Luxon in negotiations in India and doubts about the Government's ability to get unemployment under control. Video / NZ Herald, Sky News
Dunedin students celebrated St Patrick’s Day with fireworks, binge drinking, and couch fires.
Police are investigating a barbecued animal incident, with no arrests made by midday.
Logan Park High School warned parents about anti-social behaviour affecting students' safety.
Dunedin’s university students kicked off St Patrick’s Day with fireworks, binge drinking, couch fires, and reports of a barbecued wallaby.
As the sun rose under a blood-red sky, hundreds of students gathered in the streets, some taking part in the “six before six” challenge — drinking six alcoholicdrinks before 6am.
Castle St was alive with St Patrick's Day festivities on Monday. Photo / Ben Tomsett
A second-year student, who did not want to be named, said the challenge was popular among students, as well as “wine before 9″ and “goon before noon”, and had become a common way to start the day’s celebrations.
Another student said they were enjoying the day and making new friends despite the rain earlier in the morning.
Students on the roof of "Big Red" during St Patrick's Day. Photo / Ben Tomsett
Meanwhile, Dunedin couple Therese Hails and Gerry Thompson said they were celebrating St Patrick’s Day on Castle St to relive their youth and “look after these young people”.
Police, as well as university Campus Watch, were conducting regular patrols in the area.
Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond said police had been patrolling the student quarter since 6am and, as of midday, no arrests had been made.
Therese Hails and Gerry Thompson, of Dunedin, said St Patrick's Day was "not just for young people". Photo / Ben Tomsett
“Unfortunately, we did have four fires this morning between 6am and 7am in the Castle St and Leith St North area. That was disappointing,” he said.
He said that many students had been taking advantage of free food provided by various organisations, including pancakes and sausage sizzles.
Campus Watch was present throughout the festivities. Photo / Ben Tomsett
Regarding the wallaby incident, Bond said police were still working to determine the full circumstances.
A police spokesperson earlier told NZME that they had been advised of “one instance where an animal has been burned, however, it appears to have been dead for a period of time beforehand. The animal has since been removed.”
Students celebrate St Patrick's Day. Photo / Ben Tomsett
Bond also acknowledged that the celebrations had attracted visitors from outside Dunedin.
“People do come down for this event — it attracts visitors from out of town who either stay for the weekend or just come for the day,” he said.
Students at The Beach House flat celebrate St Patrick's Day. Photo / Ben Tomsett
University of Otago director of student services Claire Gallop said the “issue of interlopers” in North Dunedin during St Patrick’s Day celebrations had continued to be a significant concern, “and this year has proven no exception”.
“We were made aware that a large number of students from other tertiary institutions planned to travel to Dunedin for the festivities.
“Some of the behaviour in North Dunedin is incredibly disappointing, and it is unfortunate that the actions of a few individuals have led to the association of this behaviour with all University of Otago students.”
Gallop confirmed that until Monday, there had been no incidents involving couch fires in North Dunedin.
“But following the influx of weekend visitors, it is disappointing this changed.”
While the university has a student code of conduct in place, Gallop said that it has no jurisdiction over those who are not enrolled at Otago.
“As in previous years, we carried out educational and harm prevention work with our students in the run up to the day and Campus Watch, residential colleges and student services undertook prevention work on the day working closely with our community partners including police, Fenz and the Dunedin City Council.”
On Friday, Logan Park High School assistant principal John Major sent an email to parents of students warning them of “anti-social behaviour around the Logan Park High School/university area” on St Patrick’s Day.
“In previous years, we have seen groups of university students celebrating the day with alcohol and large gatherings. This has, at times, scared some of our students as they make their way to and from school,” the email said.
Dunedin students celebrate St Patrick's Day on Monday. Photo / Ben Tomsett
He said the University of Otago proctor had been in contact with the school and offered support if needed.
Last week, university vice-chancellor Grant Robertson sent an email to students urging them to be safe and look after their mates should they choose to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.
A police presence had also been arranged to monitor noise and behaviour.
