After a week-long inquest at the Dunedin courthouse in May, Coroner Heather McKenzie delivered her findings on Monday — just days after the five-year anniversary of Miss Crestani’s death.
After the findings were delivered, Miss Crestani’s parents called out the "collective memory loss" of the young men who gave evidence about hosting the party where their daughter died.
And police said they would continue to work with others on harm prevention initiatives in North Dunedin.
Miss Crestani, a 19-year-old University of Otago student, died in a stairwell pile-up in 2019 at a celebration dubbed "Maggot Fest", to which 400 people were invited via Facebook.
Ms McKenzie found the teen died on October 5 or 6, 2019, from crush asphyxia.
The inquest heard that about midnight, partygoers at "The Manor" were "packed in like sardines".
An atmosphere of panic developed and about 40 people on the staircase, including Miss Crestani, were pulled into a pile-up which, ultimately, caused her death.
Since then, Sophia’s parents — Elspeth McMillan and Bede Crestani — have advocated for safe student behaviour in Dunedin, resulting in the creation of The Sophia Charter.
Outside court, they said it was difficult to hear that their daughter’s death was preventable.
"We are disappointed that the tenants did not acknowledge or take any responsibility for the role that their actions or lack of actions contributed to Sophia’s death, but rather had collective memory loss at the inquest," Ms McMillan said.
"We sort of talk of it as a ‘semi-colon’ for us. We can now stop having to live over and over again the circumstances of Sophia's death and start to just remember the good times we had with her, but also put our energies back into The Sophia Charter.”
"Commitments and promises made by stakeholder partners [are] amazing, very good, but they're only as good as their follow-through," Ms Mason said.
"It can happen, it has happened, and it will happen again if we don't talk about it and if we don't recognise the fact that the situation in the drinking culture is dangerous at times."
She said the coroner’s recommendation of having at least one sober person monitoring a party was reasonable and realistic for most students.
"I think it's wishful [thinking] with certain groups and certain students who would kind of just laugh at that," she said.
"But that's why I think student involvement is needed because if that comes from purely authority figures, then it's not as likely to resonate with them."
Police yesterday did not answer questions about whether the recommendations were realistic or likely to be implemented by Dunedin students.
"Police acknowledge the findings of Coroner McKenzie relating to the tragic death of Sophia Crestani."We remain committed to working in collaboration with our valued partners on harm prevention initiatives in North Dunedin and, as a collective (inclusive of student groups), we are focused on enhancing a culture that supports student wellbeing and safety," alcohol harm prevention officer Sergeant Steve Jones said.
The coroner found the landlord and property manager of "The Manor" should have considered terminating the tenancy.
She said complaints from the Dunedin City Council and the proctor’s office following a party earlier in the year, warranted Tenancy Tribunal action being considered as the tenants had breached their responsibility not to disturb their neighbours.
"Had the tenancy been terminated, the party would not have occurred," she said.
At the inquest, the landlord considered it "too hard" to terminate tenancies for any reason other than rent not being paid.
Yesterday, Otago Property Investors Association executive member Kathryn Seque said in order to terminate the tenancy, a tribunal hearing would have to be held.
"I can say on behalf of the Otago Property Investors that there's been a lot of work done ... between landlords and the university to mitigate parties in flats, especially in two-storey flats — that they're either kept outside or the stairs are barricaded off so nobody can go up them and that's all directly from The Sophia Charter," Ms Seque said.
In response to the recommendation that the university reconsider their disciplinary approach, Mr Robertson said continual review and improvement of systems was important.
"There is an inherent tension in how involved the university should be in the lives of students.
"Our approach to safety, well-being and discipline in North Dunedin is constantly evolving and we will continue to develop it as suggested by the coroner," he said.
"There’s always more to do to make sure that we do create the safe and inclusive environment here in Dunedin that we all want."
Otago University Students Association president Keegan Wells agreed there was also more room for improvement when it came to student safety.
"It's not new for us to make sure that people are having a fun and safe and enjoyable time while at university, and this is just another extension of it," she said.
The coroner said Miss Crestani’s legacy continues to inspire change in the community.
"Sophia’s death has resulted in a profound loss for her family and friends, the echoes of which will continue to sound," she said.
"May Sophia rest in peace."But may she also be seen within the actions her loved ones and interested parties are taking to honour her legacy and to help make North Dunedin a safer place for students."
At a glance
Recommendations to prevent similar deaths
• Hosts to notify agencies of large parties
• Hosts to monitor the size and atmosphere of the event
• Hosts to have at least one sober person on site
• University of Otago should reconsider disciplining students after parties
• University should consider penalties imposed and publication of these
• University should provide better information about the limitations of Campus Watch
• Parties of a certain size should trigger a visit from relevant organisations before the event
• Official advice to "lock your bedroom doors" when hosting a party could be removed
• OUSA should provide more education about safe parties
