll and you find yourself having sharp pains in your chest at random times throughout the day.  Taurus – You don’t have to save all of your stickers for a

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Making food with no money – Casserole

This is a very cheap and easy meal that is great for the winter months and is bound to accelerate the seasonal depression. This meal isn’t that tasty, looks pretty shit but can be cooked while you’re not at home and costs fuck all.  Ingredients   Method   Go to the supermarket and get one of those brown paper bags.

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Maiki Sherman’s resignation: more than just a controversy

Maiki Sherman has resigned from her role as political editor for 1News at TVNZ.   That’s the headline, but it’s not the full picture. The circumstances surrounding her resignation have been only one part of an ecosystem of muddied waters that now make up the relationship between Parliament, the media, and the New Zealand

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The Rise and Fall of Fees Free

The tumultuous history of deciding who pays for university  The University of Waikato opened in1964, and its students back then had a much different experience financing university than we do today. From 1962 until 1989, the government paid for tertiary tuition fees in full with the state bursary.   As the story often goes, all good things

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Red or Black? 

It’s not much of a secret that online gambling has seen a rise in popularity in the last few years, especially with the younger generation. The technology being offered today means you can gamble from anywhere you can find a connection, anytime you want, on whatever device you’re using. It’s convenient, accessible, and marketed as entertainment suited

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An Objectively Good Jawline – the Dehumanisation of Looksmaxxing

Content warning: mentions of sexual violence, drug use and suicide   The popularisation of looksmaxxing has opened a gaping glory hole in the manosphere – ironically by some of the most homophobic people on the internet.   Looksmaxxing, a portmanteau of ‘looks’ and ‘maximising’, is the idea and practice of improving one’s physical appearance through a variety of

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Metamodernism: The Feeling After Irony 

At some point in the early 21st century, it became clear that the cultural mood had shifted. The ironic detachment that defined late 20th-century art and thought – so central to postmodernism – no longer felt sufficient in a world shaped by climate anxiety, digital hyperconnectivity, and renewed political urgency. Yet a return to

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Amplifying Stripper Voices in Aotearoa: Pole, Politics and Power

Brittle Splits is a 30-something year old Waikato Arts alumni, who wears nipple pasties and fishnet tops onstage (in 9 inch boots) just for fun—and feminist expression, duh. Here, she outlines the mediascape of pole politics within Aotearoa. She recommends strippers to follow (Online only. Do. Not. Stalk.) for equal

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MISSED OPPORTUNITY 

FORGED IN FAILURE AFTER FAILURE  Founded in 2016 by eccentric millionaire and Wellington Phoenix Co-Owner Gareth Morgan, The Opportunities Party was at best quixotic and at worst your most stoned friends half-baked take on civics lessons they hadn’t really paid attention to. Morgan was already somewhat of a meme-worthy celebrity, and the founding of what was, for all intents and purposes, a vanity party was

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Doomsday Mentality

I try to avoid watching the news these days.   Whenever I do it just seems like a sickening tableau of ruin. A macabre parade before the end of the world with grand marshals who sit in ivory towers and feed off the flesh of the masses beneath them. More and more I think that I

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I think the Old White Bearded Guy Was Right.

Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie are having sex again, but now it’s happening in a scene written by a chatbot that has never wanted anything in its life. It looks like a story: there’s rhythm, description, a beginning and an end. But nothing is at stake. No one is there behind it. Hollywood is doing a slower

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Do young people really care about religion?

Growing up in a very Catholic school system all the way from year one to year thirteen, learning about religion was more of an obligation than a choice, though I will admit, it wasn’t all that bad. I was surrounded by classmates who had very differing opinions on the topic: some hated

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Nexus Breaks the News – 23/3/26

Trump buys all of his staff the same shoes, guesses shoe sizes:   There are so many layers to this that I could make a joke about this with, but the fact he said “everyone’s afraid not to wear them” says enough I think.  A drone looking for a missing man finds a bear waking

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Opinion: University Parking

For $3 a day paying for a park on campus, it should be a hell of a lot easier to find a space, but apparently, everyone and their mother wants to circle the place as soon as I do too. I’m living in self-catered accommodation, and there’s still not enough parking for us. As much as

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SAVE THE PLANET? LET’S FUCK UP SPACE INSTEAD!

