An 18-year-old university student arrested early this morning after climbing on to the roof of Cadbury's central Dunedin storage facility was heard shouting "I don't want to die."

The man, who police say was drunk, was expected to remain in custody until the effects of the alcohol had worn off.

He would appear in court later this week, Senior Sergeant Bruce Ross said.

Cumberland St, from Stuart St to St Andrew St, was blocked off between 11.45pm and 12.05am while police attempted to get the man off the roof, which was icy.

A Fire Service ladder was used to remove the man, who claimed he did not know how he got on the roof.

He had been heard by police shouting "I don't want to die".