Critic Te Ārohi Explained

Critic Te Ārohi
Editor:Nina Brown
Editor Title:Editor
Frequency:Weekly – 26 × yearly
Circulation:5,000 (20,000 readers)
Category:Student Magazine
Company:Otago University Students' Association (OUSA)
Publisher:Planet Media Dunedin Ltd.
Founded:1925
Country:New Zealand
Based:Dunedin, Otago
Language:English
Website:www.critic.co.nz
Issn:0111-0365
Oclc:173348156

Critic Te Ārohi is the official magazine of the Otago University Students' Association (OUSA) of the University of Otago. It is freely available around both the University's campus and selected sites in Dunedin city weekly during term time. Critic is New Zealand's longest-running student newspaper, having been established in 1925. Weekly circulation is 5,000 copies, with an estimated readership of approximately 20,000.

Content

Critic's content is primarily targeted towards its student demographic and is generally written through a student perspective. The magazine enjoys enduring popularity with its readership. The physical copies distributed on a weekly basis have a pick-up rate of 99% according to OUSA.

Critic's content includes recurring columns, news articles, long-form investigative journalism, profiles, reviews, puzzles and culture pieces that often examine or portray student life in Dunedin. The magazine is known for its humorous examination of provocative and taboo subject matter. Traditionally, Critic has had 'themed' issues including "The Sex Issue", "The Drugs Issue", "Te Reo Māori Issue", "The Food Issue", "The Census Issue" and more. However, recent years have seen a movement away from overtly stipulated themes. Roughly half of all Critic issues remain unthemed within the magazine's yearly cycle.

Although the scope of the content has varied year to year under different editorship, in recent years the magazine's coverage has remained local; focusing on stories of relevance to students and the surrounding Dunedin community. Since 2012, the magazine's mission statement has been to "reflect the reality of Otago University students back to themselves."[1] In a 2018 profile of Critic, former Editor Joel MacManus told Stuff the magazine seeks to "cover stories other media can't or won't, in a way that they can't or won't [...] When we write something I know couldn't be published in the Otago Daily Times or on Stuff that's when I'm like, 'This is great!' That's when it's Critic."[2]

High Profile Stories

In 2018, Critic Te Ārohi reported that University of Otago Proctor Dave Scott had illegally entered two students flats without permission and confiscated bongs/water pipes, which were estimated to be worth over $700 combined.[3] [4] Critic's reporting received national media attention, resulting in a scandal the magazine labelled "BongShell."[5] In a subsequent press conference, Scott confirmed the bongs had been destroyed and apologised for his actions.[6]

In 2019, Critic published a story about a landlord breaching tenancy laws. After receiving a threatening letter in response, Critic made headlines for publishing the email on the cover of the following issue.[7]

That same year, Critic published a exposé on the culture of misogyny in Knox College that normalised sexual misconduct against female students. The article included the testimonies of several female residents who had been sexually harassed or assaulted at the residential college between 2015 and 2017, many of whom claimed that the college's leadership ignored or dismissed their claims when they were reported to them.[8] The article received national media attention.[9] Although the feature was lauded for its investigative merit, Critic later issued an apology for not contacting Head Master Caroline Hepburn-Doole for comment before publication. With regards to the article's claim that instances of sexual assault and rape went "undisciplined," the magazine later accepted there was evidence "all complaints were documented and reported to others as appropriate."

In 2021, Critic published a series of articles detailing the findings of a six-month undercover investigation by Critic journalist Elliot Weir into Action Zealandia, a white supremacist organisation in New Zealand.[10]

In 2023, Critic published a series of news articles reporting on hazing activity in Dunedin's student community. Critic's coverage, including a story on the abuse of a live eel, garnered national attention and was awarded 'Best News Story' at the Aotearoa Student Press Awards, with Judge Glenn McConnell commending the reporting for being of "national significance."[11] [12] The magazine's coverage later developed into a three-part series published in The Spinoff, authored by former Editor Fox Meyer.[13]

Design

Critic began as a newspaper in 1925, before becoming a magazine in 2001. The publication was tabloid in size until 2002, when it went (around A4 size). The design of Critic is often significantly changed each year as new designers are employed; typically from the Otago Polytechnic Design School.