Ok, technically not the view of anyone not wearing a Maga hat or owning Twitter but it isn’t far off, at least according to Dr Anna Marie Brennan, a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Law.   In an interview with the University of Waikato Dr Brenan (pictured) said private companies are rapidly turning asteroid mining into a

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Should speed limits be lowered on Te Rapa Road?

The Hamilton City Council is proposing lowering the speed limit on a 460m stretch of Te Rapa Road from 80 km/h to 60 km/h. The speed limit change would apply between Hutchinson Road and State Highway 1C.   Why?   One of the consequences of calling Hamilton the city of the future is that

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NOT DEAD YET: Nexus CRITICal response to Otago and OUSA.

Toward the end of the 2010s then Nexus Editor Lyam Buchanan and Critic Editor Joel McManus before people recognised his actual talents in journalism, hatched a scheme to buy Wellington’s Salient Magazine. Now, Salient was never actually for sale, but issues with Victoria University and VuWsa had created a significant risk that

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Nexus Breaks the News – 16/03/26

Iran war pushes fuel past $100 usd per barrel:  This is definitely our sign to flood the Hamilton bus system and finally take advantage of that student pricing.  Judith Collins regarding Christopher Luxon: “he’s excellent”  The results of that recent poll definitely say otherwise, but whatever butters your lobster queen. Just remember that’s the party you quit. 

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Humanitarian Crisis Deepens for Palestinians in 2026

The humanitarian situation for Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank continues to worsen in 2026, as ongoing violence, restrictions on aid, and political tensions intensify across the region.  In Gaza, millions of residents remain heavily dependent on humanitarian assistance after years of war and destruction. Aid groups warn that the closure of

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Te Huia Extension: BREAKING NEWS 

Apparently, there has been a train from Hamilton to Auckland since 2021, and I’m only just learning about it after reading news of a one-year extension to its government funding. As a lifelong JAFFA, I grew up with public transport – Auckland Transport buses to school, train rides to the city or mall, and the

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Extreme Weather in New Zealand Continues to Worsen

It is no surprise for many to hear of the various extreme weather events that have rocked Aotearoa over the past few months (additionally, the past couple of years). From rain, to slips, to temperature changes, every part of the country has recently been feeling the effects of a changing climate.    As of

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Blocking the block on puberty blockers

A big bit of the rhetoric used to push the regulations of puberty blockers is the medical angle. “There just isn’t enough long-term research about the benefits and risks involved with supplying these drugs to young people with gender dysphoria” is the angle that this government went with. Is this really valid? I reached out to Dr. Steven Lillis

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Pride and Alleyship

To start off with, I think you need to talk about the difference between queer and being gay. Because being queer is the political identity that is rooted in the whakapapa of Stonewall Riots, which was black trans women leading the way. And when you take away the political agency that we

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Nexus Breaks the News – 09/03/26

The US, Iran and Israel are almost in full-blown war.  I know there’s always a lot of chat going around about how WWIII is probably on the way at some point, but this genuinely feels like it is the beginning of really bad things. 48 Iranian leaders and 3 US soldiers dead in

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Reviews – 2/09

Music – Short and Sweet (Sabrina Carpenter) 10/10  Sabrina Carpenter’s latest album ‘Short and Sweet’ is essentially an ovulation album. It’s incredibly horny but still delivered with class. It’s as if she channelled hormonal surge into these tracks, delivering pop bangers and ballads with equal flair. From soaring choruses to

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Reviews – 5/8

Umbrella Academy 8/10  I think we all need a reminder of what this show is about before we decide to commit ourselves to another season. The plot is basically just superheroes, conspiracy theories, and multiple reasons to cry.  Defs Watch If:  You’re sick of the same three comic/superhero brands pumping

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Reviews – 22/7

Challengers (2024) 10/10  “Challengers,” is an absolute cinematic gem directed by Luca Guadagnino. Starring the radiant Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O’Connor, it is a steamy blend of sports drama and temptation. Guadagnino, known for his visually stunning narratives, brings his signature flair to this movie, (literally) sporting vibrant visuals,

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Reviews – 8/07

H2O: Just Add Water 8/10   You know what? Maybe being a mermaid is fun and all, but I could never imagine not being able to relieve myself while standing in the shower. It is so satisfying when warm water comes from both ends. I apologise for the disgusting description, but

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Reviews – 20/5

Baby Reindeer: 8/10 Buckle up, because “Baby Reindeer” is not your average sleigh ride through the snow. Directed by the mastermind Richard Gadd, this theatrical spectacle plunges you into the depths of one man’s unravelling psyche with all the subtlety of a reindeer in a china shop.  At its core,

