The notorious Undie 500 is scheduled for this weekend, with the first cars due in Dunedin tomorrow evening.
Previously, the car-loads of Canterbury and Lincoln university students have inspired fear among many residents of Dunedin, or in the case of many Otago students, a thirst for destruction.
This year they will be met with more of a mixed reception.
Students are apprehensive of the outcome this weekend.
Some believe Dunedin is in for a destructive weekend, while others think the promised tough line will keep trouble to a minimum.
Opinions of students I talked to ranged from "[this year] will have just as much rioting and damage, and as many arrests as last year and the year before that...", to "when the authorities say zero-tolerance, they're going to mean it this time."
Both students quoted have requested to remain anonymous.
Originally organised by the University of Canterbury Engineering society (ENSOC) in 1989, the Undie 500 was comprised of only students that were officially registered, and therefore accountable, for the event.
They would buy a car for under five hundred dollars, and decorate the car and themselves before driving to Dunedin for a two-day pub crawl.
In recent years, many slipped through the regulations, and combined with Otago students and a handful of locals, the event degenerated into a violent and destructive mess.
ENSOC pulled out of organising the event after 2007's record 69 arrests over the weekend, with themed cars and mattresses torched on Castle, Dundas, Hyde and Leith Streets.
Even this year's debate on how to contain the event has stimulated animosity from community and student-based groups.
The DCC has been in the firing line from the Otago University Students' Association (OUSA) President, Edwin Darlow.
He described dealing with the DCC and its attitude of "powerlessness" towards the event as "frustrating".
This year, the "official" event has been renamed the "Undie Charity Drive" in an attempt to change the idea and actions of the previous events.
More precautions will also be taken, including a ‘good behaviour bond', and a ‘no diversion' policy for any students that get charged.
However, some students believes the event is unable to be rehabilitated.
Emily Platt, a fourth year Political Studies student believes, "they can't expect to organize an event that keeps some of elements of the Undie 500, and ignores the others... That's just wishful thinking".
The recent crackdown on student behaviour has understandably made students more hesitant and conscientious of the actions, which many are hoping with be reflected this weekend.
However, as Canterbury students have not been subject to the same conditions, their behaviour may be more variable.