Chaff was the students' newspaper of Massey University Students' Association (MUSA) at the Turitea campus of Massey University, New Zealand. Chaff was established in 1934 as a semi-regular, type-written newsletter for students of Massey Agricultural College. As throughout its 79-year run it mixed local news with comment, humour, competitions and correspondence.
After 15 years of erratic publication (partially due to reduced student numbers during World War II), the paper roared fully into life in 1959, thanks to the efforts of student Kevin. F. O'Connor. This professionally printed, regularly produced A4 magazine (1949-1955)/A3 newspaper (1955-), supported by outside advertising and grants from the Massey Student Association, continued until a combination of factors - including administrative disinterest and major legislative changes to Association funding - meant Chaff published its last issue in October 2011.
It has been replaced with MASSIVE Magazine, based in Wellington and published monthly, with 2-3 pages each per issue given to news and events on the Palmerston North and Albany Massey campuses.
Controversy
In May 2006 the cover of the newspaper featured an image of Mao Zedong superimposed on a woman's body. The issue received media attention and prompted a protest by approximately 50 students of mainly Chinese descent. A formal apology was requested by Chinese student representatives and Massey's International Student Director. However, the newspaper instead responded with an explanation of the intent of the cover image.[1]