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Searching for Terror

By Danny Keenan | Mon, 21 Jul 08 |

The Police Raids
On 15 October 2007, squads of New Zealand Police swept through a number of locations throughout New Zealand, dressed in full riot gear with machine guns, handguns and knives strapped to their black garments. They smashed doors and furniture, arresting people, confiscating computers, cameras, files and papers. They were searching for evidence in order to charge 17 suspects with ‘terrorism’ offences under the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002.

A Twenty-First Century Vision

By Ngai Tauira | Mon, 21 Jul 08 |

We’ve all heard the story of the legendary 28th Maori Battalion. In the First World War the members of its predecessor, named the ‘Native Contingent’ and initially held back by officials from frontline service, was transformed from a battlefield labour force to a respected host of young Maori braves by 1918. Again in 1939, when the call went out for men to enlist against Hitler’s brutal expansion, Maoridom’s best and brightest put aside their differences with Pakeha to participate in the making of history.

An Interview with Hone Harawira

By Tahu K Wilson | Mon, 21 Jul 08 |

I waimarie atu a Ngai Tauira ki te kōrero tahi me Hone Harawira, tērā o ngā kaiporotēhi e mōhio whanuitia ana. I kōrero ia mo tana mahi ki te whare Pāremata, ki te reo Pākeha, ā, koira te tikanga kua tuhia pērā ki raro nei:

Mahi: He māngai o te whare Pāremata, Te Tai Tokerau
Rā: 3 Hōngongoi, 2008, 6pm.

Te Kaipatapātai: Tahu K Wilson: Ngai Tauira Apiha

Gang Land

By Tristan Egarr | Mon, 14 Jul 08 |

Parts of Invercargill burn during a feud between the Mongrel Mob and Highway 61. The Mob carry out three brutal home invasions in Hawke’s Bay throughout June. And the trial of a dozen Mob members for the drive-by shooting of a Black Power member’s daughter in Wanganui continues. The mayors of Hastings, Wanganui and Invercargill have all said enough is enough, but Aotearoa’s gangs have been around for half a century and their numbers are growing. As more Victoria students move out of the gentrified and over-priced Kelburn and Te Aro areas, many of us will end up among the council flats and gang history of Newtown.

How to Become the Best World in the Writer

By Guy Armstrong | Mon, 14 Jul 08 |

So you want to write some articles or a book, or a house, or whatever. The first thing you need is some ideas, right? But oh no! You don’t have any!
As well as ideas, you want good reviews, don’t you? Not silly, arty - farty, ambiguous reviews like “Magnificent, compelling” – that is such a crap review. You don’t want this one either: “A must - read for anyone in the field of hyperterrestrial ornithology” - no, you want tyre-burning flame-spitting ultimate shirt-ripping damsel-saving overdosing passionate reviews.

Where’s Reya?

By Sarah Rose | Mon, 14 Jul 08 |

While working at Base backpackers over the summer, I met many people with different stories. One of the many people I met, was a lone traveler by the name of Brozzi Lunetta. At first he seemed like just another traveler, working for his accommodation by cleaning. All I knew about him was that he was from Los Angeles. But as we were cleaning the kitchen one day, I got an inside to his story. As a qualified documentary maker, we had a bit of a celebrity amongst us.

The Fight For Gender & Women’s Studies

By Tania Mead | Mon, 7 Jul 08 |

The casual observer could be forgiven for thinking that the administration at Victoria holds increasingly scant concern for the well-being of its students, not to mention the future of its academic integrity. A recent proposal to make serious cuts in the College of Education has gone ahead. The administration plans to cut out more than 15 per cent of existing staff numbers, a reduction of 22 out of 141 academic positions and seven out of 41 general positions, and to close the college’s resource centre.

Legal Discrimination

By Tristan Egarr | Mon, 7 Jul 08 |

Students are indulged by the Police and the Court in a way that young people employed in low-paying work or on the benefit are not. A student offender is less likely to be convicted of the same minor crime as a non-student offender, just as a Pakeha offender is less likely to be convicted of the same minor crime as a Maori offender. Our legal system contains a number of tools, such as diversion and discharge without conviction, which allow us to help offenders put minor mistakes behind them.

NEW ZEALAND MUSIC MONTH – “GREAT CONCEPT, BAD EXECUTION

By Sophie Barclay | Mon, 26 May 08 |

Sophie Barclay, Salient Music Co-Editor
I’m of two minds about New Zealand music month. I think it’s fantastic that we have an initiative to support New Zealand bands and musicians, because god knows it’s really hard to make a living out of music; the funding is not amazing, and there is so much local talent that sometimes it’s hard to get to a point where you can live off your music.

A Tale As Old As Time

By Sarita Lewis | Mon, 26 May 08 |

A long time ago, when the world was still flat, it was home to People Who Believed. They believed through droughts, storms and frozen nights. Later, they believed despite threats of eternal damnation and torturous death for their refusal to renounce those beliefs. Or rather, as in many cases, for the demonstration of very similar beliefs in a slightly different manner. There was fear, but there was also hope. They believed in something greater than themselves, and thus found comfort and companionship in dark times.