In 2011, Critic's covers (under the magazine's Art Director Andrew Jacombs) were selected in the 2012 Coverjunkie "Best Of" Publication and exhibited alongside some of the world's most leading titles, including TIME, Esquire, The New Yorker, Vogue, Sports Illustrated and lift-outs from The New York Times and The Sunday Times.[14] [15]

Awards and nominations

Critic Te Ārohi is a member of the Aotearoa Student Press Association (ASPA) and has been awarded Best Publication in the annual ASPA awards in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.[16]

Aotearoa Student Press Awards!Year!Awards Won!Nominations!Judge's Commentary
2023Best Feature Writer, Best Feature, Best News Story, Best Culture Writer, Best Photographer, Best Opinion Writer, Best Editorial, Best Headline, Best Humour/Satire, Best Sports Coverage, Best Science Journalism and Best Column.Best Publication (runner up), Best Māori Coverage, Best Reviewer, Best Cover, Best Centrefold, Best Illustrator and Best Illustration.Judges Madeleine Chapman and Toby Manhire commended Critic Te Ārohi as an "outstanding student publication," noting there was little to separate it from Best Publication winner Salient. The magazine was commended for being "bursting with good ideas" and high quality execution across news section, features section and illustration in particular. Critic was praised for having a "clear and compelling personality" of which readers "would walk a mile in the rain to snag a copy [of]."
2022
2021Best Publication, Best Website, Best News Story, Best News Reporter, Best Feature Writer, Best Sports Reporter, Best Opinion Writer, and Best Editorial.[17] Best Feature, Best Culture/Lifestyle Writer, Best Headline, Best Creative Writing Fiction or Poetry.
2020Best Publication, Best COVID-19 Coverage, Best Design, Best Humour/Satire, Best Column, Best News Story, Best Photographer, Best Editorial, Best News Reporter.
2019Best Publication, Best Feature Article, Best Humour/Satire, Best Photography, Best Editorial, Best News Reporter, Best Reviewer.
2018Best Publication, Best Feature Writer, Best Student Politics Reporter, Best Opinion Writer, Best Feature Article, Best Design, Best Original Illustration, Best News Reporter, Best Headline, Best Editorial Writer.
2017Best Publication, Best Feature Writer, Best News Writer, Best Headline, Best Sports Writer.
2016
2015
2014Best Publication, Best Feature, Best Design, Best Feature Writer, Lifestyle Section, Best Original Illustration.
2013
2012Best Publication, Best Editorial, Best Series and Best Website.[18]
2011Best Education Series, Best News Writer, Best Feature Writer and Best Feature.[19]
2010Best Publication, Best Editorial Writer, Best Paid News Reporter, Best Illustrator, Best Education Series.Critic received the highest possible score from all judges and was praised for being "The only magazine this year that didn't just ask the audience to notice how smart it was; instead, it went out and proved it by doing smart, creative, interesting things."[20]
2009
2008Best Publication.
2007
2006Best Publication.
2005
2004
2003
2002

Editorship

The Critic Te Ārohi editor-in-chief is an employee of OUSA, operating under a charter that grants editorial independence. The Editor is appointed and employed under a fixed term contract that covers roughly the beginning to end of Otago University's academic year. Previous involvement with the magazine is not a prerequisite for applicants, although most have held a sub-editorial position at Critic prior to being appointed editor. Although Critic's editorship has been shared in previous years (particularly in the magazine's early history), in modern times the role of editor is typically fulfilled by one person. The typical tenure for Critic Editor is one year, though roughly 10% of editors in Critic's history have stayed on for two years as of 2024.

Notable past editors include journalist and Rhodes Scholar Sir Geoffrey Cox,[21] Priest and human rights activist Paul Oestreicher, TV broadcaster Jim Mora, political commentator Chris Trotter, New Zealand Alliance Party co-leader Victor Billot, Substack co-founder Hamish McKenzie and Rhodes Scholar and former Green Party MP Holly Walker.

