Otago University has contacted police about a student flat initiation, involving a live eel

Student magazine, Critic Te Arohi, is reporting on a video which shows four male students standing in underwear, hoisting an eel above their heads like a trophy, while crowds cheered.

The Otago Daily Times reports the incident was a part of ritualistic hazing - where groups of older students get first-year students to do a number of alcohol-fuelled tasks in front of onlookers.

It says the university is investigating the incident as an alleged serious misconduct matter.

The university has contacted both police, and local iwi for cultural advice.