Dunedin celebrations wallaby fire

The story so far

Visiting students reportedly brought the shot animal to the festivities, which also included fireworks, alcohol and couch burning.^{17 Mar 2025} The University of Otago blamed student interlopers for the incident, and police are investigating.^{18 Mar 2025} Police believe the wallaby had been dead for some time before it was burned.^{18 Mar 2025} Two days later, the father of a student who died at an overcrowded 2019 house party said he feared another student death was inevitable, citing police reports of disruptive behaviour.^{19 Mar 2025}

Key moments

1. 17 Mar 2025Dead wallaby thrown onto couch fire during student St Patrick's Day celebrations.
2. 18 Mar 2025University of Otago blames student interlopers for the incident.
3. 18 Mar 2025Police investigating; believe the wallaby was dead before being burned.
4. 19 Mar 2025Father of a 2019 house-party victim fears another student death is inevitable.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.