Plans for a notorious student street party in Dunedin may have hit a road block.
Safety concerns about the Agnew St party have left residents unsure whether thousands of students will grace their front yards this year.
Earlier this year, documents released to student magazine Critic showed emergency services were concerned about the party, usually held in early August, going ahead.
Students then called on the Otago University Students’ Association to get involved in the planning of the event.
President Jack Manning said 48.7% of people who responded to a referendum asking if OUSA should investigate co-hosting the event with Agnew St residents said yes. The matter would be discussed at an upcoming meeting.
"As with any street party, the safety of students [is the main concern]."
He said OUSA provided regular events, both at Starters Bar and as part of campaigns such as Ori and Re-Ori, as well as being involved in initiatives like the Good One party registration service, but had no association with the planning of the Agnew St event.
It also ran the Hyde St party, which used to be organised by residents, in the same vein as the less formal Agnew St party.
Agnew St resident Isabella Copinga said as far as she knew, the party plans were on hold.
Another, Yashna Shetty (21), said the last residents’ meeting was before lockdown.
She believed the resident who had taken charge of the planning was in contact with the University of Otago proctor.
She was happy for the event to go ahead, but would like further safety measures taken.
The party organiser could not be reached for comment.
Last year, there was a heavy police presence in the area for the party, and about 17 people who had been at the party needed treatment at Dunedin Hospital’s emergency department for injuries and intoxication.
A University of Otago spokesman said the Agnew St party was not supported by the university, but it had encouraged the organisers to contact the Dunedin City Council and emergency services to discuss the event.
Senior Sergeant Craig Dinnissen said police declined to comment on the party at this stage.
