NEWS

LET’S TAKE IT BACK:WHAT YOU MAY HAVE MISSED IN THE MOANA As Te Herenga Waka opens its doors again, I assume most of your brains are focused on un-read readings and half finished assignments, which probably doesn’t leave much room for the dynamic political landscape of the Pacific. But do not fret, that’s what I’m here for. Let’s take it back and catch us up on some of the stuff that’s gone down since we last spoke. For many, the biggest story has been the carnage brought on b

Anonymous   Note:   Medicinal cannabis, like any medication, may not be right for you. It is not right for everyone. Contact a medical professional to determine if medicinal cannabis may be right for you. If you have a Community Services Card, you may be eligible for subsidised medicinal cannabis. Talk to a healthcare professional for more information.  I pay $402 a month to function.   That’s what I pay now for medicinal cannabis. That number doesn’t include the initial appo

CW: Drug use, overdose, drug-related harm Survey Explores Student Drug Use, Experiences, and Attitudes at Te Herenga Waka CW: Drug use, overdose, drug-related harm Salient  surveyed students to better understand how drugs are actually being used at Te Herenga Waka—and what that means for safety, harm, and support. This article covers everything from patterns of use and frequency, to harm, dependence, overdose, and access to drug checking, but one theme runs through it all. St

Student activists warn that celebrations of the Foundation’s newly announced policy targeting fossil fuel divestment across its portfolio may be premature.  On April 1, the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation publicised a new policy prioritising the exclusion of companies who provide probable coal reserves and/or oil and natural gas reserves used for energy purposes. As the Foundation invests entirely via externally managed pooled funds, implementation will follow a

In 1971, US President Richard Nixon declared drugs “public enemy number one.” What followed was the War on Drugs—a campaign built on a simple idea: that harsh punishment could eliminate drug use.   It didn’t. But the way it framed drug use as something to criminalise continues to influence much of Western drug policy, including Aotearoa’s.   The Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 frames drug use primarily as a criminal issue, rather than a health one. The consequences are severe. Suppl

Abbi Maidment An anti-woke US influencer brought to New Zealand got a small but appreciative university crowd in Wellington last week. Peter Boghossian was one of two “anti-woke” international speakers hosted at Te Herenga Waka’s Pipita Campus on Friday, 20 March.  Brought to Aotearoa by the Free Speech Union New Zealand and hosted at the university by Generation Screwed (a subsidy of the taxpayers' union), Boghossian and Marian L. Tupy spoke to a group of around 30 people, i

Part three of a three-part opinion series exploring affordable food options on campus at Te Herenga Waka.   Ah, Kelburn. Te Herenga Waka's largest, busiest, and—depending on who you ask— most culinarily blessed campus.  I’ll admit a certain bias: I’ve never had classes anywhere else. Still, it remains my campus, softened further by the fact that everyone I spoke to here was markedly kinder than the architecture students I encountered last week.   Kelburn boasts the widest spr

An office move for the Vice-Chancellor and the rest of Te Hiwa cost the university $411,000—despite an initial budget of just $267,000.  The Vice-Chancellor and the rest of The Hiwa (Victoria University’s senior leadership team) have relocated to a refurbished space in the Robert Stout building, documents released under the Official Information Act (OIA) reveal.  Why? To give each Te Hiwa member their own office. The move, the university says, would improve productivity, priv

STAKES IS HIGH: STRAINED RELATIONSHIPS IN THE MOANA Something is always happening in our sea of islands. In the Solomon Islands, for example, March 16 saw the shock resignation of 10 MPs in an apparent government takeover by the People First Party (PFP) against Prime Minister Manele’s OUR Party. This comes after Manele survived multiple votes of no confidence in Parliament, and as the Solomon Islands remain split on their relationships with places like China and Australia. Op

Te Herenga Waka’s hardship fund has seen a sizeable increase in applications for financial aid over the past year, reflecting mounting pressure on students as living costs climb. In February alone, forty-eight students applied for asisstance —double the twenty-four who sought support in the same month last year.  Kirsty McClure, the acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Students, attributes the uptick to rising living expenses. “Student demand for financial support continues to g

