The Notesapp
“I BO” the syntax of colonials the blackened connotation of creoles the substrate of the enslaved lives with the lexicon killed The bastard children of conquerors growing gardens the blood that’s spilled no child looks like his skin that’s the price of the thrill when your descendants are bought Your
The Notesapp – I Miss You
You were waiting for me, The sun met your skin, Absorbing rays like they were yours to take. I almost skimmed past, But you caught my attention, The right moment – our moment. Golden locks settled inside you. There was something clean about you, with the smell of warm grain,
What’s the Buzz – Luxon needs to Beehive himself
I think we bullied Christopher Luxon a bit too hard. I never thought I’d say that, but after all the jokes about him avoiding questions, he’s really started to speak his mind. If you think that’s a good thing, then what I’d say to you is that what’s going on
Long History Of Creativity: AI’s Problem With Human Hands.
It’s almost pyrrhic that Artificial Intelligence struggles to replicate the way hands look, when some of the first pieces of evidence regarding human creativity are handprints branded on the walls of caves. Located in Indonesia are what is believed to be the oldest known handprint stencils, dated around 67,800 years
Notesapp – three
I fell in love with the moon the darkness swallowed a pale silver glow on pink blush cheeks lay awake with the stars where in the week-long nights there was company I fell in love with the sun shining on ocean waves with my feet in the shallows sinking into the sand golden
$50 Date
Welcome back to the $50 Date, the column where a broke Uni student tries to have fun somewhere near to Hamilton without breaking the bank. The rules of the activity haven’t changed; We get $50 (Each or total, it’s not specified), we find something to do fairly close to Hamilton,
The Hindi–Urdu Controversy
Many people think of Hindi and Urdu as two distinct languages. Others believe the exact opposite. In my experience, few debates get as heated as those concerning the relationship of Hindi and Urdu. Open the comment section of any video discussing this question, and you will find Hindi and Urdu
The Finnish Line
About Understanding / Ymmärryksestä I’ve been training how to speak English for over a decade now. In Finland, most people have learnt English since elementary school as a mandatory part of the curriculum. We learnt proper UK pronunciation, we watched The Simpsons, we did everything in school and outside of
Auckland’s Aotea Square, Skateboarders, & A.I.
To skateboarders, where we skate matters. AI will harm our connection to the places we skate. This may seem like a small concern in the scheme of things, but that might be the point. Maybe you don’t care about skateboarders, but something as specific as this shows us just how all-consuming AI’s effects
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
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
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
Opt-Out of Voting ACT
ACT’s newest policy is giving students false hope for cheaper study costs. Under its proposed tertiary policy, students would be able to opt out of paying Student Services Fees, which currently help everything from our health services to UniRec to this very magazine. ACT argues this would give students more
Post-irony, AI, and Trust in the Media
Over the past decade trust in the media has declined. I think this has moved beyond postmodern scepticism, so I’ve written a bit about how technology influences culture and reminded you all that we’re getting fucked by AI. I believe the gap between media’s representation of truth and reality itself
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
“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
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
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
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
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.”
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
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
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
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
Random Audit BIOMO202 – PHARMACOGENOMICS!?
For the second time in as many weeks, I struggle to find MSB 1.05. This is getting embarrassing. At least I’m only ten minutes late this time. Luckily for me, BIOMO202 Genetics is not my class, so the missed notes aren’t an issue, but I’m starting to wonder if I’m in the wrong degree… because this is interesting.
Horoscopes – Issue 13
Aries: Yes, watching a horrific Netflix documentary before bed will help you sleep tonight. Cancer: That guy off Tinder does not give a fuck about you. Please let it go, queen. Aquarius: Your Letterboxd profile is cool, and funny. And your top four are awesome too. Sagitarius: I love your
Slightly improved tomato soup
Playlist: The ratatouille soundtrack. The vibes are the most important part of this meal. Ingredients: Method:
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
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
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
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
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:
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
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
Please Don’t Let the CIA Steal This Idea and Weaponise it
An Ode to All the Stuff I’ve Lost to the Void: “Heart of darkness Devoid of mind Desperation imminent Give me my fucking stuff back.” If I tell you I am a chronic loser of stuff, no one would be surprised. Constantly having tabs on where everything in your life is seems to be
I’ll Be Your Favourite Author’s Favourite Author
Ever since I could remember, I’ve been a writer. It’s been in my blood since the first day I picked up a pen and discovered I could create whatever I wanted out of nothing but the ink, a random piece of paper, and whatever my imagination could possibly think to
The True Crime Fascination
The True Crime Fascination Morbid curiosity. On some level, we’re all guilty of it. You drive past a car crash and you’re watching to see if you can catch a glimpse of anything, you see a taped off crime scene swarming with cops and you walk a little slower past
The Department of Information
Noah: A few mates making documentaries on things we’re interested in. Noah: Louis and I met at uni. Gryffin’s my cousin. Louis: We were all helping out at 95bFM and John Campbell came in one evening to give a talk. He told everyone off for only speaking with pundits, politicians
Because The Original Wasn’t Enough
Let’s be honest: fan fiction is the internet’s wild, untamed jungle—a place where Harry Potter can fall in love with Draco Malfoy, Sherlock Holmes can solve crimes with Pikachu, and absolutely no one is safe from an unexpected vampire transformation or being human trafficked by their mother to a boyband.
