Revealing Reviews

Content warning: this review discusses themes of graphic violence and feet   This informative film acts as a metaphor for the exploration of one man and his weird obsession with women’s feet. While this review is non-kink shaming, it will explore how the director’s action film is an intertextual expression across

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The Notesapp – Depression in the garden

The sun casts down onto the water that decorates the grass beneath me, a million tiny prisms littering the strands that intertwine like lovers. My feet are white, bleached by the winter of shoes and the endless torrent of rain. Gross. The bottoms of my jeans and the shoulders of my shirt are

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What’s the Buzz – Why does ACT Bee-lieve in Paul Henry? 

Election campaigns are always learning opportunities for political parties. This year, it seems as though ACT is learning the lesson that it is not good practice to take on people with sections of their Wikipedia pages labelled “controversies” to run for List MP.   While I wouldn’t put it past ACT voters to look beyond

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The Horror Within Us: the Horror Genre and Mental Illness

I think horror has always been so strong as a genre because it reflects both the best and worst in us. There’s always been a certain pull to the battles that occur in both literary and film within this area. Never have I been an overly large consumer of horror, mostly because I’m a

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America, what the fuck??? 

You’d think I would have stumbled across it before, but for the first time in my life, I recently saw an anti-abortion sticker on the back of an old woman’s truck. ‘Abortion stops a beating heart.’ Well yeah Susan, that’s kind of the point, so it’s good to know you got the memo. Now obviously, we’re lucky enough to

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Hong Kong’s City of Darkness 

Picture this. The year is 1985, and you are flying into Hong Kong’s old Kai Tak Airport. As you approach the runway, you look out of your window, and what appears is a giant megastructure that is made up of hundreds of buildings crammed together like sardines in a can. What’s even

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Revealing Reviews

This show is a gripping psychological survival horror series about the dangers of child neglect. It follows a young girl who suffers from frequent abandonment, often left to wander the surroundings of her town and nearby jungle alone. As a result of her parent’s frequent neglect, it appears the poor girl has

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History’s Missing Civilisation 

In 1826, explorer Charles Masson of the British East India Company was travelling across the Punjab. Well-versed in the classics, Masson was busy exploring the sites of Alexander the Great’s military campaigns when he stumbled across mysterious ruins near Sahiwal in what is now modern-day Pakistan. Impressed by the site’s size and large

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Night, blooming jagoff – Fakemink’s Terrified

Since his rocket to stardom with the danceable EDM-laden Easter Pink in 2025, UK Rapper Fakemink has been a staple of everyone you know’s TikTok FYP thanks to a slew of catchy hooks, a distinct pitched-up voice and constant invoking of Belgian fashion designer Ann Demeulemeester. Mink’s debut 2023 album London’s Saviour made him concrete in the “UK

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The Notesapp: For Grant

It sat empty, the armchair  Black, bold, scuffed  Home to the ghost of a man  He used to fish,  He used to walk,  He used to laugh,  He used to be  Then he didn’t  It began in his feet,   Tickling his toes and grabbing at his ankles,  A cruel, curling pain 

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$50 date 

Welcome to the $50 Date, where a broke university student takes his girlfriend on a date with a budget of $50, and rates the activities accordingly. The rules of this exercise are simple; Whatever we do, we can only spend $50. Each, or total, I hear you asking? Yes. After the activity,

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What’s The Buzz – MMBee

Some people have a countdown until Christmas. I’m crossing off the days on the calendar until it reaches the 7th of November: Election Day.  Whether you’re anxiously watching the votes get counted, you’re actively avoiding any mention of politics, or you have no idea how to even wrap your head around the election, it’s important to understand

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Toby’s Tips 

For issue 12 I wrote an editorial telling you to use academic jargon and the language of your field of study in your assignments. Here’s more unsolicited advice for writing assignments.  There’s something I’ve noticed to be constant across my assignments, papers, and the fields I’ve studied. Virtually every assignment wants you to apply a framework to

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“I Gotta Put Me First”

The best decision I ever made as someone in their early (to mid) twenties was to stop caring what other people think. And that’s not to say I’m perfect at it but I try to focus on me and only me. I don’t care if my outfits fit the trends; here at Nexus, I write what I want to write. I take uni papers that

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The Difference Between Giving Up and Taking a Break 

University students have become experts at being busy. We juggle lectures, assignments, jobs, internships, clubs, relationships, side hustles, and somehow try to maintain a social life in between. If you’re not exhausted, it almost feels like you’re doing something wrong.  Somewhere along the way, we’ve started wearing stress like a badge of honour.  The advice we’re usually given falls into two

