Institution’s leader not one to give up easily
As the polytechnic sector faces a major overhaul, it is relevant to note Otago Polytechnic chief executive Phil Ker used to run marathons, writes Shane Gilchrist.
Shane Gilchrist
It takes a village
It takes a village
A colourful, vibrant home to 231 young people, Te Pa Tauira-Otago Polytechnic Student Village is an innovative example of sustainability principles, writes Shane Gilchrist.
CD reviews: The Killers
CD reviews: The Killers
A few songs into The Killers’ fifth studio album, frontman Brandon Flowers sings, "Don’t give up on me/Coz’ I’m just in a rut", an auto-tune enhanced line that could well speak to the Las Vegas...
Horrible way to learn
Horrible way to learn
The secret to a popular children’s stage show? Make it funny, Horrible Histories actor and director Neal Foster tells Shane Gilchrist.
Healthy choices
Healthy choices
To talk about butter is to step into a nutritional minefield, writes Shane Gilchrist.
Power to the peeps
Power to the peeps
They might be under-represented at the polls, but our youngest voters’ non-enrolment shouldn’t be seen as political apathy, writes Shane Gilchrist.
CD reviews: The War on Drugs
CD reviews: The War on Drugs
Jimmy Iovine, a man who knows a bit about success (he has produced albums by Bruce Springsteen and U2, co-founded Interscope Records and, more recently, set up Apple Music) once stated The War On...
CD Reviews: Alvvays
CD Reviews: Alvvays
Toronto group Alvvays’ follow-up to its 2014 debut album builds on that early promise, its sparkling yet dark indie guitar pop a little more focused, a little more polished.
CD reviews: Grawlixes
CD reviews: Grawlixes
Adding further shades of blue to the depths of New Zealand's pool of current folky types, Wellington act Grawlixes' debut album Set Free might roam through melancholic minor keys, yet it also...
CD reviews: The National
CD reviews: The National
The four-year gap between Trouble Will Find Me and latest album Sleep Well Beast finds The National in typical form - i.e. vocalist Matt Berninger's brooding baritone is fixed to a molten, ever...
CD reviews: Grizzly Bear
CD reviews: Grizzly Bear
In a recent interview, Grizzly Bear singer Ed Droste mentioned he gives an album at least five listens before forming an opinion on it, his key point being that he often prefers sifting through the...
Having a ball
Having a ball
Larnach Castle has hosted a ball that was a celebration on a range of levels, writes Shane Gilchrist.
Questions about younger Bligh chart narrative
Questions about younger Bligh chart narrative
In Fletcher of the Bounty, Kiwi author Graeme Lay charts the course of the infanous mutineer.
Why now? Coming clean on induction
Why now? Coming clean on induction
About to be inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame, Dunedin band The Clean prefer to look forward rather than back, Shane Gilchrist writes.
Clean sweep into hall of fame
Clean sweep into hall of fame
Dunedin band The Clean will be inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame later this month.
Plays on words
Plays on words
The multi-talented Tom Sainsbury, a guest at the third New Zealand Young Writers Festival, tells Shane Gilchrist there are no secrets to success.
The metamorphosis of Kylie Price
The metamorphosis of Kylie Price
Kylie Price might have moved from country roads to pop on her new release, yet the Dunedin singer-songwriter still trades in true grit, writes Shane Gilchrist.
Turbulent times
Turbulent times
New Zealand political commentator and author Colin James’ latest book is a sobering report card on the world, yet it also offers reasons for hope, writes Shane Gilchrist.
Nadia Reid a Silver Scroll finalist
Reid Silver Scroll finalist
Dunedin singer-songwriter Nadia Reid has been named a finalist for the 2017 Apra Silver Scroll Award.
Formidable fauna on way to museum
Formidable fauna
A new exhibition looming at Otago Museum is a matter of life and death, writes Shane Gilchrist.