Cosplay (Pros and) Cons Newbie to Experienced
Sarah: Semi-retired cosplayer The first time I ever cosplayed it was 2019, and I still cared about the MCU. I walked into Tauranga Armageddon in an incredibly hodgepodge crimson coat and bodice knowing full well that the cheap curtain fabric wasn’t particularly accurate to the Scarlet Witch costume I had tried
Beating Endo
By Maya Trotman Nearly every evening I would be sitting on the couch with a heat pack on my stomach holding painkillers with a glass of water ready. One evening, the worst pain of my life arrived. I was in the bathroom, scared, because now I knew this wasn’t normal,
Popping Pills
Prescription Abuse and The Pharmaceutical Black Market Unlike most of our writers who spend their time writing on Substack or Wattpad, turns out someone had a friend outside of our writer’s room. Some friends have different struggles to you, and some struggles have more stigma, consequences, and are harder, if
Embracing Kinks
Destigmatising Desire and Navigating Consent Sexuality is a vast, colourful spectrum, and kinks, unconventional sexual interests or practices are a vibrant part of it. Yet, despite growing conversations about sex-positivity, many kinks remain shrouded in stigma, misunderstanding, or shame. Destigmatising kinks is not just about making sex more fun; it’s
God Says Justice, Not Desire
Polygamy in Islam through the eyes of a young woman Having grown up in a Muslim home, I was taught that Islam is a religion founded in justice, mercy, and balance: A faith that champions the rights of women, protects the vulnerable, and demands fairness in every aspect of life.
Language with Julie
Is language the truest representation of a culture? And if not, what do you think is the truest representation? I probably wouldn’t use the word ‘true’ or ‘truth’ in reference to culture, but I am very interested in the belief systems that underpin our cultural practices, how we express those
Kickflipping in Palestine
Skateboarding means the world to skaters from everywhere. Skating is a radical, inclusive, and interconnected community with a philosophy of Fuck You to anyone who tells us what to do, how to live, or where we can skate. It’s a small world in skateboarding but also a spread out one
Stod Smash – An Interview with the Pineja Drummer
I interviewed an old mate from high school who just so happens to drum for Pineja. Super talented, smart, nice, & funny dude, but he supports Chelsea so there’s definitely room to be cooler. Stod got me into Songs for the Deaf & The Strokes so fair to say he’s
NATIONAL ARE POCKET-WATCHING YOUR PARENTS – THE WAR ON NEETs
The NACTFirst coalition’s favourite move – the infatigable passing under urgency – was flourished again on Friday, the 28th of August. Jobseeker beneficiaries aged 18-19, whose parents make $67,225 or more, will lose access to their benefits. This policy has been critiqued since it was launched. The Green party argued
GETTING (STUDENTS) BACK ON TRACK (TO VOTE FOR NATIONAL)
National MP Nicola Willis unveiled a new policy which the party promises to implement if reelected in November. They announced they would reduce the student loan repayment rate to 10% from 12% after having been the ones that increased it to 12% back in 2012 to begin with. Far be
OBITUARIES
Towards the end of August, we were rocked by a string of high-profile deaths. On the 25th of the month, the Queen of Country, American Singer-Songwriter, actress and philanthropist Dolly Parton passed away in Nashville Tennessee following a battle with Cancer. Parton is of course remembered for her music career
Apprently Kids Need to Touch More Grass
The Government has introduced legislation that would prevent children under 16 from holding accounts on major social media platforms, putting New Zealand alongside a growing number of countries attempting to restrict young people’s access to social media. The Online Safety (Minimum Age and Child Safety Risk Assessment) Bill, introduced to
Nexus Breaks the News – Issue 19
LABOURS OF LOVE Hipkins has suddenly pulled away from it’s commitment to reinstate the Māori Health Authority out of fears that, if they did reinstate it, it would just meet the same fate. Hipkins further said, “Nah yea, gotta be honest we’ve realised that we don’t actually really need to do
The People of Hamilton Cannot Drive
If you’ve driven anywhere in Hamilton in the last year, you’d notice there seems to be an epidemic of very poor drivers on our roads, making bad decisions and making our city look worse than it already does. With a whopping 338 accidents or fatal crashes on our Hamilton roads
Te Piringa Political Debate
Waikato students and residents gather in te Pā to witness our very own political debate. With Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke representing Te Pāti Māori, Opportunity party leader Qiulae Wong, Dr. Parmjeet Parmar from Act, Hamilton East candidate Georgie Dansey (Labour), Hon Tama Potaka – our current Hamilton West MP with National, Dr
Human Ethics Committee Wait Times Leaving Students in the Lurch
Wait times for the Human Ethics committee in Health research have left much to be desired, affecting the work of many Honours and Post-graduate students. One student stated that in 2025, they submitted their research proposal to the ALPSS ethics committee in April, intending to start research in May. While
Nexus Breaks the News – Issue 18
#FUMBLEOFTHECENTURY No, this isn’t about Penk’s failure to overthrow the government. No, this isn’t about Luxon basically giving TOP over to the left bloc right before they got kingmaker status. This is about your flatmate locking himself in his bedroom after texting “W Tits” to a woman on Hinge. At least
Grow Up and Start a Small Business
Lucky for Rotorua, PM Luxon met with their Business Chamber to discuss the state of the economy for small business owners. Unlucky for said business owners, Luxon had some not so nice things to say. After stating that small business owners need to simply “be adult” when facing rising costs
Winston’s Wignats – NZFirst has a Nazi problem.