For neurodivergent students, Vic’s first-week madness is not just admin, but a barrier for learning.  Molly Laurence Courses are hard enough. But the first few weeks back at university are even worse. New classes, new classrooms, resource layouts, tutorial sign-ups, platforms, schedules, announcements. For most people, I imagine it’s overwhelming. For neurodivergent students, it can be something else entirely.  As a second-year law student with dyscalculia and ADHD, for me, t

On a windy Wellington afternoon, the after-work crowd spills out onto Lambton Quay—suits, sneakers, tote bags, the hum of buses and the harbour wind. Somewhere in the middle of it all, a saxophone begins to play. And moving slowly through the rush of commuters… is a tree. For nearly five years, Wellingtonians have encountered this character—known simply as Tree—busking across the CBD and waterfront. But recently, the performer behind the costume has found himself addressing a

Part two of a three-part opinion series exploring affordable food options on campus at Te Herenga Waka This week, I continued my search for affordable eats, heading into the world of stressed-out architecture students perpetually behind on an assignment. That's right, dear readers — I hit the streets. The street of Vivian, that is. The goal: to see what fuels Te Aro Campus and, more importantly, whether it’s actually affordable. Te Aro is unique in one key way: it’s the only

IRAN, ISRAEL AND THE PACIFIC    The United States has been making their presence known in the Pacific as of recent. Billionaire Jared Novelley has just been announced as the new American ambassador to New Zealand, and he has already made clear the goals to further deepen New Zealand and the USA’s defence ties and open us up for some more good ol’ fashioned resource extraction.  The USA's Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau has also been doing the rounds in the Pacifi

Dan Moskovitz Over the past five years, bird flu has ravaged bird and mammal alike across the globe. Over 180 million poultry birds have died, as well as untold numbers of wildlife. Human infections, while rare, have a fatality rate over 50%. Mainland Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific remain the only flu-free regions. But with the Australian-owned subantarctic Heard Island now reporting the virus — an island which many of Aotearoa’s migratory birds visit — it’s a questi

When your humble author awoke on Friday, 13 March with tonsils the size of Luxon’s bald head constricting her inflamed airway, some more superstitious readers might blame the unlucky date. I was certain, however, that a call to Student Health might provide some relief from the raw, burning pain I was experiencing with every breath and swallow. How sorely mistaken I was.  Calling just before 10 a.m., I was quickly informed by the receptionist that urgent same-day GP appointmen

Part one of a three-part opinion series exploring affordable food options on campus at Te Herenga Waka Pipitea—the quiet campus where law students lock in. But after their third “break” walk around campus, somewhere between readings on tort law and Donoghue v Stevenson , where do they stop to grab a snack? And more importantly, where is the most affordable?  Admittedly, upon arrival there was very little on offer. There was, of course, the ever-looming presence on campus—The

One of Mayor Andrew Little’s key election promises was to cap weekly public transport fares. Problem is, that’s not something he has the power to do.  Little’s policy was to make all Metlink trips free after your eighth trip. So, if you take public transport to and from work every day, your Friday morning trip (trip nine) and any others are free. However, Little only has jurisdiction over Wellington City Council. Public transport falls under the Greater Wellington Regional Co

Gemma Bennion Weirdly, this story begins with fibre.  No, not that fibre. I’m not a health TikToker selling magic beans. I’m talking fibre in the form of cables and high-speed internet: the unseen chords running underground, looping through neighbourhoods and connecting Wellington suburbs.  We begin with fibre, because a major provider of these cables is a company called Chorus. Last week, Chorus placed an ad at Kelburn Campus that made me stop dead in my tracks.  You might h

Otis Whinney THE STATE OF THE (PACIFIC) NATION  For many Kiwis, there is nothing more exciting than the annual 'State of the Nation' addresses delivered by our political parties to lay out their agenda. By many Kiwis, I actually mean none at all. But it does not change the fact that they did recently happen—and as we are in an election year, it could be somewhat important to see what these politicians have to say. It may, however, be more pertinent to examine the actual state

In the first three months of the year, VUWSA and Te Herenga Waka’s co-run community pantry has seen an increase of 400% in the rate of pick-ups since 2024, raising concerns that their budget might be exhausted well before October.  The pantry, which is funded partially through VUWSA and partially by allocation of the student-contributed Student Hardship Fee, offers a free emergency food parcel service to students who are struggling with financial hardship. The service can be

