Should student drinking be contained in the North End?

To contain student drinking to certain areas would infringe their right to free assembly in addition to being discriminatory. Why should certain citizens be able to drink in the Octagon but not others? Bar owners would oppose such a move due to lost revenue. And how could it be enforced?
Maybe the answer is a proactive approach. Provide areas/events, where entry/exit can be controlled, behaviour is monitored and intoxicated people are detained until sober.
Such an approach is already used in certain places around New Zealand for New Year's celebrations. Why not adapt and expand the concept for students?

Is there any evidence that students are disproportionately responsible for violence?

Regardless of that, this would amount to bizarre targeting of a whole group, most of whom will be non-violent. What about students who don't live in the North End? 

A policy like this would have so many anomalies it would be unworkable - and would be a gross restriction on civil liberties for one group.

Would it only apply during term time?  What about part time students?

I don't think Dunedin is ready for a walled community in the North End where all students have to live and drink. Nor having drink police enforcing no student drinking anywhere else.

And why target students? Should retired people be contained in Mosgiel? Should beneficiaries be contained in South Dunedin?

[Note: This is a goal targeted by supporters of a new student bar, not a policy - Ed]

Students used to have pubs in North Dunedin but the university bought them out and shut them down. What makes anyone think that another would not also end up the same way? The university along with council are doing their best to stamp out any fun the students come here for.