Conan Gray Concert
Conan Gray’s Wishbone Tour kicked off its last leg in Auckland over the previous weekend, and while it was a rocky show back, he brought all the noise to Spark Arena. Earlier in the day, Conan posted a story on his Instagram with an apology to the fans who would
The Forgotten Side of Stoicism
If you’ve spent enough time on social media engaging with self-improvement content, you’ve probably encountered Stoicism at some point. This content is usually accompanied by marble busts of Marcus Aurelius, short-form gym content, and edgy quotes about discipline. The message is clear: don’t complain, don’t let your emotions control you,
Folk-tales And Artistic Methods Of Framing Fear
Fairies have shrunk over the years both in size and scope. It was only from the 14th century and onwards that the term began to narrow in definition. Before that ‘fairie’ was used to describe a collection of different creatures such as gnomes, sprites, dryads, banshees and all manner of
The Corporation that Conquered Nations
When we think of the British conquest of India, we often imagine it as a series of red-coated British soldiers marching across the subcontinent, conquering India much in the same way as they did elsewhere in the world. We often talk of the British conquering India, but this phrase hides
THE FINNISH LINE #3
Written by Martta Tikka About Rhythm / Rytmitajuttomuudesta Now that I’ve been in New Zealand for over three months, I’ve had to admit to myself that I’m a bad dancer. I blame my home country for that. I found out that Kiwis have this thing called Jump Jam. One of
The Finnish Line
Written by Martta Tikka After a careful consideration I have come to the conclusion that Finnish people don’t feed each other nearly as often as they should. During these past weeks I’ve learnt just how easy it is to get people to show up if you promise you’re going to
Doco Filmmaker Kez on Travel, People, and Stoke
Kieran Hodges, interviewed by Toby Brockelbank Toby interviews Kieran Hodges, Kez, who he’s been lucky enough to meet. Known in the local skate community for filming down in Palmy, Kez went from building film sets in the UK to travelling the world making documentaries. We discussed how skating relates to
WHAT’S THE BUZZ CUZ?
BEFORE THE MISSIONARIES MADE IT WEIRD Let’s talk about sex. Yep, we’re going there. It’s actually kind of funny how surprised people can be when you tell them our tipuna were getting it on. As if sex arrived in Aotearoa post-colonisation or something. Sex was already a pretty normal part
He reo mo ake ake – A forever language.
Written By Kata Roberts I think back to a time when te reo Māori was being pushed out of our schools, our workplaces,and our everyday lives. I think back to 1972. I imagine standing there, among thousands of Māori, watching our voices make their way toParliament. I wonder what it
MORE THAN A KETE
The stories, skill and knowledge woven into raranga Raranga has always been practical. Our tīpuna used what was around them to make the things they needed. Harakeke could become kete for carrying and storing things, muka could be used for clothing and cordage, and raranga was used to make whāriki
Te Ao o te Kaituhi
Written By Nadia Solomon Kei te kōrero Māori koe? Kei te tuhi koe i te reo Māori? He maha ngā tūpono mōu. Ka rongo pea koe ki te mahi o ngā kaiwhakamāori, he matua tērā mahi. Mā te mahi a ngā kaiwhakamāori, e whānui ai ngā mōhiotanga o ngā mea
THE HEALING POTENTIAL OF OUR NATIVE FUNGI
What happens when Māori research looks at healing through a different lens? You might have looked at our $50 note and noticed the striking blue mushroom sitting beside Sir Āpirana Ngata. That mushroom is Entoloma hochstetteri, a native species found in Aotearoa. It is more than just a cool design.
November Rain
In the aftermath of 9/11, HST wrote ‘Doom is the operative ethic.’ Anyone that tells you they’ve got the handle on how things are going to go with Iran, with Fuel, with Climate, with A.I – Hell, even with our general election in November — should be treated like a
The Sydney Sweeny Ad is That Deep
By now, I’m sure you’ve all seen the new Novig Ad starring Sydney Sweeny, if not, honestly don’t bother. This ad reinforces every single stereotype about the patriarchy and misogyny in sport: women are an object for sex and men watch tough sports! This ad, promoting Novig’s ‘just sports’ trading
Nukutawhiti Editorial
He waka kotuia, kāore e tukutukua ngā mimira! Mauri ora! Nau mai, haere mai ki Nukutawhiti 2026. He mihi nui ki ngā ringa, ngā reo me ngā mana i whai wāhi ki tēnei putanga.Nā koutou i whai hua ai tēnei kaupapa. Nei ka mihi, ka mihi, ka mihi! Not to
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
Recipe: Really Fkn’ Good Chicken Schnitzel
Ingredients: Method:
ENGLI202 Shakespeare and Performance
Now, I will admit that even though a random audit is supposed to be going into a class you have ZERO business being in, I kind of do have a slight amount of business here. Sue me, you’re going to hear about an english paper from an english and writing
Soundcheck: Heaven in a Wheelbarrow (& A Bluegrass Band)
If anybody reading this has seen me in the wild, then they’ll know that I have something of an attraction towards cowboys. I dress like one, I’m as broke as one, and if I could ride horses, then I’d probably live like one. Unfortunately, I’m neither tough nor talented enough
Recipe: Girl Dinner
It’s important to note that ‘girl dinner’ is extremely subjective. It is different for everyone, and varies on your levels of energy, motivation, finances, and total personal value (amongst others). That being said, let’s get into my personal dinner. Playlist: Do not listen to any music, just open Spotify and
Opinion: Chris 1, 2, and 3 are really against misogyny (6’4” btw)
Step aside, DC’s Trinity: There’s a new superhero trio on the block. They’re tough, they’re righteous, and they’re fighting the toughest crime of all: misogyny. Who are the brave warriors behind this triumvirate? Why, it’s none other than Chris Hipkins, Chris Luxon, and Chris Bishop. That’s right, the fifth wave
The Backseat Lovers: When We Were Friends
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
COMPX202 Mobile Computing and Software Architecture
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.