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The Imposition of AI here at UoW 

The following is based on anonymous reports from teaching staff and students, my personal opinion, and a healthy helping of speculation. We cannot find any evidence this is certainly happening; there is no uni statement or policy I could find from a google search. However, if the university is mandating that teaching staff include AI in their

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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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Random Audit – Media100

As a third-year History major, I know fuck all about media. I took the subject in high school, but that was four years ago and I’m pretty certain we just watched movies. So, when I walked into a MEDIA100 tutorial at 2pm a few Fridays ago, I had absolutely no idea what

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Should English be an official language?

No:  Logically, I can see why this would be an ideal option. However, the main thing that must be understood when it comes to an official language in New Zealand is that they are often made that way out of necessity. Te reo was banned from being spoke and by the 80s less than 20% of Māori considered te reo to be their native

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Horoscopes – 30/3/26

Capricorn:   – Capricorn of the month: Sophia Laforteza   – We’re all in this together. Get your ass in gear and fix your sleep schedule. Your parents are worried.   Aquarius:   – Aquarius of the month: the Weekend   – You’re a bad actor and a bad liar. No one is falling for it. Give it up while you’re ahead.  

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Blind Date – Issue 5 2026

“She was a girl. She was also a girl. Can I make it any more obvious? Blind Date is back and we’re bringing the lesbians! (and the bisexuals no bi-erasure here).” Person 1: Before the date I was super nervous got ready hours before hand and kept checking my phone

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Long-distance…yay or nay?

Lauren – for  Lots of people say that distance makes the heart grow fonder. I wouldn’t be the first to avidly agree with that, but I have my fair share of long distance connections all over the world, so I get it. It’s hard, sure, but it’s doable and worth it in the long run. Maintaining a friendship or

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Wet Denim

We sat down with Joe, Luca, Nick and Jack from the 4-piece Pōneke based band Wet Denim on Sunday. Appearing at Homegrown the night before, the band was stoked with how Kirikiriroa came out to support and bust a boogie, commenting: “Yeah, it felt like the main stage was just

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Random Audit: Nursing 102

Because I failed bio consistently throughout high school, I figured there was no better lecture to run into than one of the first for nursing 102; and I was very pleasantly surprised by what I walked into. The class size was massive, and with a diverse range of ages it

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Recipe – Pasta

Less cheap, less easy,   Prep time: 10 minutes  Cook time: 30 minutes  Total time: 40 minutes  Serves: 4  Estimated cost per serve: $5    Why This Slaps ?  This meal is perfect for cooking for someone special, whether you want to show you care or you’re just trying to get laid. It’s pretty easy, relatively cheap, tastes good, and makes a lot.  

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YouTube live Concerts 

Are you too broke to go to live concerts? Do you live in an island nation that your favourite artist won’t ever come to? Or maybe they came to Aotearoa, but now it’s over and the post-concert depression is hitting too hard? Let me introduce you to the world of YouTube live concerts.   Music is at its most

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Who are we? What do we do? What is the deal? How do you get involved?

Nexus Soundcheck is the heart and soul of music journalism in Kirikiriroa. We want to be at every gig, reviewing every newly released album, and interviewing the best and most promising local talent. We’ll be in the mosh with you. We’ll be at the shitty open mic nights with you, and we’ll be with you at the merch table buying a CD withour last

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Recipe – Baguette

Easy Baguette (Makes 2 small)   Ingredients   500 g Standard Flour   350ml Lukewarm water   3g Dry Yeast   10g Salt   This is one of the easiest recipes to get into breadmaking.   Mix flour and water in a bowl until no longer dry, cover and rest for 30 minutes.   This will allow the gluten to

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Random Audit – STGM202

I’m generally not a business or management person, mainly because I don’t like maths besides statistics and I’m bad with money, but for the sake of a random audit I decided to watch a second year strategic management lecture.   The lecture started off with the general admin stuff at the overall course outline. This was of no interest to me, but it was good

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Bisexual girls are allowed to have boyfriends- just accept it.

