Between the sheets, pillowcases, and general chaos, last night’s Orientation Week Toga Party was bed-lam at its finest.
The annual tradition had thousands of University of Otago first-year students raiding the city’s op-shops for white bed linen to turn into their outfits for the evening.
A few eggs were hurled from passing cars as attendees milled around the front of a modern-day colosseum — Forsyth Barr Stadium — but the arrival of police quickly put an end to that.
Otago University Students’ Association venues and events operations manager Jason Schroeder said the party, which sold about 3200 tickets, was the biggest for about five years.
‘‘It’s the excitement of going to a big concert, with only people from your hall, getting to know everyone, getting dressed up.’’
DJ Spinal, Loose & Colourful, and Melt entertained the hordes of partiers.
The pair had spent ‘‘way too long’’ working on their outfits, which were adorned with gold glitter and strands of green leaves, Miss Shepherd said.
And, in line with the chants ringing out around them, she had already sworn against a fellow hall of residence.
‘‘We don’t like Arana.’’