List of Critic Te Ārohi Editors

!Year!Editor
1925Douglas Archibald Campbell
1926co. W. G. McClymont and C. A. Sharp
1927co. J. A. Stallworthy and M. W. Wilson
1928co. A. M. Douglas and G. L. McLeod
1929co. I. G. Gordon and J. C. Dakin
1930co. G. S. Cox and G. C. Macdiarmid
1931co. G. C. Macdiarmid and E. Stephenson
1932H. A. Small (first half) and G. L. McLeod (second half)
1933F. W. Guest
1934F. W. Guest (first half) and Ralph G. Park (second half)
1935E. M. Elder
1936C. P. Powles (first half) and P. M. Lusk (second half)
1937Lloyd Woods
1938W. R. Geddles (first half) and co. W. R. Geddles and P. M. Lusk (second half)
1939N. V. Farrell
1940B. H. R. Hill
1941D. L. Matheson (first half) and N. F. Gilkison (second half)
1942Diana M. Shaw
1943Ronald Taylor (first half) and J. C. D. Sutherland (second half)
1944W. D. Trotter
1945co. Stephanie Wylie and Sheila Wilding (first half) and Stephanie Wylie (second half)
1946co. Joyce Richards and Valarie Seymour
1947co. Guy Hawley and Suzette Hawley
1948Eric Hill
1949Deirdre Airey
1950C. I. Patterson
1951M . E. D. Webster (first half) and co. Colin Newbury and Nigel Eastgate (second half)
1952Paul Oestreicher
1953John Irwin
1954co. Howard Clay and Geoff Adams (first half) and co. Howard Clay and John Stewart (second half)
1955Paul Thompson
1956Earle Wilson
1957Dennis Lenihan
1958Fraser Harbutt (second half only)
1959Fraser Harbutt (first half) and Allan Bruce (second half)
1960Allan Bruce (first half) and Peter Matheson (second half)
1961John Harris
1962Andrew Brown
1963co. Mel Dickson and Al Forrest
1964Don F. Gray
1965co. Roger Strong and Warren Mayne
1966Don F. Gray
1967Charles Draper
1968Charles Draper (first half) and Bob Dey (second half)
1969Mike Meek
1970Peter Dickson
1971John Robson
1972Hugh Maclean
1973co. David Peyton and John Keir
1974Jim Mora
1975Andrew Webb
1976Bronwyn Evans
1977Al Duncan
1978Belinda Carter
1979Belinda Carter
1980Simon Kilroy
1981Chris Trotter
1982Reid Perkins
1983Ray Ward
1984Andrew Johnstone
1985alternating Niels Reinsborg and Lydia Mabbett
1986co. for first half and then alternating Alexandra Tylee, Sam Elworthy, Grant Ramsey, Shelley Cooper, Andrew Vincent
1987co. Gill Plimmer, Hannah Zwartz, and Fiona Morris
1988Michael Tull
1989co. Nickee Charteris and Astrid Smeele
1990Emma Reid
1991Colin Peacock
1992Caroline McCaw
1993Colin Williscroft
1994Louise Johnstone
1995co. Victor Billot and Paul Dagarin
1996co. Leah McFall and Tracy Huirama-Osborne (first half) and Tracy Huirama-Osborne (second half)
1997co. Logan Sisley and Gavin Bertram
1998co. Brent McIntyre and Gavin Bertram
1999Brent McIntyre
2000Fiona Bowker
2001Fiona Bowker
2002Patrick Crewdson
2003Patrick Crewdson
2004Hamish McKenzie
2005Holly Walker
2006John Ong
2007David Large
2008David Large
2009Amy Joseph
2010Ben Thomson
2011Julia Hollingsworth
2012Joe Stockman
2013Callum Fredric (February–May) and Sam McChesney (May–October)
2014Zane Pocock
2015Josie Cochrane
2016Hugh Baird
2017Lucy Hunter
2018Joel MacManus
2019Charlie O'Mannin
2020Sinead Gill
2021Erin Gourley
2022Fox Meyer
2023Fox Meyer
2024Nina Brown

Sub-Editorship

Critic's sub-editorial roles are Design Editor, Sub-Editor, News Editor, Features Editor and Culture Editor. Design Editor is the second most senior role within Critic as the only staff member (aside from Editor) that is employed full-time. In 2023 the role of Ētita Māori (Māori Editor) was made a permanent position. The role entails the production of Māori interest content and the magazine's annual te reo Māori themed issue.

Until 2018, there were rotating 'Section Editors' (now described as staff writers) covering books, art, film, games, poetry food, music, politics and sport. In some years, "Deputy Editor" "Technical Editor" and "Art Director" have been listed as sub-editorial roles.