In a shock to a surprising amount of people, a senior NZFirst youth figure was revealed to have been connected to far-right messaging networks. Nicholas Newport/Wells, 26, a former Waikato University student, was linked to at least one social media account that repeatedly posted ‘Heil Hitler!’, and which expressed support
India’s “Cockroach” Uprising: How a Meme Movement Shook Modi’s BJP
For the past 12 years, India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has risen almost unimpeded. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the party has won election after election and built a governing coalition that dominates India’s Parliament. Over the years, Modi has cultivated an image as a strong leader who doesn’t bend
Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour (5/5)
There are no words to describe this event. I genuinely fked myself going to this concert because after this there won’t be any better concert to go to. Benito is a great guy, one of the best people alive, but he fked my life and left me in an existential void. It was an amazing show,
? By Bassvictim.
Propelled to the forefront of the whole electroclash/knitted sweater/no-its-not-indie-sleaze-dont-call-it-that London/New York “scene” with their two 2025 albums Basspunk 2 and Forever, Bassvictim’s Ike Clatman and Maria Monrow have had an open messiness to their image that lands somewhere between Pete Doherty with Kate Moss and the Instagram stories of that highschool couple you’re sort of worried about. Although
The Moment
+4 Charli XCX’s new film The Moment is both a cringe-fest and a beautiful commentary on modern pop music, set to bratty beats we know and love. While the British popstar isn’t the greatest actress of all time, her ability to tap into emotions on a dime is admirable, and within the context of the film, she
Bridgerton: Do Better
1/5 The fourth season of Netflix’s Bridgerton takes us beyond the surface-level luxury of the Ton and into the servant’s quarters, showing us the Cinderella-esque Sophie Baek and her blossoming romance with one Benedict Bridgerton. While this author is unable to fault the season’s main event, the short and sudden side plots do have her
Heated Rivalry: It’s gay, not queer
-4/5 If you’ve had any internet access in the last few months, you would have heard of the mega-hit TV show Heated Rivalry. What you might not have heard about it, is that it’s pretty much total slop that turns a blind eye to the struggles of queer people internationally and deliberately excludes complex narratives in the name
Wuthering Heights
Rating: +2 “Come Undone” reads every poster for director Emerald Fennell’s latest venture, a film adaptation of Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel, “Wuthering Heights”. But this tagline begs the question, “will I, really come undone?”. What starts off as a beautiful love story between two children in the English countryside and progresses to a deep-rooted tension between two of the
Willoughby Tucker Forever Tour 13/02
Southern Gothic meeting dream-pop meeting drone has landed in Auckland. Ethel Cain enchanted Auckland Town Hall on the two sexiest days of February 2026 – Friday the 13th and Valentine’s Day. As an attendee of night one, it feels good to say: “if you weren’t there you really missed out.” Raised
“We’re here, baby!” – Lorde, Ultrasound Tour (11-2-26)
It’s a warm Auckland Wednesday, and Spark Arena is buzzing with excitement, and the smell of Ariana Grande perfume. The Auckland-born singer Lorde (29) played the iconic New Zealand venue, Spark Arena, in front of 13,000 of her fans, dressed in a t-shirt, jeans, and her signature black curls. As
REVIEWS
ROLLING “STONED” REVIEWS – by Kyuss Maxwell In our typically surreal antics Nexus found a random stoner at the skatepark who was willing to review his fave underground local bands for a few strong beers. We’re talking underground UNDERGROUND. Rise the Wicked are cruising with 102 monthly listeners, Indicator dogs
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
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
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,
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
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
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,
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
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
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
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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