The Incident at Centre for Innovation Building

In the early hours of February 11, 2026, around 12:10 a.m., a young man was found lying critically injured on the ground outside the Centre for Innovation building at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. Campus Watch staff, who patrol the area 24/7 to ensure student safety, discovered him alone after reviewing nearby CCTV footage that captured the fall from a ledge approximately 7 to 10 meters high. Emergency services from Hato Hone St John responded swiftly, transporting him to Dunedin Hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in a critical condition.

Investigations revealed a wine bottle on the ledge, with no apparent access points from inside the building, suggesting the individual had climbed the exterior wall to reach it. Police spoke with a group of students at a nearby flat who confirmed they had been drinking, and the young man had left the gathering alone. Notably, the victim is not a University of Otago student, though the incident occurred on campus grounds during the lead-up to Orientation Week (O-Week), known locally as a period of heightened social activity.

University of Otago's Swift Response and Safety Messaging

Vice-Chancellor Grant Robertson issued a statement emphasizing the rapid action taken by university staff, who alerted emergency services immediately upon discovery. The institution is fully cooperating with police in the ongoing investigation while respecting privacy protocols. In light of the event, Otago has reiterated a strong message to its community: 'stay off roofs.'

This directive draws from recent tragedies, including the case of Jayden Broome, a University of Otago student who suffered a critical brain injury after falling from a student flat roof in September 2025. Campus Watch has intensified efforts, including door-knocking flats in North Dunedin to distribute safety information on personal security, safe behavior in multi-story buildings, avoiding roof climbing, and proper waste management. These proactive measures underscore Otago's commitment to fostering a secure environment for its approximately 21,000 students, the majority based in Dunedin.

The university's Campus Watch program plays a pivotal role here. Operating around the clock, it provides safety patrols, walk-home services from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. on weekends, and interventions to deter risky behavior. This service not only responds to incidents but also prevents them through visible presence and education.

Police Concerns Over Flo Week Culture

Senior police officers have voiced alarm over escalating risks during 'Flo Week'—an informal pre-O-Week period of flat parties hosted by second- and third-year students. Constable Eli Stafford-Rogers highlighted how alcohol impairs judgment, balance, and coordination, urging, 'Don't climb buildings when you're drinking; one decision can change everything.' This incident follows reports of a student being struck by a flying bottle, prompting calls for a 'significant culture change' among partygoers.

Flo Week, short for 'Flat O-Week,' has evolved into a week-long series of themed parties attracting hundreds, often involving roof access and excessive drinking. Police note this trend has intensified recently, with climbing and bottle-throwing becoming normalized dangers. Extra officers are deployed during these periods to manage crowds and enforce safety.

Understanding Flo Week and O-Week in Dunedin Context

Dunedin, New Zealand's premier student city with over 25,000 tertiary students comprising 20% of its 130,000 population, transforms during Flo and O-Weeks. O-Week officially runs from February 14 to 20, 2026, featuring structured events like campus tours, IT setup sessions, course advice, sports days, and cultural welcomes at University of Otago. Highlights include the Vice-Chancellor's welcome, Pacific Scholars events, and seminars on academic success and sustainability.

However, the unstructured Flo Week precedes it, marked by private flat parties. While O-Week includes safety-focused sessions like 'Campus Safety – Start at your door' and 'Tips for a safe adventure,' the informal nature of Flo Week evades oversight, amplifying risks. This cultural phenomenon is unique to Dunedin, fueled by affordable housing and a vibrant student quarter.

For international students eyeing New Zealand higher education, understanding these traditions is crucial. Resources like Otago's O-Week page outline events, emphasizing transition support.

A Pattern of Tragedies: Historical Incidents at Otago and Dunedin

Safety challenges during student party seasons are not new. In 2016, a Castle Street balcony collapse injured multiple partygoers, prompting reviews of private event management. The 2019 death of Sophia Crestani in a stairwell crush at an overcrowded flat was ruled 'likely preventable' by a coroner in 2024, highlighting overcrowding risks.

More recently, Jayden Broome's September 2025 fall from a two-storey flat roof left him with severe brain trauma. As of early 2026, the promising Southland rugby player, then recovering in Wakari Hospital, expressed gratitude for his survival but accepted he may never play again. These cases illustrate recurring themes: alcohol, heights, and poor judgment.

• 2016: Balcony collapse – multiple injuries
• 2019: Stairwell crush – one fatality
• 2025: Roof fall – critical brain injury
• 2026: Campus ledge fall – critical condition

Alcohol's Role in Student Harm: New Zealand Statistics

Alcohol-related issues plague tertiary settings nationwide. A 2018 study found hazardous drinking prevalent among New Zealand university students, with 33% reporting blackouts in the prior four weeks. At Otago, evaluations showed a decline in intoxication from 45% in 2004 to 33% in 2014, yet problems persist.

Nationally, alcohol contributes to 901 deaths, 1,250 cancers, 29,282 hospitalizations, and 128,963 injury claims annually (2018 data). University students experience physical consequences like vomiting (high rates) and secondary harms from others' drinking. These figures underscore the need for harm minimization in higher education.

Campus Watch and Proactive Safety at Otago

University of Otago's Campus Watch exemplifies best practices in higher education safety. Objectives include maintaining a secure environment through patrols, escorts, and behavior deterrence. During peak times, the Safety Patrol operates late nights, offering free rides home.

Door-knocking initiatives deliver targeted advice, from roof avoidance to flat security. This community-oriented policing model, run by the Proctor's Office, has demonstrably reduced incidents over time. For those interested in such roles, opportunities abound in higher education administration jobs focused on student services.

Best Practices for Orientation Safety Across NZ Universities

New Zealand's Code of Pastoral Care mandates providers ensure learner wellbeing. Best practices include 24/7 security, emergency response plans, and orientation programs extending pre-arrival. Universities like Waikato and Auckland emphasize honest conduct and event risk assessments.

Police recommend ID checks, avoiding alcohol poisoning, and safe partying during O-Week. Seminars on harm minimization, peer support, and cultural integration are standard. For career advice in student support, visit higher ed career advice.

• Pre-arrival online orientation
• 24/7 campus security
• Peer mentoring programs
• Alcohol education workshops
• Risk-assessed events

Perspectives from Stakeholders in Higher Education

Students value Campus Watch for its approachable authority, though some question oversight. Parents worry about Dunedin's party reputation, seeking assurances via structured O-Week. Experts advocate integrating mental health and alcohol education into curricula.

University staff, like proctors, stress collective responsibility: 'Look out for one another.' Police push venue responsibility in serving alcohol. These views highlight the need for multi-stakeholder collaboration in NZ colleges and universities.

Pathways to Safer Student Celebrations

Solutions include registered parties via platforms like Good One Dunedin, responsible service training, and tech like apps for safe rides. Universities could mandate flat safety audits and expand Campus Watch. National policies might fund harm reduction campaigns.

Actionable insights: Plan ahead, know limits, use escorts. For prospective students rating experiences, rate my professor and rate my course offer insights into campus culture.

Photo by Tonia Kraakman on Unsplash

Future Outlook for NZ Higher Education Safety

As enrollment grows—Otago at ~21,000 headcount—investing in safety yields dividends in retention and reputation. Positive shifts, like declining intoxication rates, show progress. With constructive measures, Flo and O-Weeks can evolve into safe rites of passage.

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