The saddest words: what might have been
Today, September 24, 2020, marks six years since my brother John passed away.
Tinker Tailor Student Spy
Cannot leave statues as they stand
Cannot leave statues as they stand
All across the globe, statues commemorating the inglorious dead are toppling, writes Jean Balchin.
A lament for Oluwatoyin Salau
A lament for Oluwatoyin Salau
For this week’s column, Jean Balchin decided to ‘‘pass the mic’’ to dear friend and fellow Rhodes Scholar, Mimi Alyce Borders, who has penned this article in response to the murder of Oluwatoyin Salau, a young black woman from Tallahassee, Florida.
Pandemic affects the vulnerable differently
Pandemic affects the vulnerable differently
By the time this article is printed, New Zealand will be in lockdown just as we are in the United Kingdom.
In the future, how will we be remembered?
In the future, how will we be remembered?
This past Sunday, the University of Otago’s Richardson building hosted a brilliant light show, exploring how the Victorians grappled with a world in transition.
Weinstein conviction not enough
Weinstein conviction not enough
Earlier this week, seemingly momentous news broke — disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein was finally found guilty of sexual assault.
Novels succeed without ostentatious writing
Novels succeed without ostentatious writing
‘‘It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.’’
We must confront idols’ flaws
We must confront idols’ flaws
It had started to rain when I heard about Kobe Bryant’s death.
Behind true crime’s appeal
Behind true crime’s appeal
I was in the pub the other night with a few friends after a particularly strenuous rock climbing session when my friend Sebastian told me to close my eyes.
Why I’m shaving my head and how you can support me
Why I’m shaving my head and how you can support me
On February 29, 2020, I will be shaving my head.
Discrimination at Oxford Union
Discrimination at Oxford Union
Winter is gathering here in Oxford, the streets are icy, and it seems that all hell has broken loose in the Oxford Union.
Special qualities make a friendship
Special qualities make a friendship
On Saturday, I completed my 25th revolution around the sun. In other words, I turned 25 years old; a full quarter of a century.
Keeping imagination and creativity alive as facts loom large
Keeping imagination and creativity alive as facts loom large
Among his other talents, my father is a talented storyteller. So talented, in fact, that after countless bedtime stories, I would toss and turn in my bed, conjuring up all sorts of terrifying...
Visited in dreams by lost loved ones
Visited in dreams by lost loved ones
Last night, I dreamed of him again. My siblings and I were sitting on the sand at Waihi Beach, squabbling over our picnic lunch, and boasting of the waves we were going to catch. John was to my...
Facing realities of colonisation
Facing realities of colonisation
In a rebuttal to a previous article , Emeritus Prof Olssen accuses me of making ''specious'' claims about the legacy and character of Captain James Cook.
Paucity of New Zealand history education should be addressed
Paucity of New Zealand history education should be addressed
I was wandering aimlessly around the airport on Tuesday morning, after arriving horrifically early for my flight, when I chanced upon a brightly coloured children's picture book.
Familiar weirdness of home
Familiar weirdness of home
After a long and harrowing journey, I was finally home.
Reflecting on my year in Oxford
Reflecting on my year in Oxford
Nearing the end of her first year in Oxford, Jean Balchin says it can, at times, be a dark and lonely place.
Choose words carefully if dealing with suicide
Choose words carefully if dealing with suicide
Every time I hear the phrase ''committing suicide'' it feels like someone has sucker-punched me in the stomach, writes Jean Balchin.
Unjustified prejudice hinders treatment of depression
Unjustified prejudice hinders treatment of depression
Every morning, shortly after waking, I carefully press out two yellow and green pills from their silver foil and pop them in my mouth. I swallow them with a mouthful of coffee, and then go about my...