List of Critic Te Ārohi Sub-Editors

!Year!Design Editor!Sub-Editor!News Editor!Features Editor!Culture Editor!Ētita Māori
2011Andrew JacombsLisa McGonigleGregor WhyteRole Not ListedRole Not Listed
2012Andrew JacombsSam McChesneyCharlotte GreenfieldRole Not ListedRole Not Listed
2013Sam ClarkSarah MacIndoeRole Not ListedRole Not ListedRole Not Listed
2014Sam ClarkMax PrestigeJosie CochraneLoulou Callister-BakerRole Not Listed
2015Kat GilbertsonMary McLaughlinLaura MunroLaura StarlingLoulou Callister-Baker
2016Natasha MurachverLaura StarlingJoe HighamRole Not ListedRole Not Listed
2017Natasha MurachverCharlie O'ManninJoe HighamRole Not ListedRole Not Listed
2018Jack AdankNat MooreCharlie O'ManninChelle FitzgeraldJess Thompson
2019Jack AdankNat MooreEsme HallChelle FitzgeraldHenessey Griffiths
2020Molly WillisJamie MactaggartErin GourleyRole Not ListedCaroline Moratti
2021Molly WillisOscar FrancisFox MeyerElliot WeirAnnabelle Parata Vaughan
2022Molly WillisMaddie FennDenzel ChungElliot WeirAnnabelle Parata Vaughan
2023Molly WillisNina BrownNina BrownElliot WeirAnnabelle Parata VaughanHeeni Koero Te Rerenoa (Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Wai)
2024Evie NoadEllie BennettHugh AskerudIris HehirCharlotte "Lotto" RamsayHeeni Koero Te Rerenoa (Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Wai)

History

In 1925 Otago University medical student Francis Bennett, whom edited the annual student publication The Review, suggested a new student newspaper. OUSA approved. The Critic went on to replace the 4-page newsletter Te Korero, which Bennett later described as "a dismal rag which [Dan Aitken] and I usually filled up with imaginative froth a few hours before it went to press." Editor Douglas Archibald Campbell outlined the newspaper's ethos in the publication's first-ever editorial, envisioning Critic to be a publication where "criticism may be brought into the open" and would "suffer no word or deed to go unquestioned within the four walls of Otago University."

Controversies

The Office of Film and Literature Classification in 2005 banned an issue of the magazine, due to it containing a satirical "how-to-guide" on drug rape.[22] The article was published in magazine's since-discontinued "offensive" themed issue, which ran from 2002—2005. Possession or distribution of this issue was deemed illegal.[23] Editor Holly Walker stood by the decision to publish the article, stating it was "defendable" in that it highlighted "a very important issue and [would] hopefully make women more aware of what could happen to them."[24] [25] Walker later backtracked this statement in a comment to Critic in 2012, calling the article's publication a "mistake": "We were trying to be offensive for the sake of it, rather than with any greater purpose in mind [...] I wasn't a very woke feminist back then."[26]

In 2010 The New Zealand Media Council upheld a complaint against Critic over the article 'The Bum at the Bottom of the World', which depicted three people the publication deemed homeless and vagrant.[27] [28] Editor Ben Thomson later stated the magazine "completely misjudged where the line was" and apologised for the article. The Press Council accepted Critic's apology as "sincere."[29]

In 2013 Critic's Editor Callum Fredric received a $35,000 payout after a series of personal disputes with OUSA General Manager Darel Hall. Fredric was suspended by Hall on Friday 3 May, and was trespassed from OUSA buildings by Hall after attending a meeting on Monday 6 May to explain the situation to staff, before being asked to leave by Police. After filing legal proceedings, Fredric accepted a $35,000 settlement package from OUSA on Friday 17 May, and resigned as Editor.[30] [31] [32]

In 2018, the cover of "The Menstruation Issue" featured a cartoon image of a woman menstruating. University of Otago Proctor Dave Scott took offence to the image and unilaterally decided to destroy all copies of the magazine.[33] An open-letter signed by 17 former Editors expressed "deep concern" over the decision, with prominent New Zealand media figures accusing the university of "censorship." The removal of the magazines was further accused of stigmatising menstruation. The university later apologised, calling the decision a "mistake".[34]

