
- Dunedin students celebrated St Patrick鈥檚 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鈥檚 university students 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 鈥渟ix before six鈥 challenge - drinking six alcoholic beverages 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 鈥渨ine before 9鈥 and 鈥済oon before noon鈥, and had become a common way to start the day鈥檚 celebrations.
Despite speculation that couch burning was a thing of the past, the practice returned in full force, with four fires reported early Monday morning.
Students celebrating St Patrick鈥檚 Day together in Dunedin鈥檚 student quarter. Photo / Ben Tomsett
The Otago Daily Times also reported that a wallaby had been burned on one of the couches, an incident police have confirmed is under investigation.
Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond said police had been patrolling the student quarter since 6am and, as of midday, no arrests had been made.
Students on the roof of 'Big Red' during St Patrick's Day. Photo / Ben Tomsett
鈥淯nfortunately, we did have four fires this morning between 6am and 7am in the Castle Street and Leith Street North area. That was disappointing,鈥 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 were 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 九一星空无限 that they had been advised of 鈥渙ne 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鈥.
Therese Hails and Gerry Thompson, of Dunedin, said St Patrick's Day was "not just for young people." Photo / Ben Tomsett
Bond also acknowledged that the celebrations had attracted visitors from outside Dunedin.
鈥淧eople do come down for this event 鈥 it attracts visitors from out of town who either stay for the weekend or just come for the day,鈥 he said.
Students celebrating St Patrick's Day. Photo / Ben Tomsett
On Friday, Logan Park High School assistant principal John Major sent an email to parents of students warning them of 鈥渁nti-social behaviour around the Logan Park High School/University area鈥 on St Patrick鈥檚 Day.
Students at 'The Beach House' flat celebrating St Patrick's Day. Photo / Ben Tomsett
鈥淚n 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,鈥 the email said.
Dunedin students celebrating 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.
A police presence had also been arranged to monitor noise and behaviour.
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