When I came into this position, or when I first started with Nexus, I was daily brutal in admitting that I didn’t actually like Nexus while I was doing my undergrad. There was this innate fear that if I was seen reading it that I’d be cast as one of “those kids”. What a stupid fucking thought that was. 6 years later and I’ll say that I’ve become the biggest and loudest fan of this magazine and all it’s stood for in the past 55 years. Nexus, for many, is an easy way to pass time the day you got haurangi and shook some ass in Bar101… wait that’s closed. Hood? No. What’s the equivalent now? Axces? I joke, but it’s an easy form of media that you can use to just escape time. I look at some of the other student mags that’ve been forced into fortnightly and fuck I feel for them. The Cantas, Massives and Debates of the world — it’s just a fucking shame mate. Student media is the backbone of our community, spread the word. 

 

I’ve always heard people talking about leaving a legacy, obsessed with the idea of leaving something behind — but that’s never been something I’ve wanted. Though as I’m putting together this issue, I can’t help but feel some pride as I lead the 55th team into battle. Nexus has been, and will continue to be, an institution and a space to express yourself. Sure it’s become editorialised and far less political in our outbursts but the passion will never leave. I’ve spent weeks reading through hundreds of issues, taking the best and worst parts of our illustrious history. There’s some selfish intent there as I decide whether I want to stay on next year or pass the torch, but it’s all been refreshing as I take on ideas from the past and understand the road to our future. One thing I want to make clear is that I don’t hope for defamation trials and lighting the entire world ablaze but I’m hoping to reach into the roots and foundation of what makes us, us. At it’s core, Nexus is a trail-blazing baddie who doesn’t know when to quit. So let’s not quit aye?

 

I’d be a massive cunt if I didn’t give a fucking chur to the team over in the Te Whare Pukapuka for their hard mahi to bring this entire passion project to life. The WSU have spent the better part of a decade getting a digital archive off the ground and now there’s a space for you, and future tauira, to enjoy Nexus in all its glory. Please remember that while a lot of the shit you’ll see is gross and/or intense for the eye – it’s a huge part of our history. It’s made us who we are today and we’re so proud of everything that’s been accomplished. The newly launched archival system is an online forum that can be used by anyone to view 55 years of history. But it’s not just Nexus my mates, it’s the entire University’s history, and it’s just getting started. Like you’ll read from Steve later, O Neherā is still in its infancy and we gotta give that kid all it needs to spread its legs (onya Hipkins).

 

Continuing me being a massive cunt, I need to also give thanks to some more people. Editors that have been, paving the way for me and my successors. The designers that made the Editors look good. Exec boards of WSU, well most of the ones in the past, for helping Nexus be Nexus. My current team and teams to be. There’s something quite magical about it all, the creation of weekly content that’s a massive fuck you to all that’s wrong in this world, mixed with infantile fun. 

 

My time as Editor, though not over yet so no celebrating my downfall, has been fucking epic. I’ve met politicians, musicians, so many great fucking artists and come face to face with a bunch of whining fucks. In that time I’ve grown an inordinate amount, I’ve learnt about what I can and can’t write about specific people within the campus grounds and I’ve learnt how to become a stronger writer. There’s still so much I’ve got left to say, and bridges I need to set fire too, but I’ll leave you with this now. 

 

Ehara taku toa, he takitahi, he toa takitini

Happy Birthday my bro, to many more.