Horoscopes – Issue 16
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
Playlist:
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
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
Mondo-Motherfucking-Green
Mondogreen are a rad local band bringing a humble, funny, & mellow vibe to the local scene. Lochie & Connor are some gnarly skaters from back in my hometown. When I was learning to drop in, they were the cool seniors who actually knew how to skate. Can’t lie, with
B Tello Tells All – An Interview with the Pineja Singer
Who are you & what are you up to musically?I am a child of the universe + my parents… I am also a musician and DJ based in Wellington. I’m currently in multiple bands as a bass player, singer and guitarist. I have been playing DJ gigs and radio sets
Borderline
Borderline is an indie pop-rock band from Auckland. Members Ben, Matt, Max, and Jackson have curated a funky, idyllic sound that’s both playful and mature. The Kiwi band is currently going global, touring in America and heading to England later this month. How did you find your “sound”?Definitely a mix
An Eye For Music – An Interview with the Janka Volf
@___sarolta (three underscores) @___sarolta (three underscores) @___sarolta (three underscores) @___sarolta (three underscores) @___sarolta (three underscores) @___sarolta (three underscores) I never thought my first year of uni being a bcomm would amount to anything, but other than learning how to manage our laziest writer Joe, I also meet one rad human
There Is No War In Ba Sing Se West Papua
West Papua is one of the most linguistically diverse regions in the world. It’s also home to a breathtaking display of both cultural and ecological diversity, with 80% of West Papua dense with tropical rainforests, surrounded by mangroves, wetlands and alpine central highlands with their marine ecosystems hosting the highest
Parliamentary etiquette is gone. Why?
In bed the other day, I scrolled upon a reel of every stupid thing that has been said in the House of Parliament by the 54th government, and boy was some of it stupid. While yes, a large amount of it was funny, most of it was hugely inappropriate for
ZURU ARE TRYING TO BE ELECTION GURUS
The debate around the topic of election interference reached a boiling point recently with the release of Nicky Hager’s book Dirty Work, a follow-up to the 2014 book Dirty Politics. In the book, which primarily focuses on the movements of Jordan Williams’s Taxpayers’ Union, Hager alleges that ZURU CEO and
Nexus Breaks the News – Issue 23
POSH PROBLEMS A sudden surge in a specific Lake Weed at Lake Karapiro threatens the region’s oft-held rowing events, which is a big concern for the most out of touch and annoying rich assholes that you know. AT LEAST THEY’VE GOT SOMETHING RIGHT, RIGHT? The Waikato region has once again proven to
LABOUR’S LETHARGY
Labour have sputtered out a few new commitments, if you still believe they’re capable of committing to anything. After National came out and announced their intention to break up the supermarket duopoly, Labour has jumped on the Nats’ coattails – after the Nats jumped on the coattails of economists who
Shark hunt begins after fatal Perth attack
A great white shark is being hunted for destruction after a fatal attack at Perth’s Sorrento Beach, reigniting an old and uncomfortable question in Australia: when a shark kills, should the shark be killed? Sixty-three-year-old Greg O’Neill was swimming near the shoreline on Friday when he was attacked. Witnesses reported
City Rail Link opens in Auckland, Hamilton public transport continues disappoint
The City Rail Link (CRL) in Auckland officially opened on Friday, the 11th of September. As a public transport enthusiast, I am absolutely fuming that this occurred when I could not justify going up to Auckland to take a train. The CRL is the biggest makeover to New Zealand’s transport
Nexus Breaks the News – Issue 22 2026
(((SOUTHERN))) LINKS Project Directors Dillon Kelliher and Robert Dol, have proposed a motion to transform a swathe of farmland south of Hamilton into a brand-new suburb development, comprised of 938 residential units across about 46ha. When asked what inspired the suburb, Kelliher said, “Well, I always wondered what Hamilton would
Nexus Breaks the News – Issue 21
AUCKLAND’S CRL… CHRIS REALLY LIKES IT! The people of Auckland were in absolute heat for the opening of the City Rail Link, as evidenced by a fire breaking out on the morning of it’s big day. Nexus can neither confirm nor deny that the fire was a diversion for Chris Bishop
ACT? MORE LIKE ACTT (ACTUALLY CUTTING TE TIRITI)
The ACT party have wheeled out another inflammatory policy. Party leader David Seymour announced on Thursday the 10th that, if elected, ACT would pursue ending the Waitangi Tribunal’s contemporary jurisdiction. It would mean that, once all cases lodged before the 1st of September 2008 had been settled, the tribunal would lose
