Otago University students protest against proctor Dave Scott for removing several bongs from a student flat in Dunedin.

"I hear you and I see you," the University of Otago's bong-taking proctor told hundreds of protesting students.

Dave Scott addressed the protest on the university's Dunedin campus on Friday, telling the crowd he gave an apology on Tuesday and was "happy to repeat that apology".

"I hear you and I see you ... I have learnt from this error and I give an assurance it won't be repeated. I thank you for raising this with me and I acknowledge your right to protest," he said.

Jo McKenzie-McLean OUSA recreation officer and protest organiser Josh Smythe leads a large student protest to the proctor's office at the University of Otago on Friday.

Scott came under pressure this week after it was revealed he had entered a student flat without permission and removed three bongs from inside.

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Protest organiser Josh Smythe, who also launched a petition against the proctor, said the incident raised concerns about how much the university encroached on the private lives of its students.

HAMISH McNEILLY/STUFF University of Otago proctor Dave Scott speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, where he responded questions about his student flat bong confiscation.

He felt Friday's protest went well, as students gathered "peacefully, powerfully and shared how we have felt about issues that are really important".

Smythe delivered a "Dunedin student proctor code of conduct" to the proctor, which included three requests: Do not enter student flats without asking unless it is an emergency; don't take people's property; and treat students as equals in the community.

"I think he really got the message. He said, 'I'm not going to do this again'."

STUFF Otago University's proctor has been accused of entering student flats and removing their bongs.

Smythe said the protest was not his first course of action, but he was happy with the outcome.

"Instead of coming at us as children to be parentals to, they are treating us as young adults that have power within the community."

Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne said in a statement that the university strongly supported the students' free speech and their right to peaceful protest.

HAMISH McNEILLY/STUFF OUSA recreation officer Josh Smythe says he is happy with the outcome of Friday's "peaceful" protest.

"The university believes that the proctor's powers are already well-defined by existing policy and by the law, and that their scope is appropriate – given his role in supporting all members of the university as a community."

Hayne, who is currently out of town, said she looked forward to discussing student concerns with the current and incoming presidents of the Otago University Students' Association (OUSA) after she returned to Dunedin.

Second-year law student and protester Adam Curie said the march was about more than the proctor's actions.

HAMISH McNEILLY/STUFF University of Otago proctor Dave Scott speaks to media about the taking of bongs from student flats

"It's about the university exploiting students, going beyond the law and going towards student flats and entering them. We are saying to the proctor and to the university – because they have supported the proctor though all of his actions – that it's not OK.

"It's one thing not to be arrested, but it's another thing for the university to condone breaking the law and to condone abusing student rights."

Castle St resident Lily Bryden said it was her first protest and she felt there was a strong sense of community.

Tessa Parker said the protest was a good way to highlight the relationship between the proctor, the students and the wider community.

"Just because the flat is on Castle St it doesn't mean there were students living in that flat ... We just hope he is genuinely storry and rethinks how he interacts with the students."