Obsessive delight in popularising memes
Change My Mind. Distracted Boyfriend. Exit 12. Tide Pods. Doge. Grumpy Cat.
Tinker Tailor Student Spy
Symbol of pride delight to see
Symbol of pride delight to see
Oxford is slowly warming up. The hours of watery sunshine are lengthening day by day, and daffodils are beginning to poke their heads up in the muddy parks and lawns.
Support good journalism to do its job for society
Support good journalism to do its job for society
A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of meeting the esteemed journalist, lawyer, former government adviser and fellow Rhodes Scholar Ronan Farrow when he spoke for an evening in Oxford after...
Wise or wounding, words have power over those we love
Wise or wounding, words have power over those we love
The immortal words of R.E.M were the soundtrack of my teenage years. Instead of a regular teenage rebellion involving sex, drugs and rock'n'roll, I defied my parents by reading feminist literature, blaring AC/DC from my room, and refusing to go to church.
Eating disorders pernicious in all their forms
Eating disorders pernicious in all their forms
As of today, December 20, 2018, I occupy the most space I ever have in my life.
Maori Santa one of many versions
Maori Santa one of many versions
Despite being 11,660 miles away from sunny Nelson, New Zealand, the ''Maori Santa Claus'' debacle has reached the frozen wastelands of Oxford, England.
Making my own way through Wonderland
Making my own way through Wonderland
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: to most children, an exciting, multicoloured kaleidoscope of eccentric characters and intrepid adventures, from anxious, yet well-dressed white rabbits to murderous, ill-tempered queens hellbent on decapitating anything and everyone.
Even a life-long nomad feels the significance of moving
Even a life-long nomad feels the significance of moving
Whenever I am asked where in New Zealand I am from, I do not know how to answer.
Oxford life offers insights into a world of privilege
Oxford life offers insights into a world of privilege
It has been exactly one month since I moved to Oxford, ''that sweet city with dreaming spires'', to quote the poet and critic Matthew Arnold.
False rape accusations not the real problem
False rape accusations not the real problem
In the wake of the Kavanaugh-Ford debacle, there have been many ill-thought and frankly disturbing statements being thrown around about the apparent frequency of false rape allegations and the...
Gentrification of Leith saddening
Gentrification of Leith saddening
For the last two months, I have been living in Leith, a delightfully eccentric and family-oriented portside neighborhood in Edinburgh.
Art history has power to broaden our perspective
Art history has power to broaden our perspective
Despite being currently 11,693 miles away from Dunedin, I am still very much invested in the goings-on of Otago University.
Church communities have much to offer - even to atheists
Church communities have much to offer - even to atheists
Anyone who has read my columns for the Otago Daily Times over the past year will realise that I have the tendency to be very sharp, cynical and sceptical, especially when it comes to religion.
Music's power to change lives
Music's power to change lives
When I was 7 years old, my family bought a tired old piano. I watched as four burly men hauled it up the concrete steps to our farmhouse. Soon, the piano became part of the family.
A clear and insightful message for men
A clear and insightful message for men
About a month ago, I was sitting on a bench at the Sydney waterfront, waiting for my friend James. A drunk man in an obnoxiously bright Hawaiian shirt and a boater hat sat down beside me.
Forcing children to hug sends a bad message
Forcing children to hug sends a bad message
Growing up as the eldest child of a Presbyterian minister, I was spoon-fed politeness and obedience along with my morning porridge.
Cherish and remember lost loved ones on their birthday
Cherish and remember lost loved ones on their birthday
Today would have been my brother John's twenty second birthday.
Allowance cut detrimental to national good
Allowance cut detrimental to national good
I'm in the exceedingly fortunate position of not worrying about my postgraduate education costs; I have a scholarship that pays my fees and accommodation over the next few years.
Pick up your pen and let someone know you care
Pick up your pen and let someone know you care
On Monday night, I received a curious letter. One might say it was a letter from beyond the grave.
Real people talk on mental health
Real people talk on mental health
A few Saturdays ago I had the immense pleasure of watching the Suitcase Theatre perform Mental Notes as part of the Dunedin Fringe Festival.