The View St house where the party was held. Photo: Otago Daily Times / Stephen Jacquiery
A student who went to an overcrowded party at a notorious Dunedin flat says the night could easily have ended in tragedy.
The View St party was shut down by police late on Wednesday with 600 people crowded inside and another 200 on the street.
The dangers of overcrowded gatherings came into focus in 2019 when student Sophia Crestani died after she was caught in a stairwell crush at a North Dunedin party.
The student who had been at the View St party described chaotic scenes and said they were surprised it took so long for it to be shut down.
"It was very dangerous."
A photo taken inside the flat shows partygoers packed on the ground floor, an internal balcony and on a staircase.
At one point a "scrap" broke out on the balcony, which almost caused people to tumble down the stairs.
"There could have easily been someone trampled on a stairwell," the student said.
The converted former backpackers in View St has previously made headlines for out-of-control parties.
Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond, of Dunedin, said officers were called to reports of bottles being thrown at the party about 11pm on Wednesday.
The numbers packed into the building presented a safety hazard and police took a prevention approach, turning off the stereo and clearing out the party, Snr Sgt Bond said.
It took about an hour to remove partygoers.
A 20-year-old man was arrested for urinating on a police car and referred to the University of Otago proctor.
Snr Sgt Bond said staff from Fire and Emergency New Zealand, the Dunedin City Council and police would be visiting the flat's tenants today "to remind them of their obligations".
A university spokesman said the proctor visited the address yesterday and spoke to tenants.
"Campus Watch staff are actively working in the north Dunedin community 24/7 throughout Orientation Week and were not made aware of this event in the city centre."
It said it took the safety of its students seriously and was the only university in New Zealand to invest in a 24/7 service.
The university did not respond to a question about whether the party was disappointing in the context of the Sophia Charter, which was set up following Crestani's death.
The multi-agency agreement included police working with the university to establish a clear set of working principles regarding large gatherings.
Asked about a permanent noise abatement notice previously issued to the address, a DCC spokesman said it was "actively investigating" the latest issues.
This story was originally published on the Otago Daily Times website.