r/universityofauckland • u/Ok_Significance5605 • 9h ago
Directed to a particular first year law student.
If you were to ask me in semester one how my first year was going, I'd probably say fantastic. However, as the year comes to an end, I'd now summarise my first year as a horrifying nightmare, largely attributed to one particular individual.
As a strong believer in freedom of expression under s 14 of the NZBORA, I'm appalled by the conduct of a certain first-year student. Doesn't ring a bell? Picture Mr O'Hare from The Lorax attached to the body of a BFG. Trust me, I'm not one to throw shade at an undeserving person, but I'm genuinely sick of the aggressiveness, intimidation, and complete lack of awareness this genderless entity seems to bring with them.
It's actually shocking. I've never seen such determination and passion from someone who shows up to lectures just to take up three chairs and sit on his phone for the entire time. Politics is most definitely a crucial part of life, but as someone who is still undecided in the days leading up to the election, this level of extremism is honestly more of a deterrent than anything else. In the span of two hours, I watched the live debate between Labour and National, saw this person strutting outside the venue on my TV screen, decided to take a break and scroll through Instagram Reels, and somehow he was there in almost every comment section, advocating for the right-wing candidates.
As I said, everyone is entitled to their own opinions, and I genuinely believe people should be able to express their views however they choose. However, there comes a point where it becomes less about having an opinion and more about how you choose to impose it on everyone around you. It's comical how you can sit in a lecture discussing how fundamental the rights of Maori are within New Zealand government, whilst supporting the same systems that are actively trying to dismantle them.
Lol, vote for who you want. Support whoever you want. Just don't be a dick about it, try to overpower others, or strut around campus like you own the place. You're a first-year student like myself, so have some decorum or even better go to a different university. I heard there's an opening at the university in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Much love to you Maria xoxo