By Dave Goosselink
Students are returning to studies across the country, and down in Otago they are determined to put on the biggest toga party for their "freshers".
Students are taking over the new stadium for the party, one of the highlights of Otago's orientation to welcome the new students to Dunedin.
Otago University Student Association (OUSA) president Logan Edgar says it would be a memorable party.
“It's just an awesome novelty to be able to get in there and party, and probably unlike any other venue that I can think of.”
Mr Edgar thought the party of 2,400 would set an unofficial world record for the biggest ever toga party.
The week has been renamed "Orientadium" in honour of the move to the stadium, forced by redevelopment work at the university union buildings.
At the beginning of the year there is an influx of around 20,000 students and the new arrivals are clear on why they have headed south.
New student Anya Duyvestyn likes it so far.
“[It’s] better than Auckland by far, it's so much more student orientated, cheaper, better parties and better study.”
Arna Long says the city is infamous for the student fun.
“It's just known around the world as, you know, a student city.”
Otago is unique to student Isaac Gray.
“Just the whole atmosphere really. Like it's just a student town, 20,000 of us in one place. And no other city really offers that.”
Students also love the recently-completed University Plaza, which backs onto the stadium.
The facility is home to teaching spaces and the Unipol gym.
OUSA recreation officer Blake Luff thinks the stadium area will become a new student hub.
“Everything's going to be a lot more affordable for them as well which is going to be cool. And then obviously with this gym and everything being close to the uni, it should get a lot more patronage as well.”
Mr Edgar is confident the new facilities and week-long party will create a great first impression.
“People ask me why we don't have international acts. We didn't need to, we've got the best freshest Kiwi talent here at the moment.”
Top Kiwi drum and bass act Shapeshifter have returned from six months in Berlin, and will be headlining celebrations this weekend at a sold-out gig, separate from the toga party.
Shapeshifter vocalist P Diggs says he hopes the performance will make a fun start to the students’ year.
“It's important to get the next generation of kids and new students and that, all worked up and ready for a year of swatting... Nah it's always good fun down there.”
3 News