The infamous Hyde St party will go ahead in Dunedin this year, as organisers promise the event will be "safe and controlled".
The party is scheduled for May 28 and will again be organised by the Otago University Students’ Association .
OUSA president Melissa Lama said it recognised the need for a safe student event and was working with all involved.
There had been few opportunities for organised events to date this year, given the impact of Covid-19 and associated restrictions, she said.
Information provided by OUSA said the party would be limited to 3600 people.
The event would be restricted to students from Otago Polytechnic and the University of Otago who were over 18 and were second year or above.
Tickets for general admission would be issued by lottery, the winners allowed to buy tickets which cost from $20 for residents to $70 for non-students, excluding booking fees.
Ticket on-selling would be prohibited and food and water would be provided to ticket holders at no additional cost .
The street would be be cleared of rubbish and cars before the event went ahead.
Glass containers would also be banned.
As a condition of entry, attendees would be prohibited from climbing on to any roofs, fences or barriers, on pain of a $200 fine.
A University of Otago spokeswoman said it did not endorse the Hyde St party, but it supported OUSA, which had a long history of running safe events.
The proctor’s office and campus watch were working closely with everyone involved to ensure the event was safe, she said.
In previous years, the Hyde St party contributed to Dunedin’s reputation as the student-party capital of New Zealand.
In 2011, 25 partygoers were arrested and couches were burned in the street.
In 2012, a roof loaded with revellers collapsed and 15 students were arrested.
That year was a turning point, and OUSA took over the event in 2013.
Behaviour has generally improved over the years, but the event maintains a reputation for colourful costumes and excessive drinking.
The event is believed to have first came to the attention of authorities in 1995.
It probably evolved out of an informal competition between flats to see who could finish a keg fastest.