In 2020 Critic criticised Otago University's response to the Covid-19 pandemic in an opinion piece, leading the university's refusal to answer media requests from Critic and threatening to pull advertising from the magazine.[35] Following changes in University of Otago media staff, the University has resumed accepting media requests and running advertisements.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Stuff . 2024-04-05 . www.stuff.co.nz.
  2. Web site: Stuff . 2024-04-05 . www.stuff.co.nz.
  3. Web site: Proctor Enters Flat Without Permission, Steals Bongs . 2024-04-05 . Critic - Te Ārohi.
  4. Web site: Second Flat Claims Proctor Entered Home Without Permission, Took Bongs . 2024-04-05 . Critic - Te Ārohi.
  5. Web site: The Proctor BongShell: The Complete Chronic-les . 2024-04-05 . Critic - Te Ārohi.
  6. Web site: McPhee . Elena . Morris . Chris . 2018-09-25 . 'I was wrong' - Proctor . 2024-04-05 . Otago Daily Times Online News . en.
  7. Web site: Students v landlord: Mag cover displays abusive email. 2022-01-21. NZ Herald. en-NZ.
  8. Web site: Sexual Assault and Rape Went Undisciplined at Knox College . 2024-04-05 . Critic - Te Ārohi.
  9. Web site: 2024-04-05 . Sexual assault 'normalised' at prestigious Otago Uni hall . 2024-04-05 . NZ Herald . en-NZ.
  10. News: Undercover Critic Te Arohi journalist gives insight into how they joined neo-Nazi group Action Zealandia. en. Newshub. 2022-01-21.
  11. Web site: Animal Abuse at Leith Street Initiation . 2024-04-05 . Critic - Te Ārohi.
  12. Web site: 2023-10-06 . Otago uni investigating claims mistreated eel was part of flat initiation . 2024-04-05 . RNZ . en-nz.
  13. Web site: Meyer . Fox . 2024-02-19 . The painful history of student flat hazing . 2024-04-05 . The Spinoff . en.
  14. Web site: Critic: The End. 3 November 2011. 2 March 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120512023635/http://www.coverjunkie.com/blog/critic-the-end/3/8103. 12 May 2012. dead.
  15. Web site: Covers attention-grabbers. 16 January 2012. 2 March 2012.
  16. Web site: Excellence in student media recognised . 6 October 2013.
  17. Web site: Aotearoa Student Press Association . 2022-01-21 . Facebook.
  18. Web site: 29 September 2012 . 'Critic' bags prizes at awards . 1 October 2012 . Otago Daily Times.
  19. Web site: Aotearoa Student Press Association Awards Results . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120225073036/http://salient.org.nz/blog/aotearoa-student-press-association-awards-results . 25 February 2012 . 1 March 2012 . Salient.
  20. Web site: Critic Magazine Wins Student Media AwardsCritic Magazine Wins Student Media Awards . 1 March 2012 . Scoop.
  21. News: Purser . Philip . 2008-04-04 . Sir Geoffrey Cox . 2024-04-07 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  22. Web site: 1 February 2006 . Student drug-rape magazine banned . 2009-02-10 . New Zealand Herald.
  23. Web site: Critic Scandals Through The Ages: An Inexhaustive Account . 2024-04-05 . Critic - Te Ārohi.
  24. Web site: 2024-04-07 . Editor stands by drug rape article . 2024-04-07 . NZ Herald . en-NZ.
  25. News: 2005-09-22 . Student magazine defends 'date rape 101' article . 2024-04-07 . ABC News . en-AU.
  26. Web site: Turning Back the Pages of Time: Critic Through the Ages . 2024-04-07 . Critic - Te Ārohi.
  27. News: October 2010 . Case Number: 2144 OTAGO MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT TRUST AGAINST CRITIC-TE AROHI . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130205163448/http://presscouncil.org.nz/display_ruling.php?case_number=2144 . 5 February 2013 . 2 March 2012 . New Zealand Press Council . dmy-all.
  28. News: 9 Nov 2010 . Complaint over vagrant article in 'Critic' upheld . 2 March 2012 . Otago Daily Times.
  29. Web site: ADJUDCIATION BY THE NEW ZEALAND PRESS COUNCIL ON THE COMPLAINT OF THE OTAGO MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT TRUST AGAINST CRITIC TE-AROHI . 2024-04-05 . Critic - Te Ārohi.
  30. http://www.odt.co.nz/campus/university-otago/257833/critic-editor-steps-down "'Critic' Editor Steps Down"
  31. http://salient.org.nz/news/critic-editor-receives-payout "Critic Editor Receives Payout"
  32. http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2013/05/the_critic_payout.html "The Critic Payout"
  33. Web site: 23 May 2018 . Otago Uni: Destroying magazines 'was a mistake' .
  34. Web site: 2018-05-23 . Otago University seizes and destroys copies of student magazine depicting menstruation . 2022-01-21 . the Guardian . en.
  35. Web site: 2020-04-04 . Otago University will not answer Critics' queries after scathing Covid-19 opinion piece . 2022-01-21 . RNZ . en-nz.