For the first time, the VUWSA Postgraduate Officer position will be elected, and announced, at VUWSA’s upcoming AGM on Thursday 19 March. The role was created alongside the Postgraduate Voice Coordinator which commenced at the start of 2026.  This extension, of both an elected member on the VUWSA exec and the Postgraduate Voice Coordinator who is a contracted staff member at VUWSA, come at a time when the consensus (at least at VUWSA) is that postgraduate voice is more import

Nic Smith’s announcement of resignation last week was met with lukewarm sadness from our university community. But never fear! In this opinion   piece, the Salient team throws our hats in the ring to determine who we believe (with all of our journalistic integrity) should be Te Herenga Waka’s Next Top Vice Chancellor.  Ashley Bloomfield Rumor on the street has it that this former Director-General of Health of New Zealand almost got the Auckland Vice Chancellor position, but m

Prices on Metlink buses and trains are set to rise by 3.1%, following central government pressure and an unanticipated funding hole. The off-peak discount will be reduced from 30% to 20%, following a reduction in 2025 from 50%. The changes will come into force on May 15.  Bus fares are partially subsidized by both the regional council and central government. However, central government is in the process of reducing the share they subsidize. The difference has to be made up so

VUWSA has drawn online backlash after advertising Nō Dōz caffeine pills on its social media for a fourth consecutive year. The promotions on Facebook and Instagram, urged students to “stay ALERT and WIDE AWAKE!”, during the academic year but it did not disclose the sponsorship, as required under Meta’s branded content policy.  Instagram users reacted critically, with multiple calling the post “embarrassing.” One commenter wrote: “VUWSA why are we advertising caffeine pills ag

As Clubs Expo has come  to a close  and Salient  looks back on one of the busiest weeks of the academic year, we wanted to reflect on some of the successes. Most notably, VUWSA’s “Waffle Programme” which saw a record 398 students enrol to vote.  VUWSA president Aidan Donaghue reported that 204 people enrolled in a single day during one of their Kelburn campus events. Historically, enrollment during Clubs Expo has not been run by VUWSA. Instead,  volunteers from the Electoral

In February, the peculiar NomNom Pizza vending machine appeared at the Wellington Train Station.  It promises “Freshly baked artisanal pizza 24/7”. So, of course, like the bulwark of student issues that is Salient , we sent two of our finest news writers to see for themselves whether NomNom really stands up to their slogan claiming “Anytime is Pizza Time”.  Rolling up at a cool 1 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon, Dan and I were greeted by the metal behemoth which was already occupi

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re an undergraduate domestic student, and in a committed relationship. You likely first had sex at sixteen or seventeen, have had between two and four lifetime partners, and one in the past year. You’ve had sex while enrolled at Te Herenga Waka.  You’ve probably never been tested for an STI, feel only somewhat confident navigating sexual health services, watch pornography occasionally, and believe it’s influenced your expectations of se

Phoebe Robertson There is something uniquely humiliating about being bested by a machine whose primary intellectual task is to rotate a coil. And yet, across campus, students are losing. Last week, Salient   ran an Instagram poll asking students whether they had ever paid a campus vending machine and received nothing in return. Of the 201 respondents, 159—nearly 80 per cent—said yes. Read that again: nearly four out of five respondents say they have inserted money, tapped a c

Te Urukeiha Tuhua  Every year, first-year students are welcomed to campus with a small rite of passage: the VUWSA O-Week tote bag. Designed and printed specially for the occasion, the cotton “O-Bag” has become something of a collectible—practical, recognisable, and often spotted slung over shoulders long after Orientation Week ends.  This year, however, the familiar tote was nowhere to be seen.  Instead, first-years attending Tau Mai and Clubs Day events were handed a black-a

Ryan Cleland It’s that time of year again here at Te Herenga Waka, where big promises are made about rebuilding student connection. Lecture theatres are filling up, tutorials are busy again, and the language of a “busy campus” is everywhere.  But the 2025 Have Your Say Survey  suggests that while students are physically back, the broader ecosystem of student life is recovering more gradually.  Released annually and based on student feedback, the survey gives students the chan