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Reviews – 6/5

Too Sweet – Hozier 9/10 OKAY SO APPARENTLY HOZIER RELEASED “WORK SONG” 10 YEARS AGO???? In said song he says “‘Cause my baby’s sweet as can be. She gives me toothaches just from kissing me”. Right? Okay? Do we all agree? REMEMBER THIS FACT. Now, in his latest release “Too

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Reviews – 8/4

Normal people 10/10 As a survivor of toxic relationships, I found myself seeking comfort in tragic love stories. One of my favourites, Normal People, recently gained its well-deserved recognition on TikTok and Instagram movie edit accounts. I will try my HARDEST not to spoil the 12-episode TV show so here

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Reviews – 25/3

The Bear  Have you ever dreamt of coming home from work, putting on a show, and feeling like you’re working again- in a high-stress kitchen in downtown Chicago? The head chef is screaming at you to cook for your life, while you try not to pass from heat exhaustion as

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Reviews – 11/3

Dune: Part Two    9/10 With an IMDb rating of 9, Dune: Part Two has been praised in its ability to solidify itself (and the ongoing trilogy) as a film success. The long-awaited sequel explored Paul Atreides’ (Timothée Chalamet) journey in adapting to the Fremen ways, becoming the Duke of

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Reviews – 26/2

Bob Marley: One Love  7/10 Biopics are always a hit or miss with some viewers sharing their appreciation for the work whilst others drag it through the mud. It seems as though “Bob Marley: One Love” was not exempt from these mixed responses.  Some positive reviews have exclaimed that the

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Kōrero Mai – Issue 10 2026

I’ll just come right out and say it. If there were no extra financial support for education, I would not be attending university right now. Many tauira don’t have the luxury of a safety net or financial stability. Many come from homes that don’t have an extra $20 to spare.  Back in the dark ages, in

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Kōrero Mai – Issue 7 2026

Tauira Māori on campus   Māne (Monday)  Tūrei (Tuesday)  Wenerei (Wednesday)  Hoki atu ki tō kāinga – Just go home   Nā Elyse Rahiri   Only a quarter of the way through the year and already most of us are feeling a bit pau te hau. Getting back into the swing of study can be overwhelming and even worse if you have people pleasing tendencies, don’t say

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Kōrero Mai

Tauira Māori on campus   Tūrei (Tuesday)  Wenerei (Wednesday)  Taite (Thursday)  Te Waiora – Rā Hākinakina | Gate 2b – 4:30 pm  Reo Māori Phrases of the Week  Kia ora koutou! Here are some useful everyday Reo Māori phrases to help you talk about holidays, whānau, and what you’ve been up to.  COLUMN  I tōku whānau tokorua ōku kuia, noho tahi ai. Arā, ko tōku kuia a toto nei, me te kuia o tōku ngākau. Ko te rongo o te aroha, kāore i rerekē. He tirohanga Māori tēnei. Ahakoa te momo aroha,

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Kōrero Mai

By now you’ve probably heard we’ve got a new name. We’re still WSU, but now we also carry our ingoa Māori, Te Awa Kōtui.  This didn’t happen overnight. WSU has been working towards an ingoa Māori that truly reflects us and our tauira for a long time, across multiple boards. I also want to acknowledge the presidents, vice presidents, VP Māori, and life members who contributed

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He Kura Tūroa

Kia ora, my name is Anaia Rua, and I am from Ngāi Tūhoe & Ngāti Awa. In the following piece, I reflect on the profound connection shared between Aotearoa and our relatives from Hawai’i during the “He Kura Tūroa” wānanga.    He Kura Tūroa: Relatives Across the Pacific  He ahurea te taiao, he taiao te ahurea. The environment is the culture, the culture is the

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Tikanga: Does It Evolve in a Modern World? 

A question I heard recently has been sitting with me: can tikanga evolve in a modern world? It came up during a kōrero between a group of tauira, and it sparked a lot of reflection for me about what I’ve been taught and how I understand tikanga today. For many people, tikanga is

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Tauira Māori on campus

There’s a strong Māori presence on campus and plenty happening this week, from Cultural Hour to weekly wānanga and study spaces. If you want to meet other tauira, build your reo, or spend time in a Māori space between classes, there are kaupapa running across campus. Keep an eye on…  Te whakahiapo – Maori law students association – @te_whakahiapo 

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