News

The annual Hyde Street keg party that took place on Saturday March 19 has been criticised, with local police and fire officials arguing the event should not be held in 2012.
The event, which has been a highlight on many students’ calendars for years, is now facing an uphill battle to see a return in 2012. The day was marred by reports of multiple fires, fights and alcohol-related-hospitalisations.

 
A total of 55 arrests were made throughout Dunedin on Saturday and on Sunday morning, 18 of those were students and seven of those were made at Hyde Street. All arrests at Hyde Street were for disorder-type offences or breaches of the liquor ban.

 
Many students are blaming out-of-towners and those who attended the rugby, rather than the Hyde Street event, for the abnormally high number of arrests.

 
Police Inspector Alastair Dickie told Critic that the event was a negative stain on the city’s reputation and should be cancelled.
 

“This event is a big draw on emergency service personnel with police basically acting as babysitters, their mere presence preventing a serious escalation in negative behaviour I venture to suggest. Otago University and the city have gained a very negative reputation from drunken student antics which have turned into a culture now past its use-by date.”

 
Dickie did, however, state that in general the behaviour of students was better than in previous years.
 

“The attitudes generally were very good; a lot of happy drunks and when we emptied the street there was good compliance, and that is the way it should be as students are supposedly intelligent and responsible citizens. Unfortunately some let the side down and caused serious damage to the reputation of the city and university.” 
 

In contrast, most students who attended the party had a different take on events. Many Hyde Street residents had been seen out earlier in the week decorating their flats with murals, banners and props in line with their chosen themes.

 
Several students commented that the amount of effort and creativity that went into almost all of the flats on the street was outstanding. Hyde Street residents also told Critic that it felt like a great bonding of their community, with everyone helping to try and put on the best event possible.

 
Critic spoke to some of the local businesses to hear what they had to say about the annual event. Leith Street Superliquor’s manager said they were overrun by demand in their store. They also confirmed that the Hyde Street party is their most profitable day of the year “by far”, despite having to close at 5.30pm.
 

Local café and bar Eureka closed for the day but opened up their outside area and held a barbeque for party-goers. A Eureka employee stated that they didn’t have a single problem with the event and were looking forward to having more on offer next year.

 
On Sunday Hyde Street residents were awoken at 7am by Campus Watch and informed they must assist in cleaning up the street. The DCC supplied skips and once the street had been swept by midday, it looked far better than it did before the event. Nearly all residents were out sweeping and collecting rubbish off the street all through the morning.
 

Whether or not the event goes ahead next year remains uncertain and much debate will no doubt ensue. However, at the time of Critic going to press, 1200 people had already confirmed their attendance at the 2012 event on Facebook. 2800 people are also ready to attend the inaugural “Hyde Street Goon Party”, set to take place in the Second Semester.