Since pride month has finally ended, it’s appropriate to talk about what’s happening to bisexual women in queer internet spaces at the moment. Since the 1980s, there has been an observable rift between bisexual women that date men and lesbians, which has been recently revived on social media. I sat down with Sonja Ellis, a professor

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The iPad Kids Aren’t Alright 

A New Plymouth primary school has phased out the use of iPads for students in years one to four.  Omata School was one of the first in the country to adopt the use of devices in the classroom, but Principal Karen Brisco is now not so convinced that they are

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Gymfluencers and the Ozempademic

Scroll through social media for five minutes and you’ll find a new body to aspire to. One creator swears by becoming a “muscle mommy,” another insists Pilates is the secret to a lean physique, while someone else claims marathon training transformed their body and life. Alongside these fitness trends come equally viral

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The Tavern – Grassroots NZ Film with Matt Hicks

Sup Matt! Tell us a bit about yourself and your time at Nexus?  I used to write a column called ‘Making living cheaper with Honest Matt’. It was dodgy (borderline criminal) financial advice for poor students. I won columnist of the year for 2012 and got really drunk at House.    Also, that

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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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LUXON LUCKS-OUT… SO LUX-IS-IN 

On the 21st of April, during a National party caucus meeting, Christopher Luxon initiated a vote of no confidence upon himself, a vote the National party leader and current prime minister survived. This comes after the 1News-Verian Poll placed the National party at just 30% and Luxon’s own personal favorability at 16%, 3% beneath Chris Hipkins. The results incited a resurgence in whispers of a

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Hawaiki takes the stage 

Just before cultural hour, a group of 22 students took the stage at the Pa, performing a mix of song and dance. The students, aged 13 and 14, were visiting Aotearoa from Hawaiki to work with emerging schools, performing on campus to thank the university for their hospitality while they were here.

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Opinion – Ice cream or Pit of Doom?

Look, I’m not gonna tell you who to vote for. If I did, I would rather I would get paid for it and currently I’m not, so free advertising is off the table. There’s a growing discourse around political parties in both New Zealand and the world, with people choosing to opt out of voting. Of course, no

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That vs This – AI Use 

For:  If there’s one thing anyone could have seen coming from a mile away, it’s AI. It may be “new technology” to the general public, but it’s been in development since the 1950s, and a recurring character in science fiction for almost as long.   Our species is defined by innovation. It’s human nature to want to make our lives more convenient,

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OUR CHRISIS

Chrisis… I think I’ve mentioned the word in an article before, but to rip the bias tape off and walk through the door in broad daylight: I don’t think Labour really knows what they’re doing ¯\_(ツ)_/¯     I also don’t think National knows what they’re doing either… obviously. I mean, Luxon’s inability to answer without working through “Well what I’ll say…

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Hamilton Gardens Entry Fee Increase 

Hamilton City Council is proposing increasing the price of entry into the enclosed Hamilton Gardens for non-residents.   If implemented, the price of entry would rise to $27.50 to anyone aged over 16 living outside of Hamilton. This is a 37.5% increase from the $20 paid entry fee introduced in September 2024. The

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Nexus Breaks the News – Issue 7 2026

Secret apartment in US mall went unnoticed for four years:  This is the type of shit that would have had me convinced I could do this in the base when I was like 5 years old. Maybe there’s no time like the present…  Eight children dead after Louisiana mass shooting:  No joke for this

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We’re So Back: And All We Had To Do Was Build a Med School

The University of Waikato is back, and all it took was the promise of a medical school. For the second year in a row, the University has record-high Equivalent Full Time Student Numbers in Hamilton, Tauranga, and distance learning.  Tauranga campus has seen an incredible increase in student numbers this year,

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Opinion – Why do we keep giving David Seymour a microphone?

Why do we keep giving David Seymour a microphone?  If I had to come up with one word to describe this guy it would be ‘dogmatic.’ Most politicians are to some extent, but the way Seymour goes on about a ‘free market’ is frankly baffling. As far back as 2010 on Alberta Primetime, he argued against increasing public

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Nexus Breaks the News – Issue 6 2026

MY ROFLCOPTER GOES SWOI SWOI SWOI SWOI Auckland police have arrested a man after he used a laser to blind a police helicopter. The suspect, a Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz, had been constructing his Helicopterpilotblinderinator for several weeks leading up to his arrest. A NIGHT OUT (OF DATE) Grab your Aelfric

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Left vs Right – Move-on Orders

Right:  Some consider these rules extreme; in fact, one business association head argued this policy is “not the Kiwi way.” However, I strongly believe it’s about time this policy was introduced.  Personally, I’ve had one too many unsettling encounters in the Hamilton city centre. You often see groups of people—mostly rough sleepers—especially at night.

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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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