




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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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,

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
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
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
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
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

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

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.”

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

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

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

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

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,

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

When we were friends is The Backseat Lovers’ 2019 debut album, an indie, slightly pop-rocky-y lyrical exploration of being 18-20, learning about people and the world, and having wonderful experiences whilst being not too sure on what to think of them. The album opens with ‘Watch Your Mouth’, a song about wanting to help someone you love get through something, before

It is the first week back at uni (yay) and I had nothing better to do. Actually that is a lie, I was assigned three practicals on my first day back that I had to complete by the end of the week but instead of doing that, I decided to attend a random lecture. You’re welcome.

Aries: Have you thought about cancelling that gym membership? When was the last time you actually went? Cancer: Do not go anywhere near the library stairs this week. You will be cursed to fall down them. Aquarius: Consider the fact that doing the readings for class might actually help you pass whatever you’re
Best songs with colours in the title Back to Black: Amy Winehouse Black Hole Sun: Soundgarden Brown Sugar: The Rolling Stones Red Moon: Big Thief Orange Show Speedway: Lizzy McAlpine Big Yellow Taxi: Joni Mitchell Yellow ledbetter: Pearl Jam Green Light: Lorde Blue Monday: New Order Purple Rain: Prince Pink + White: Frank Ocean

Do I know if someone has already done a random audit on this class? Absolutely not, and I don’t care. This dumbass, meaning me, was going to audit another class only to find out that the lecture does not exist. I won’t be taking questions on how I managed that. So, after a quick

Aries: Supporting Taylor Swift at your grown age is a horrible choice. Please get a hobby or something instead. Cancer: I know you’re the asshole who overstays their welcome at the pub. Please leave so the poor staff can close. Aquarius: Picking a gross vape flavour will not help you quit. You’ll just end up enjoying

Picture this, I’m in my flat on the other side of the world. No less than a month into my exchange semester in the UK. I’m making lunch and decide to play some music. Something chill, singable, slower paced, that’s what I’m needing right now. My legendary flat mate, Ava, (I miss you, Ava) walks in with the most baffled

Aries: Your back is fucked from work, and it’s a responsible idea to see the physio. Think of the ACC money. Cancer: Please continue visiting the cinema once a week. You’re keeping it alive, and we all appreciate it. Aquarius: Bored? Crazy idea! Go clean out your car. It’s actually disgusting inside and out. Sagitarius: How long has it

Joe sat down with James – self professed Muso and Hamilton lover #1 – to discuss how he put on a gig in town to celebrate his birthday and the music that he loves; Rather than let culture be something that happens to him, he got stuck in and built it up

Cease & Desist – a hardcore band from Hamilton, New Zealand. Koen play bass and does lead vocals, Caleb plays drums and does backing vocals and Oliver plays guitar. Per their description, they play music that makes you wanna throw hands with the person standing next to you. Photography by:

Lans sat down with their cousin Jayden Keoghan, founder and managing director of August Avenue who represents artists such as Bic Runga, Borderline, Kimbra, and Sol3 Mio. Waikato raised, Keoghan talked about how you can become an artist in Aotearoa, what managers are looking for, and some inspiring words for

Creatives love to claim they’re too fluid & talented to be defined by a single term, ‘producer’, ‘rapper’, ‘activist’, ‘influencer’ etc. But Mazbou Q is one of the few people who actually transcend your understanding of a defined creative. Far more than all of those terms, Mazbou Q is truly

If you ever thought our local music scene was lame, it’s because your uncultured ass hasn’t checked out @thegloveboxofficial on Instagram. Run by Logan Lewis, a musician who used to skate with me back in high school, the platform is a scuba dive into the underground of NZ music’s new

Many of us have dreamed of being a musician at some point in our lives, and some of us are or will be. But, in such a wildly competitive market, it can feel impossible to know what to do and how to get there. Where do you start? Is there

Last week I interviewed Bella, the frontwoman and vocals, and Leo, the bass player of Coast Arcade – a 4-piece indie rock band from Auckland – who in my uneducated, groupie opinion, are the most promising new band of the 21st century. Here’s our discussion. Talk to me about Acetone,

Dylan Jarrett – I believe technology can be used to unshackle the Proletariat. Toby Brockelbank – I believe technology shackled the Proletariat.

Is there really a boogieman behind the screen? Amira explores this question. Disclaimer: I am not an expert. This article also contains sensitive topics, self-harm, eating disorders etc that may be triggering for some readers. Every cell phone owning adolescent/young adult has heard it at some point: cell phones are

Nexus finally put our phones down to interview two campus experts regarding how social media changes language and our growing use of therapy speak in the writer’s room, you gaslighting toxically masculine covert narcissist. Toby met with Andreea Calude, a UoW linguist and an author who published “The Linguistics of

Though you may know Pride Month to be in June, there are proud reasons why Aotearoa’s is in February. If you are looking for a refresher or need a full debrief, here’s a timeline of our country’s LGBTQ+ revolution. Pre-colonisation, tangata whenua were widely accepting of what we now call

It’s a new year: you’ve managed to find some decent friends and rallied them together to find a flat. Fuck, now what? The trials and tribulations of flatting can rip apart the closest of friends, or bind you together closer than any life-or-death experience could. It can bring you to

So, you’re new to flatting? Well, here’s an archetype guide no-one asked for. NIHILISM Nihilism won’t pay rent cos “nothing matters”. Or clean. Or tidy. Or speak to you. Or reply in the flat chat. Or attend flat meetings. Or exist beyond the occasional groan echoed around the dystopian hallways

Not Newsmaker of the week: Chappell Roan: Babes, I think your time as a popular artist has well and truly expired. The more you treat your fans like shit, the less likely they are to support you. Just calm the fuck down, and appreciate them for making you rich. Max Verstappen wins at the Nurburgring,

It is an election year, so every week Nexus will cover new policies it finds interesting and try to get the politicians to speak to us. The obvious place to start was with the Greens who launched A Home for Everybody, last week. So we asked Dylan Jarrett to cover it while Toby Brockelbank sat down with Francisco Hernandez – You can view an

If you’re flatting or have ever explored the area around the University specifically on the knighton road side then you’ve probably noticed the absolute huge clusterfuck of rubbish that piles up on every street corner and every footpath and every park. Black trash bags seem to spawn in around bin day along with a mattress that never goes away, then

The WSU unveiled its new name with a Karakia and a kai, in an intimate ceremony for staff, guests, and alumni on March 25th in the Sub Zero Lounge of the Student Union Building. Te Awa Kōtui was unveiled as a replacement for the previous translative name of the Waikato Students’ Union and was adopted for use in an event organised and catered by the WSU Experience team . “The

After a long eighteen years down in Wellington, the Homegrown music festival made its comeback where it all began, right here in Hamilton. The move was prompted by the popularity of the event, causing the number of attendees to more than double since it settled in Wellington from around 10,000 to 24,000

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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,

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

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,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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,

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

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

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

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