'Arabs, Nazis, Bill Cosby or Caitlyn Jenner' costumes have been heavily discouraged by a university's student union in Dunedin, New Zealand.

The Otago University Students' Association has warned students to not dress 'offensively' by releasing a list of costumes 'to avoid' at Dunedin's annual Hyde St keg party, Stuff.co.nz reported.

Thousands of street revellers are expected to attend the party in Dunedin's student quarter on Saturday from 9am.

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Revellers attend the Hyde St keg party in Dunedin, New Zealand in 2015

Two partygoers appear to be dressed in an 'Arab' costume, which has been banned at this year's party

But the warning has stirred controversial debate among students and prompted a series of sarcastic responses.

One social media user wrote that the world had 'completely lost the plot' while another said those that are 'easily offended' should not come.

Nathan Jones said, 'What's the world coming to when you can't joke about something.'

'if you are that easily offended please ... don't come,' he said.

Costumes mocking or based on stereotypes of LGBT people, e.g. Caitlyn Jenner costumes have been banned

But the warning has stirred controversial debate among students and prompted a series of sarcastic responses

The students' association, which helps street residents organise the party, said it does not choose or police themes for the Hyde St party - 'the themes are chosen by the residents of Hyde.'

The union released a comprehensive list of costumes and stereotypes to avoid this year:

'1. Blackface. Darkening the skin for a costume has a racist history and is unacceptable.

2. Racial or cultural stereotypes. Dressing as a stereotype of a race or culture is unacceptable eg. "Native Americans", "Mexicans", "Arabs"

3. Costumes mocking culturally sensitive events eg. slavery, police brutality, Nazis.

4. Costumes mocking or based on stereotypes of disabled people.

5. Costumes mocking or based on stereotypes of LGBT people, eg. Caitlyn Jenner costumes, cross-dressing as humour, 'camp' men costumes.

6. Costumes using gender based or sexual violence eg. Chris Brown, Bill Cosby.'

One social media user wrote that the world had 'completely lost the plot' while another said those that are 'easily offended' should not come

One user wrote, 'Cultural appropriation mightn't be a big deal to the white and privileged but it actually hits home for some people'

Some naively questioned why people would try to offend others while others supported the warning.

Cameron Abbey said partygoers should 'think about why your costume is funny'.

'If you aren't able to explain it to your lecturer without sounding like an intolerant dick, it's a s***t costume,' he said.

Aroha Raukura said, 'Cultural appropriation mightn't be a big deal to the white and privileged but it actually hits home for some people.'

The infamous street party was made a ticket-only event after partygoers caused a roof collapse in 2012

However, most commentators responded with dry humour and sarcasm.

'Native American costume out the window,' Campbell Dawson posted.

'What if I'm an Arab who dresses like an Arab?,' Brendan Hay posted.

'Are we [allowed] to have fun and smile?,' Ali Cargo asked.

'Is it OK if I whiteface?', Mika Vaitupu said.

Sarcastic responses include: 'Are we [allowed] to have fun and smile?'

'Is it OK if I whiteface?' one student asked after the union banned 'blackface' costumes this year

But the students' association maintains that 'racism, misogyny and cultural appropriation' should be avoided.

Confirmed themes for some of the Hyde St flats include 'The Mile Hyde Club', 'Golf Bros and Tennis Hoes', 'G.I Joes and Nava-Hoes' and 'Hyde gone Tribe'.

The infamous street party was made a ticket-only event after partygoers caused a roof collapse in 2012 and finishes much earlier, at 5.30pm.

More than 4000 tickets have been sold since Tuesday morning, crashing the student association's servers.

The association banned 'costumes using gender based or sexual violence e.g. Chris Brown, Bill Cosby'

More than 4000 tickets have been sold since Tuesday morning, crashing the student association's servers

Confirmed themes for some of the Hyde St flats include 'The Mile Hyde Club', 'Golf Bros and Tennis Hoes', 'G.I Joes and Nava-Hoes' and 'Hyde gone Tribe'