Labour pivots from inspiration to reassurance In a press conference lit exclusively by harsh, overhead fluorescents—the sort of lighting normally reserved for supermarket meat departments, police interviews, and situations where someone insists they don’t recall a conversation—Labour leader Chris Hipkins today unveiled what advisers are calling a reframing strategy for the party’s fortunes: the “ I’m Not a Bad Guy ” campaign. Reporters confirmed the lighting choice was delibe

Te Urukeiha Tuhua  Last year’s student elections for Victoria University of Wellington’s Student Association (VUWSA) saw a huge leap in candidates, with significantly more people running than in recent years.  Importantly, it was the first contested race for presidency since 2018, when current Wellington Central Member of Parliament Tamatha Paul was elected.  Now that the buzz has settled down and executive members have moved into their new roles, Salient reached out to hear

Phoebe Robertson Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington introduced two new international scholarships in 2025, offering $15,000 for undergraduate students and $10,000 for postgraduate students. The University confirmed the scholarships were launched in September 2025 for students enrolling from Trimester 3, 2025, positioning them as an upfront financial incentive at the point of acceptance rather than a later academic award. Nine students received the undergraduate

Dan Moskovitz  Student Health is planning to introduce free ADHD (Attention Hyperactivity Deficit Disorder) diagnoses and prescriptions for students from trimester two—in a move it says could remove a major financial barrier to care.  ADHD symptoms include inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which can make sustained academic work difficult and leave university students particularly affected.  Until recently, only psychologists and psychiatrists could diagnose ADH

When Public Safety Requires Your Open Mouth On December 15 2025, in what police are calling a “positive” development for road safety, the New Zealand Government quietly launched roadside drug testing in Wellington. Officials insist the initiative is simply meant to deter impaired driving—but independent sources now reveal a far more ambitious national project : the Government wants your DNA. The Government claims that the newly introduced roadside drug testing regime rolling

Colden Sapir (they/them) Voters’ enrolment records are disappearing into thin air. The Electoral commission claims that they are being...

CW:  Self Harm, Revenge Porn When first-term ACT MP Laura McClure stood in Parliament and held up a blurred, nude AI-generated image of...

By Darcy Lawrey (he/him) The day I interviewed Aidan Donoghue, the 2026 VUWSA president, he was already getting stuck into the job...

By Darcy Lawrey (he/him) VUWSA’s election last month saw a massive jump in candidates. It was the first time more than one person ran for...

Dan Moskovitz (he/him) The future of postgraduate representation at the university remains unclear, with a funding cut to the Post...

On March 4, 2024, I was sexually assaulted by members of a visiting Vietnamese delegation. I was an international student from the U.S., far from home but trying to build a life in Aotearoa, a place I believed could be safe for me.

On Wednesday, October 1, 2025, Detective Scott Rankin called me into the Wellington Police station. I hadn’t heard a word from him since February, when Stuff was told an extradition file was being prepared for the Vietnamese officials who sexually assaulted me. At 6:30 p.m., sitting in a bland police office under fluorescent lights, Rankin told me the file was being dropped.

There is another, less headline-grabbing element of Cook’s experience that has led her to seek Parlimentary support: the absence of readily available, publicly funded, non means-tested legal advice for survivors of sexual assault.

Te Urukeiha Tuhua (he/they/ia, Tūhoe)  “ We pray for our elected officials and for our MPs May they let themselves see the suffering and...

By Dan Moskovitz (he/him) The debacle over Wellington’s City to Sea bridge, which links civic square to the waterfront,  has been going...

By Henry Broadbent (he/him) On Tuesday, September 23, the Academic Board of Te Herenga Waka met in the Hunter chambers. The Board—our...

The struggle for Palestinian liberation has been going on for decades, and its leaders past and present have articulated many modes of solidarity. One of these is BDS: an effective and accessible way to make a material difference.

TW: Sexual Violence, Death Threats, Stalking  By Phoebe Robertson On Saturday 6 September, while students were still nursing beers at The...

BY PHOEBE ROBERTSON On 15 August 2025 at 10:20 p.m., Craccum’s  managing editor Lewis Creed issued a press release calling for a Special...