Dunedin Police have condemned the behaviour of the hosts of a super spreader party by University of Otago students.
Police were called to the London Street party on Thursday just before midnight that had at least 300 attendees in the backyard alone.
This party follows a series of COVID-19 super spreader events on Castle street on Saturday and Monday night, where a positive Omicorn case attended.
The entire street has been listed as a location of interest, with hundreds of students now required to get tested and isolate while awaiting results.
But despite warnings, another Dunedin party was in full swing last night.
‘’This is just blatant stupidity on the hosts' behalf to have a party like this and exceed the limits with the recent locations of interest being in the student area," Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond told Stuff.
Bond told the outlet he would speak to the organisers of the London Street party on Friday "when they are sober".
He said the nine flatmates initially were difficult to deal with and denied any wrongdoing but later admitted the party got out of control.
Police have referred the students to the University of Otago's Proctor's office.
The University of Otago said in a statement following the Castle Street parties earlier this week that it condemns mass gatherings under the red traffic light system.
"We have used a variety of communication channels to inform all students that mass gatherings pose a significant health risk and that large gatherings of returning students in north Dunedin at informal social events are a serious concern," the statement said.
However, Dunedin is known for its reputation of large information social events - making it a hard thing to stop.