BETWEEN A PAK’N’SAVE & A HARD PRICE
The Greens have unveiled a new policy, proposing the creation of a government-owned-and-run supermarket that they’re calling KiwiMart. The Greens have proposed KiwiMart as an alternative to the Foodstuffs/Woolworths supermarket duopoly also positioning it as competition that’d incentivize chains like Woolies and New World to lower prices. The policy has
Latest poll sees parties seeking Opportunity for redemption
The media over the past few months has reported that Opportunity may be the kingmaker in this upcoming election, but the latest Taxpayers’ Union-Curia poll suggests otherwise. Previous polls put Opportunity at 8%, over the 5% of votes needed to get them into parliament. Both Labour and National would need
Big Girls Do Cry
Long time no see, Nexus readers. I don’t know how this happened, but I’ve been revived from my year-long slumber to write the penultimate editorial of 2026. There’s a lot of things I could say. I could tell you about the terrible state of the reality TV scene, my current
Love, Lies, and a Concerning Amount of Lab Safety Violations
Rating: -1/5 The Love Hypothesis is the cinematic equivalent of eating an entire packet of biscuits in one sitting: deeply enjoyable, slightly embarrassing, and best not examined too closely. The film follows PhD student Olive Smith as she enters a fake relationship with intimidatingly tall and emotionally constipated professor Adam
Holden’s Growing Up, Unfortunately
Rating: 2/5 Holden Caulfield spends The Catcher in the Rye convinced that everyone around him is a phony, but beneath all the complaining, he is slowly developing something more valuable: worldly intelligence. His wandering through New York becomes an education outside the classroom, exposing him to sex, loneliness, adulthood, exploitation
The End of Oak Street
Rating: 5/5 When I found out that the woman, the myth, the icon Anne Hathaway and his lordship, Jedi Master and Otter Enthusiast Ewan McGregor were the leads in an upcoming film about a random 1970s American-Dream style family getting magically transported back in time to the Jurassic, there was
Elle
Rating: 4/5 After more than a decade since the last film in the world of Legally Blonde, we return with a 1990’s prequel, known as Elle. The show is a comedy-drama, about a 16 year old Elle dealing with her first fish-out-of-water scenario as her family moves from Los Angeles
The Gentleman – Season 2
Rating: 4/5 After rewatching the five-star masterpiece that was The Gentlemen’s first season, I leapt into season two with excitement; Theo James was back as the Duke of Halstead (and arguably more attractive than ever before) with his his work-wife Susie Glass (who has given me a new celebrity crush;
Teenage sex and Death and Adult Sex and Survival.
Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma is the kind of film that appears to announce its intentions through its title: sex, death, teenagers, and a summer-camp setting where all four are presumably destined to collide. Yet beneath its deliberately provocative surface, the film is doing something considerably more interesting.
Passing – Nella Larsen
Rating: 2/5 This novel, written back in the modernist era, is one of those gems that says a whole lot more about society than you’d ever think possible. It dives into the startling reality of coloured women who are white presenting, which isn’t a topic we see much of in
Love Island Season 8
Rating: -1/5 It’s got to be said; Love Island is never going to be a super good show with everything you need to settle in and watch something with quality. HOWEVER, I have to admit that this season did give us some gold wrapped up in the many, many episodes
Legally Blonde
Rating: 5/5 Warning: this review contains spoilers I am very biased towards this film, which is definitely going to show in this review, but that’s just because I am absolutely in love with it. Legally Blonde did something very few films were capable of and still are, which is creating
Adults season 2
Rating: 2/5 Alongside a brand-new pilot episode, Adults made a grand return with season 2. I went in with so many questions: what’s happening with Paul Baker and Issa, are Anton and Paul Baker together now, will Billie ever get a job? This season wasted no time getting back into
Sterling Point
Rating: 5/5 Released just last month on Prime Video, Sterling Point is an effortless teen drama that includes comedy, mystery, and one-too-many Camp Rock 2 references. Born from the brain of Megan Park, an actress turned screenwriter, the tv show stands out against the current wave of Gen Z focused
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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